Code Mask Definition dialog box

Use the Code Mask Definition dialog box to create, review, or revise an alphanumeric outline code format, or mask, for a custom outline code field or custom enterprise outline code field. Outline codes are custom tags for tasks that share traits, for example, A.45687.c or MGR; you can use them to group tasks, resources, or projects into a hierarchical structure that's meaningful to you when you view your project. For example, you can create outline codes to represent the job codes or cost accounting codes associated with tasks. You can then use one of the outline code fields to assign the appropriate outline codes to applicable tasks. You can also see summarized, or rolled-up, information about the grouping. You can:

• Define an outline code format, including the sequence, length, and separator for the outline code.

• See a preview of the outline code format.

Dialog box location

If you are an administrator, you can check out the enterprise global template and then edit enterprise outline codes. On the Tools menu, point to Customize, and then click Fields. Click Task, Resource, or Project. Click Outline Code in the Type box. In the Field box, click one of the 10 Outline Code fields, and then click Lookup. If necessary, click Code mask to expand the section. Click Edit Mask. (If you are not a project administrator with permissions to edit the enterprise outline codes, the button name is View Mask.).

Details

Code preview box

Displays a sample of the outline code as it would appear, using the sequence, length, and separator you're defining in the code mask table.

Code mask table

Use the code mask table to enter a different row for each outline level you're defining. Each level in sequence builds upon the other to create the complete outline code mask.

Level    Indicates the outline level that corresponds with the code mask being defined. This field is automatically incremented as you enter each additional level of the code mask.

Sequence    Enter the character type for the code mask. The choices are Numbers, Uppercase Letters, Lowercase Letters, and Characters. Use this combination to format your outline code to match codes in your organization or a scheme that you've created for your own purposes in the project.

Length    Enter a number representing the required length for this level of outline code. For example, if the first part of the code is always three characters, enter 3. Click Any if the outline code for this level can be any length. The maximum length for an outline code is 255 characters.

Separator    Enter the character to separate the outline code levels. The default separator is a period.

Note: 

• To assign an outline code to a task or resource, open a task or resource sheet view, and then click the field to the right of where you want to insert the outline code field. On the Insert menu, click Column. In the Field name box, click the name of the outline code field you defined. For each task or resource, enter the outline code that corresponds to the task or resource. Custom outline codes are also displayed on the Custom Fields tab of the Task Information and Resource Information dialog boxes.

• You can apply project outline codes within a master project the same way you apply task or resource outline codes. You can also view project custom outline codes and assign values to them in the Project Information dialog box.

• To group on an outline code in the task or resource sheet view, on the Project menu, point to Group by, and then click More Groups. In the More Groups dialog box, click New. In the Field Name field, click the custom outline code you've defined. Click OK, and then click Apply. The sheet is grouped by the outline code.