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Create WBS codes

In a nutshell,work breakdown structure (WBS)codes areoutlinenumbers that you can apply to

tasks and edit to match the specific needs of your business. Project automatically provides basic

outline numbers for each task, but you can apply your own customized outline scheme to theproject at any time.

What do you want to do? Create custom WBS codes

Renumber WBS codes

Use basic outline numbers

Create custom WBS codes

1. Click View, and then pick a sheet view, such as the Task Sheet or Resource Sheet.

2. Click Project. In the Propertiesgroup, click WBSand then click Define Code.

3. You can create a project-specific code in the Project Code Prefixbox. You can use numbers,

uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols.

4. To set the code for first-level tasks, in the first row in the Sequencecolumn, choose a

character type from the drop-down list. You can choose from numbers, uppercase or

lowercase letters, or a mix of numbers, letters, and other symbols.

5. In the Lengthcolumn, set the number of characters for each level of the code string.

Click Anyto allow any number of characters for that level.

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6. In the Separatorcolumn, pick a character to separate the code for one level from the code for

the next level.

The default separator is a period. You can choose others or choose not to have a separator

character at all.

NOTE The separator character cant also be used as part of a code.

7. Set a code string for each level of indented tasks in your outline.

To specify individual codes for each level, click the next row, and complete

the Sequence, Length, and Separatorcolumns.

8. If you don't want Project to automatically assign a WBS code each time that you enter a new

task, uncheck theGenerate WBS code for new taskcheck box.

9. To permit the use of the same WBS code for multiple tasks, uncheck the Verify uniqueness of

new WBS codescheck box.

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Renumber WBS codes

When you move or delete tasks, Project doesnt automatically renumber the WBS codes in case

youre using them in documents or other systems that are not linked to your Project file. Thismeans that the codes for the remaining tasks will likely be incorrect. Heres how to renumber

the WBS codes for all tasks or selected tasks:

1. Click View, and then pick a sheet view (such as the Task Sheet) that contains the tasks you

want to renumber.

2. Pick the tasks you want to renumber. The first task you pick will not be renumbered.

To renumber WBS codes for all tasks, don't select any tasks.

3. Click Project. In the Propertiesgroup, click WBSand then click Renumber.

4. Click Selected tasks to renumber the codes for the tasks you selected.

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Click Entire projectto renumber the codes for all tasks in the project.

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Use basic outline numbers

If you dont need the detailed structure provided by WBS codes, you can use a basic outline.

Project automatically creates an outline number for each task, based on where the task appearsin the structure of the task list. For example, the first task in your task list is numbered 1. If that

task has three subtasks, the subtasks are numbered 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.

Outline numbers consist of numbers only, and you cant edit them. They change automatically

when you move a task up or down in the task list and when youindentoroutdenttasks.

To show outline numbers, add the Outline Numberfield to atableorsheetview. You can also

add outline numbers directly to the task names:

1. Go to the Gantt Chart or Task Sheet.

2. Click Format, and then in the Show/Hidegroup, check Outline Number.

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