Exporting Packages to CSV (Including Tags)

[Damo]

I have just spent some time learning how to create UML Profile to assign Tags to Packages in the hope that when I export the packages to CSV that they can be included and viewed by my client.  Unfortunately the CSV export doesn't seem to include Tags.

Can anyone suggest if this is possible or a better way?

My aim is to export the up to date Package list every so often so the client can view the tagged info assign, e.g. % benefits, % effort etc.  It would be easiest in CSV so they can manipulate through Excel.

[mrf]

Hi Damo,

Tags can't be exported in the same file as the main data due to the inherent limitations of the CSV format. We suggest you either:

1. Export the data to XMI (and possibly use XSLT to transform it into a format you like.
2. Use the automation interface to output the data to a format you like.

[Matt]

'Damo'

Can I suggest that you have a look at Time Architect? http://timearchitect.net

This was one of the issues that we needed to solve when we wrote Time Architect (TA).  TA is not only a Project Management tool but is also a tool to manage your EA project files.

Please see the steps on how to achieve this:

• Install the free 30 day, fully functional evaluation version.  
• Please note you need the .NET 2.0 framework on your computer for TA to work.
  
• Right click on the Package that you are interested in and choose Add-In > Time Architect > Draw Gantt Chart
• (If you want info from the Package(s) below the one you clicked on then click on 'Include Child Packages' too)
• Click on 'Get Gantt Chart - Element View'
• TA will now draw a Gantt Chart - you can ignore this for now, you want the data behind the Gantt Chart so click the 'Show Grid' icon, to the left of the blue ? icon.
• TA will now show its grid mode
• Click on the arrow next to the Grid icon (same place as previously) and then click on the 'Tagged Values in the Grid' and select (tick) the tags you want to see in the grid.
• You can now optionally filter, sort and group the data...
• Now click on the Import/Export icon (to the left of the Camera)
• Choose Export to Excel (or with notes if you want the element notes too.)
• TA will now create a true WYSIWG MS Excel spreadsheet of the datagrid.

It may sound as though there are a few steps but it is actually really quick and really fast to do :D

In TA 2.1 (that should be out very soon), you will also be able to import from MS Excel to Tagged Values too.

TA can do a lot more than this, but this will save you needing to write your own plug-in...

If you need any more information then please feel free to ask via the Time Architect site or you can PM me through the forums here.

Best regards,

Matt