PA Project Upload creates and updates Oracle Projects projects from Excel – the project header, project manager, primary customer, dates, billing setup, flags and descriptive flexfield attributes – via the standard Oracle public API. New projects are copied from a project template you choose.
When to use it
- Mass-create new projects from a standard project template with consistent header and billing setup.
- Bulk-update header attributes (status, dates, description, billing setup, flags, flexfields) on many projects.
- Reassign the project manager across a set of projects.
- Set the primary customer at project creation for many projects at once.
- Populate project descriptive flexfield attributes in bulk.
- Standardize currency, rate and billing configuration across a project portfolio.
Before you start
- Blitz Report is installed and you are signed in to a responsibility with access to the operating unit.
- An active Oracle Projects project template exists in that operating unit – it is required for every new project.
- The project manager exists as an active person; for updates, the project already exists.
Step 1 – Choose a mode, set the parameters and download
In Blitz Report, open PA Project Upload, choose an Upload Mode (Create for an empty template, or Create, Update to download existing projects), and set the parameters:
| Parameter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Upload Mode | Create or Create, Update. Default is Create. |
| Operating Unit | The operating unit (required); drives the project pickers. |
| Project Number / Name / Type / Status | Restrict which existing projects are downloaded. |
Run the upload to download and open the Excel file. Each row is automatically handled as a create or an update depending on whether the project already exists in the operating unit.
Step 2 – Enter the projects
On each row enter the Operating Unit, Project Number, Project Name, the Template to copy from (required for a new project), the Project Manager, and the Start Date. Add any header, billing, currency, flag and flexfield values you need. The Customer Name sets the project’s primary customer.
Step 3 – Validate and Save
Click Validate and Save. This checks for missing required values and runs the upload’s validation (including the template’s own mandatory fields and field-length limits), then saves the file. Correct anything it flags before continuing.
Step 4 – Upload and view the result
Back in Blitz Report, click Upload and select your saved file. This submits the Blitz Upload request, which creates or updates each project. When it finishes, a result report opens showing each row as success or error.
What’s produced
- Created and updated projects with their project manager, primary customer and header/billing setup.
- A result report listing every row with a status (success or error) and a message.
Common questions
Do I have to pick a Template for every new project?
Yes. The Template is mandatory on create – it seeds the new project’s defaults. (This is an Oracle Projects project template, entered in the Template column.)
Can I change the customer or PM Product Code on an existing project?
No. Customer and PM Product Code are applied on creation only and are not changed during an update.
How does the upload know whether a row is a create or an update?
It checks whether a project with that Project Number already exists in that operating unit – found = update, not found = create. Upload Mode only controls what gets downloaded.
What happens to the project manager when I change it?
On update, the current manager is end-dated and the new one assigned from today. On create, if your manager differs from the template’s, the template manager is replaced.
Will an update overwrite fields I left blank?
No. Only changed fields are applied on update; unchanged fields are preserved.
Troubleshooting
| Message | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Template is required for project creation | A new project row has no Template value. | Pick an active project template for that operating unit and re-upload. |
| Project Number / Name / Long Name / Description exceeds the maximum length | A field is longer than its Oracle limit. | Shorten the value to within the limit. |
| Required for template: (lists fields) | The chosen template marks certain fields as mandatory and they are blank. | Fill the listed fields and re-upload. |
| Operating unit context could not be initialized | The operating unit isn’t accessible to the responsibility. | Run under a responsibility with access to that operating unit. |
| Project created but project-manager change reported a warning | The header succeeded but the manager assignment hit an API error. | Verify the project manager is a valid active person and re-run if needed. |