{"id":23247,"date":"2026-02-03T14:52:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T09:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nimblework.com\/knowledge-base\/nimble\/?post_type=article&p=23247"},"modified":"2026-02-17T16:28:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T10:58:35","slug":"exporting-and-importing-tasks-using-excel","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.nimblework.com\/knowledge-base\/nimble\/article\/exporting-and-importing-tasks-using-excel\/","title":{"rendered":"Exporting and Importing Tasks Using Excel"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Overview<\/h2>\n

Nimble provides the ability to export task plans to Excel so that multiple tasks can be updated offline and imported back into the application in a single click. This is intended to simplify bulk updates such as progress reporting, effort updates, and schedule-related changes, especially for large task plans. Export and import of task plans is supported for task modules created using Simple and Advanced Scheduling.<\/p>\n

Once tasks are exported, the system temporarily disables in-application editing to avoid conflicts. At this stage, updates must be completed either through Excel import or by undoing the Excel export.<\/p>\n

Exporting Tasks to Excel<\/h2>\n

To export a task plan, first ensure that the plan is in Checkin mode and that the CHECKOUT button is available.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. From the task plan toolbar, open the More options menu and select Export Tasks.
    \n\"\"<\/li>\n
  2. If you want to track resource assignments in a separate Excel sheet, click YES. Otherwise, click NO.
    \n\"\"<\/li>\n
  3. After selecting Export Tasks, the system downloads the task plan as an .xls or .xlsm file.
    \n\"\"
    \nFigure 3: Task plan exported as an Excel file<\/i><\/li>\n
  4. Once the export is completed, the\u00a0CHECKOUT\u00a0button becomes disabled and an Import Tasks option appears in the toolbar. This indicates that the task plan is now associated with the exported Excel file and that updates must be performed through Excel.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Working with the Exported Excel File<\/h2>\n

    When the exported file is opened in Excel, a security prompt is displayed indicating that the workbook contains macros.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. You must enable macros to allow validations, control field editability, and ensure that the file can be imported successfully back into Nimble.
      \n\"\"<\/li>\n
    2. After macros are enabled, the workbook prompts you to select how task actuals should be updated. You can choose either Actual Effort or % Work Complete.
      \n\"\"
      \nFigure 4: Selecting the task actuals update method<\/i><\/li>\n
    3. Only one option can be selected. Based on this selection, the corresponding column becomes editable and the other field is automatically disabled. This selection applies to all tasks in the workbook.<\/li>\n
    4. The Excel file clearly indicates which fields can be edited. Cells with a white background are editable and any values entered in these cells are considered during import. Greyed-out cells are read-only and are provided for reference only. Even if values are entered in greyed-out cells, those changes are ignored during the import process.
      \n\"\"
      \nFigure 5: Editable (white) and read-only (greyed-out) cells in the exported Excel file<\/i><\/li>\n
    5. Field editability also depends on the time tracking configuration used by the task module and sheet you’re in.\n
        \n
      1. For task plans that use\u00a0timesheet-based tracking, certain effort or progress fields are restricted.<\/li>\n
      2. For task plans that use\u00a0manual based tracking, additional progress-related fields may be editable. These rules ensure that imported values follow the same validation logic enforced within the Nimble application.<\/li>\n
      3. \u00a0You can update the Planned Start, Planned Finish, and Planned Effort with resource in the Assignments sheet.<\/li>\n
      4. \u00a0You can update the Planned Start, Planned Finish, and Planned Effort without resource in the Tasks sheet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Importing Tasks from Excel<\/h2>\n

        After completing the required updates in Excel, save the file and return to the task plan in Nimble.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. From the task plan toolbar, select Import Tasks and upload the updated Excel file.
          \n\"\"<\/li>\n
        2. During the import process, Nimble processes only values entered in editable (white) cells. Changes made to read-only fields are ignored, and invalid values are rejected. If the import does not complete successfully, error information is available through the Last Failure Details option in the toolbar.<\/li>\n
        3. Once the import is completed successfully, the updated values are applied to the task plan.
          \n\"\"<\/li>\n
        4. Tasks without resource assignments\u00a0(1st sheet \u2013 Tasks)\u00a0will use Planned Start, Planned Finish, and Planned Effort entered in the Tasks sheet when imported into Nimble.<\/li>\n
        5. Tasks with resource assignments\u00a0(2nd sheet \u2013 Assignments)\u00a0will use Planned Start, Planned Finish, and Planned Effort entered in the Assignments sheet when imported into Nimble.
          \n\"\"<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Undo Excel Export<\/h2>\n

          If you decide not to continue updating tasks through Excel, you can cancel the Excel workflow by selecting Undo Excel Export from the task plan’s More options. This action enables you to resume editing the task plan directly within the application.<\/p>\n

          After the export is undone and Export Tasks becomes available again, the Undo Excel Export option is no longer displayed.<\/p>\n

          Key Points to Remember<\/h2>\n