Following on from our Blog regarding issues importing Microsoft Project XML files in to Primavera P6 version 18, you may be still having problems with Microsoft Project XML files not importing properly. Fortunately, Oracle has a 2nd fix for this new bug.
It seems that the previous patch (18.8.8) for Primavera P6 Professional has an annoying bug that affects P6 XML file imports differently now. Unfortunately, one bug patch fix appears to create another. Yes, Primavera P6 Professional patch version 18.8.8 has a problem importing Microsoft Project XML files.
After applying the first P6 patch (18.8.8), Microsoft Project XML files now import but without any activity relationships. This is a big problem. The good news is that the latest patch for P6 Professional version 18.8.9 corrects both the P6 XML file import issue and the Microsoft Project XML (no activities) file import issue.
This article details a quick fix to correct a Microsoft Project XML import bug associated with Primavera P6 Professional patch version 18.8.8.
Microsoft Project XML Files P6 Import Bug
Yes again, one bug patch fix has a way of creating another bug. Primavera P6 Professional version 18.8 fails when trying to import P6 XML files. This bug occurs when the profile username log in contains a space. This is a major flaw in P6 version 18.8. P6 Professional patch version 18.8.8 corrects this issue, but in the process creates another bug issue. This time Microsoft Project XML files do not import correctly. As mentioned the files import, but with no relationships.
I considered installing earlier patch version 18.8.3, because it also resolves the P6 XML file import issue. I thought that maybe the Microsoft Project bug was introduced in later patches. Well, I examined my options and found that Oracle has provided a later patch; it is patch version 18.8.9. To my relief P6 Professional patch version 18.8.9 solves all the import issues. Primavera P6 Professional patch version 18.8.9 appears to be a stable version of P6 Professional, at least when it comes to file imports.
So, how do I get a hold of a copy of Primavera P6 patch version 18.8.9? Well, if you do not have oracle maintenance support you do not have access to the patches, which is a major setback. If you do have Oracle maintenance support then to find the patch and fix the bugs proceed to the Oracle support site here.
Log in to Oracle support and choose Patches & Updates, Figure 1.
Figure 1
In the patch search field choose the appropriate product, release, and platform. This is Primavera P6 Professional Project Management, patch version 18.8.9, and Microsoft Windows x64 (64-bit) platform. Run the search and Oracle support returns a list of patches, Figure 2, including patch version 18.8.9, which solves all our import problems.
Figure 2
Summary
Primavera P6 Professional version 18.8 and several related patches have various file import bugs. The good news is tht the very latest patch that corrects all these file import problems. Of course, you must have Oracle maintenance support to retrieve the patch. If you do, then installing Primavera P6 Professional patch version 18.8.9 will solve all the noted file import bugs.