May 06, 2014

In my previous blog post, I explained how to use custom fields to calculate GST in Microsoft Project. Now that we know how to do that, we can now use this custom field to calculate the 'Resources Standard Rate.' To calculate the 'Resources Standard Rate,' you'll need to first create a field for the 'Total Rate' including the GST amount. To do this, follow the steps listed below.

1. Open the Project file and make sure you're in the 'Resource Sheet' view.
2. In the Project tab (or the 'Resource Sheet Tools Format'), click the 'Custom Fields' button in the Properties group (or Columns group respectively). As you are in a resource view, the Resource option is already selected.
3. Since we want to create a 'Cost' field, select 'Cost' as the type.
4. Select the 'Cost 2' field and rename it as 'Total Rate.'
5. Click the 'Formula' button - we need to sum up the Standard Rate including the GST amount.
6. Using the 'Field' button, select the 'Cost – Standard Rate option' and click the '+' button.
7. Using the 'Field' button again, select the 'Cost – GST field' and click OK.
8. The message displayed is warning us that the existing data will be deleted. Click OK twice.

Now that we have set this up, the next step is to insert this field into the Resource table. You can insert this by following the three steps below.

1. Select the Ovt.Rate field.
2. Press the 'Insert' button on the keyboard.
3. Type “to” and Microsoft Project will select the 'Total Rate' field (rather than you scrolling down the list). Click on this. The customised 'Total Rate' field is now added to your table.

The same process above can be used in both Microsoft Project 2010 and 2013. If you are interested in learning more about the great functions and useful custom fields in Microsoft Project 2010 (or 2013), I recommend New Horizons' Microsoft Project 2010 or 2013 2-day training programs.