Microsoft project version (such as MPX and MPP) and Primavera version that you use is the only limitation for importing MSP projects into Primavera. You could convert MSP file structure before importing project into Primavera. The Project file including WBS will be imported into Primavera easily. Use File menu and import option and follow the wizard. The project you want to import data to it must be open.
The differences between Project WBS and Primavera Project WBS are as follows: In MSP there are no “WBS Name” and “WBS Path”, while in Primavera those fields exist. When Primavera imports a MSP file, values of “WBS” will be recorded and Primavera establishes “WBS Path” automatically, but the “WBS Name” values must be entered manually, or you can copy “Task Name” and paste it to “WBS Name” field instead. You may not use “Add Into”, “Replace”, and “Update” options for MSP projects.
To import Excel files (XLS format), the User must have been assigned “Super User” security profile, and the Excel file has to include the “USERDATA” sheet. The WBS field of the XLS file will be recorded properly only if you have the WBS structure for your file established in Primavera in advance.
So first verify the maximum number of sublevels in the longest branch of your MSP WBS. For example assume that the branch 6 starting with 1.6 and extended down to 1.6.4, 1.6.4.5, 1.6.4.5.1 and 1.6.4.5.1.8 is the longest WBS path of your excel sheet. So the longest sublevel has 5 sublevels. Let us call it “N”. Also verify the number of second levels immediately branched from the highest level of MSP WBS. For example 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,........, 1.15 introduces 15 immediate levels branched from the highest level of your excel file. Let us call it “M”. So you have to create a M X N structure. In Primavera, and in WBS window, create the first immediate level, and use copy and paste to develop the first branch to “N” sub-levels. Then Use copy and paste to develop the structure including “M” immediate levels. This way you will create a WBS structure with “M” number of immediate branches from the highest level (Project WBS identifier), and “each branch will have “N” number of sub levels. Creating a WBS including “N=5”, and “M=15” would not take more than few minutes. You can develop this WBS down to more branches and levels and could save it to use for future projects in either Project Management or Methodology Management modules.
Then with use of File menu and Export option, export data of this Primavera project file to Excel. Wizard will help you to do it. Make sure to create a map to include “Activity ID”, “Activity Name” and “WBS” when it is asked by the Wizard during the export process. The exported file will already have the USERDATA sheet included. Open both the exported and the source Excel files. Copy data from the Source excel file and paste it to the “TASK” sheet of the exported XLS file under the respective columns. Save the file. To import the completed Excel file back to Primavera, your project should be open in Primavera. Use File menu and Import option and import XLS file into Primavera. It will record “WBS” data and will establish “WBS Path” automatically. If you wish you could copy “Activity Name” one by one and paste it to “WBS Name”. Pasting could only be done on WBS display.