PA Task Upload creates and updates Oracle Projects tasks – the work breakdown structure under an existing project, with top tasks and subtasks – from Excel, via the standard Oracle public API.
When to use it
- Bulk-create a new work breakdown structure (top tasks plus subtasks) on an existing project.
- Add several subtasks under existing parent tasks in one pass.
- Mass-update task attributes – organization, task manager, work type, dates, billing/burden/transfer-price schedules, or the task flags.
- Apply consistent billing and burden setup across many tasks at once.
- Populate or update task-level descriptive flexfield values in bulk.
- Round-trip existing tasks (download, edit, re-upload) instead of editing them one at a time.
Before you start
- Blitz Report is installed and you are signed in to a responsibility with access to the operating unit.
- The project already exists – this upload does not create projects.
- For versioned-workplan projects, a working structure version exists.
Step 1 – Choose a mode, set the parameters and download
In Blitz Report, open PA Task Upload, choose an Upload Mode (Create for an empty template, or Create, Update to download existing tasks), 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 project’s tasks are downloaded. |
Run the upload to download and open the Excel file. Each task is automatically handled as a create or an update depending on whether it already exists in the project.
Step 2 – Enter the tasks
On each row enter the Project Number, the Task Number and Task Name. To nest a subtask, set its Parent Task Number to an existing task in the same project; leave it blank for a top task. Add the Organization, Task Manager, dates, classification and flags as needed.
Step 3 – Validate and Save
Click Validate and Save. This checks for missing required values and runs the upload’s validation, 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 task. When it finishes, a result report opens showing each row as success or error.
What’s produced
- Created and updated project tasks (top tasks and subtasks) in the work breakdown structure.
- A result report listing every row with a status (success or error) and a message.
Common questions
Can I create a project with this?
No. It only adds or updates tasks inside an existing project.
Can I delete a task?
No. There is no delete action or delete column.
How do I make a subtask?
Put the parent’s task number in the Parent Task Number column; leave it blank for a top-level task. The parent task must already exist.
Can I change a task’s number on update?
No. The task number is the key used to find the task; other attributes are updated.
Why did my upload fail with a structure-version error?
The project has workplan versioning enabled but no working structure version. Create one in Projects (Workplan tab) and re-run.
I can’t see another user’s project tasks – why?
You need the “PA: Cross Project User — Update” profile option enabled for your responsibility.
Troubleshooting
| Message | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Parent task number not found in project | The Parent Task Number doesn’t match an existing task in that project. | Correct the parent task number, or create the parent task first. |
| The structure version cannot be updated | A versioned-workplan project has no working structure version. | In Projects, open the Workplan tab and update the workplan to create a working version, then re-run. |
| 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. |
| Organization / work type / schedule is not valid | A supplied value isn’t valid for the task/project context. | Use the dropdowns to pick valid values that belong to the same operating unit/project. |
| API returned an unspecified error | The Oracle API failed without a message. | Check the request log and re-validate the row’s values against the source project setup. |