PRJ98: "The Entry in the Value(s) Field Is Not Valid" Error When Creating Filter (240865)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project 98 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q240865

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Project 98, when you create a filter in the Filter Definition dialog box, you may receive the following error message:
The entry in the Value(s) field is not valid.

CAUSE

Cause 1: Invalid Field Comparison

This error message may occur if the field selected in the Value(s) column is not a valid comparison for the field you are filtering on in the Field Name column. For example, you receive the error message if you create the following filter:

And/OrField NameTestValue(s)
Baseline Finishequals[Start1]

This occurs because the Start1 field is not a valid value to test against the Baseline Finish field. However, the Finish1 field (for example) is a valid value to test against the Baseline Finish field.

Cause 2: Invalid Field Comparison with the Constraint Date field

This behavior also occurs if you create a filter that compares the Constraint Date field to a finish date-related field, such as the Baseline Finish field.

You can only compare the Constraint Date field to the following:
  • Start date-related fields, such as the Baseline Start field
  • Created, Date1 through Date10, or Resume fields
  • Specific dates that you type in the Value(s) column in the Filter Definition dialog box

Cause 3: Incorrect Data Type

This error message may also occur if you type an incorrect data type in the Value(s) column for the field you are filtering against in the Field Name column. For example, this error message occurs if you filter on the Finish field, and type text in the Value(s) column, rather than a date.

WORKAROUND

Workaround for Cause 1

Choose Value(s) fields that are valid for the field that you are filtering on. In general, if you are filtering on a finish-type field (Finish, Actual Finish, Baseline Finish, and so on), use a finish-type field for the Value(s) column of the filter. The same concept applies to start-type fields.

In addition, date fields must filter on date values; number fields must filter on numbers. Text fields can filter on dates, numbers and text.

To view which fields are valid for you to use in the Value(s) column for the field you are filtering against in the Filtering column, follow these steps:
  1. On the View menu, click More Views.
  2. In the Views list, click Task Sheet if you are going to filter on tasks, or click Resource Sheet if you are going to filter on resources.
  3. Click Apply.
  4. Insert a column in the table for the field that you are going to filter on.
  5. On the Project menu, point to Filtered for, and then click AutoFilter.
  6. In the field that you are going to filter on, click the AutoFilter drop-down arrow (the arrow near the column name), and then click Custom.
  7. To view the list of valid fields, click the drop-down arrow in the box to the right of the comparison operator box.
For more information about inserting columns in a table, click Contents and Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab in Project Help, type the following text

insert a column

and then double-click the selected text to go to the "Add a column to a table" topic. If you are unable to find the information you need, ask the Office Assistant.

Workaround for Cause 2

To create a filter that compares the Constraint Date field to finish date-related fields, copy the values of the finish-related field and paste them in the Date1 field. Then, create a filter that compares the Constraint Date field to the Date1 field. To do this, follow these steps:

NOTE: If the Date1 field is already in use, you can use any of the additional date fields Date2 through Date10.

Copy the Finish-Related Field Values and Paste Them in the Date1 Field

  1. On the View menu, click Gantt Chart.
  2. Click in any column on the table portion of the Gantt Chart.
  3. On the Insert menu, click Column.
  4. In the Field Name list, click the finish-related field that you want to compare to the Constraint Date field. Click OK.
  5. On the Insert menu, click Column.
  6. In the Field Name list, click Date1 (optionally you can use Date2 through Date10). Click OK.
  7. Click the header of the finish-related column to select the column.
  8. On the Edit menu, click Copy Cell.
  9. Click the header of the Date1 field.
  10. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
NOTE: After you copy and paste the finish-related field values, you can hide the finish-related and Date1 fields. Select the header of the column, and on the Edit menu, click Hide Column.

Additionally, the Date1 fields are not updated when finish-related field values change. Repeat the previous steps anytime the field values change.

Create a Filter to Compare the Constraint Date Field with the Date1 Field

  1. On the Project menu, point to Filtered for, and click More Filters.
  2. Click New.
  3. Type the following values:

    And/OrField NameTestValue(s)
    Constraint Dateequals[Date1]

    In this example, this filter compares the Constraint Date values to the Date1 field.
  4. If you want, type a name for the filter in the Name box.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Apply to apply the filter.

Workaround for Cause 3

Use appropriate values in the Value(s) column for the field you are filtering on in the Field Name column. For example, if you are filtering on a date field (Start, Finish, Date1, and so on), type a value in a date format similar to 10/6/99. If you are filtering on a duration field, type a value in a format similar to 1d or 1 day.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/17/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB240865
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.