Skip to content
English
Contact Support
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Import activities from a master schedule

Note: This function is only accessible by users with plan administrator or edit all permissions. Learn more about permission levels.

What are master activities? 

Master activities represent scheduled tasks that come from scheduling software tools like Oracle® Primavera P6, Microsoft® Project and Asta Powerproject®. These activities are typically exported from a centralized master schedule and imported into Nialli™ Visual Planner’s phase pull view for coordination and planning. 

Importing master activities lets your team: 

  • Use scheduled activities that have been previously captured.
  • Align field-level plans with overall project sequencing.
  • Compare the scheduled plan with actual construction progress plans.
  • Create editable phase pull tags based on the scheduled tasks. 

Master activities are view-only and not editable. You can drag and convert them into editable tags within the phase pull view when needed, or you can import them directly into a working phase pull lane. 

Note: If you also import master milestones alongside master activities, both will be grouped under a single master schedule lane. 

 Preparing your Excel file for import 

Before importing activities from the master schedule, you must format the Excel® file correctly: 

  • Export the required activities from your source scheduling software (e.g., P6, Microsoft Project, Asta). 
  • Download and use the official Excel template: Download Excel template (You can also download it directly from the Import master activities dialog.) 

Note: 

  • When importing activities from the master schedule, it is recommended you select a manageable sequence or phase of activities leading to a milestone. Typically, this is up to 50 activities.
  • The maximum duration per activity is 20 days. For longer durations, split them into multiple activities.
  • To make changes after importing activities to the plan, update the Excel file and reimport it. 

Importing the master activities

  1. In the side menu on the left, click the Phase pull button.
  2. In the Phase pull dialog, click Import master activities.
  3. A dialog will appear titled Import master activities, including:
    • “A master activity lane will be created or updated.”
    • A Download template button to get the required Excel file.
  4. Click Select file to source the prepared Excel file or Cancel to exit.
  5. Use your file browser to select the Excel file with the master activities.
  6. The system will import and generate the Master activities lane, which:
    • Has a distinct gray color.
    • Matches the trade tag colors when the resource column matches a trade name in the plan.
    • Displays imported tasks in a collapsed lane (expandable by using the three-dot drag handle).
    • Organizes tags by start date (horizontal) and Excel line number (vertical).
    • Treats imported tags as immovable and non-editable. 

Note: This import process can also be started by entering Phase pull after pressing the Phase pull settings button. 


Moving master activities to the phase pull lane 

After importing master activities, you can begin pulling them into the actual plan: 

  1. Drag and drop a master activity tag from the gray master activities lane to a phase pull lane.
  2. This opens the Add activity to phase pull dialog. Fill in the following:
    • Activity name — pre-filled
    • Schedule ID — pre-filled
    • Trade — required
    • Number of days — default is 1
    • Crew size — default is 1
  3. Click Save to create the editable tag or Cancel to discard. 

Note: Each derived tag is linked to the original master activity through its schedule activity ID. When you select a master activity, its related phase pull tags will be highlighted automatically. You can create multiple phase pull activities from a single master tag if needed.