A Microsoft Undertaking plan file, or an MPP file, is a file format that’s unique to Microsoft Undertaking. This implies customers must buy Microsoft Undertaking to open them. In any other case, utilizing and extra importantly, sharing MS Undertaking information, will trigger issues. Nevertheless, you may keep away from these hurdles when you have a Microsoft Undertaking viewer to view and edit MPP information.
What Is a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer?
A Microsoft Undertaking viewer, also referred to as an MPP viewer, is software program that means that you can open MPP information with out having to buy a Microsoft Undertaking license. MPP viewers had been created as a workaround for customers that must open MPP information however don’t have Microsoft Undertaking as a consequence of drawbacks corresponding to a excessive value, steep studying curve or lack of compatibility with Mac.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that whereas Microsoft Undertaking viewers allow you to open MPP information, they don’t provide the identical undertaking planning, scheduling or monitoring instruments as Microsoft Undertaking. An MPP viewer isn’t equal to project management software, however a a lot less complicated device that may solely be used to visualise information out of your MPP information.
Should you’re in search of an MPP viewer with related options to Microsoft Undertaking, it is best to attempt ProjectManager. ProjectManager is greater than only a Microsoft Undertaking viewer, it’s on-line undertaking administration software program that means that you can open, print, share and edit MPP information on-line. Extra importantly, ProjectManager means that you can use all of the undertaking administration options you anticipate from Microsoft Undertaking corresponding to Gantt charts, kanban boards, undertaking calendars and extra. Get began right now without spending a dime.
Why Ought to You Use a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer?
There are a number of the explanation why Microsoft Undertaking may not be one of the best undertaking administration device for some organizations, which causes undertaking managers to search for Microsoft Project alternatives, corresponding to MPP viewers. Listed below are a few of them.
Microsoft Undertaking Is Costly
The worth level is without doubt one of the difficulties that one encounters instantly with MS Undertaking. Microsoft Undertaking requires a month-to-month subscription that begins at $10/month/person, however you don’t get loads of options with it. The extra superior cloud-based subscription will set you again $55 per 30 days/person. The on-premise Microsoft Undertaking resolution is even pricier: the worth vary is $679.99 for Undertaking Normal 2021 to over $1,129.99 for the Undertaking Skilled 2021 version.
Microsoft Undertaking Is Arduous to Use
Whereas the brand new Microsoft Undertaking On-line provides extra flexibility to the product and is actually an enchancment over the desktop model, the training curve remains to be steep. It’s not a user-friendly interface and sharing information isn’t straightforward. Microsoft gives its Sharepoint as a method to share information, however even their resolution is pricey and never straightforward to make use of. Add to that the shortage of a real-time dashboard, and you may see why persons are motivated to search out an alternate.
Microsoft Undertaking Is Not Accessible for Mac Customers
For these initiatives which are being managed on a Mac OS system, the issues are a lot worse. Microsoft Undertaking doesn’t assist Apple merchandise. That ignores enormous industries, corresponding to publishing and design.
You may keep away from these drawbacks by utilizing a Microsoft Undertaking viewer. Microsoft Undertaking viewers are an excellent substitute for all variations of MS Undertaking, together with Microsoft Project Online, as most of them allow you to open MPP information on-line.
Key Options of a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer
Whereas every Microsoft Undertaking viewer has completely different options and distinctive performance, most Microsoft Undertaking viewers enable you and your group to:
- Open MPP information: View Microsoft Undertaking information on-line.
- Share Microsoft Undertaking information: MPP viewers allow you to export MPP information as Excel or CSV information which helps you to share them with non-MS Undertaking license holders.
- Print MPP information: Most MPP viewers can help you print the content material of your Microsoft Undertaking information.
Nevertheless, whereas they’re useful, it’s vital to know that Microsoft Undertaking viewers aren’t project management software like Microsoft Undertaking and due to this fact may lack vital undertaking administration instruments. If you need the closest expertise to Microsoft Undertaking, you may attempt ProjectManager, on-line undertaking administration software program that allows you to use superior undertaking administration options to:
- Handle MPP information on-line utilizing undertaking administration instruments corresponding to Gantt charts, kanban boards, undertaking dashboards and timesheets.
- Create undertaking schedules and use undertaking monitoring instruments.
- Discover the essential path of your initiatives.
- Collaborate together with your group on-line.
- View real-time undertaking dashboard information.
- Export up to date information as XML again into MS Undertaking.
Let’s go over the method of utilizing ProjectManager as a complicated Microsoft Undertaking viewer and editor.
Learn how to Use ProjectManager as a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer
With ProjectManager, you may import and export Microsoft Undertaking information with out shedding any information because of its on-line storage. Plus, you may view and edit MPP information earlier than exporting your modifications and sharing them together with your group members. Better of all, our MPP viewer works on each Home windows and Mac computer systems with out requiring any downloads.
1. Begin a Free 30-Day Trial
To view and edit MS Undertaking information in your laptop (Home windows or Mac), you could first start your free 30-day trial. Select any plan you want, as they’re all appropriate with Microsoft Undertaking, and every plan allows you to seamlessly import, export, view and edit MPP information. When you’ve chosen a plan, ProjectManager is free for 30 days and could be canceled at any time—no strings connected!
Observe the walkthrough under to view and edit your MPP information in ProjectManager.
2. Use the Gantt Chart to Import Your MPP File
Launch the Gantt chart device and click on on the import button. You’ll find it on the highest proper of your display screen. It’s the one with the image that appears like a field with an arrow piercing it on high. When you import your file, you should utilize ProjectManager as an internet MPP file viewer and editor and use all its undertaking administration options to edit your Microsoft Undertaking plan.
3. Get Your MPP File
Discover the MPP file you need to work on. A popup window will ask which undertaking file you want to import. When you’ve chosen it, hit subsequent. Ensure that your file has the correct MPP file extension.
4. Choose Your Choices
Observe the alternatives listed on the brand new popup menu. Now you can add the imported MS undertaking file to an current undertaking or open it as a brand new one, in addition to change the info or preserve it.
5. Import the MPP File into Our Microsoft Undertaking Viewer
Select the way you need to import the Microsoft Undertaking file. You will get all the info from it or simply the duty record. It’s as much as you. Select whichever possibility offers you extra choices in the case of effectively viewing and enhancing your MPP file.
6. Get Began Viewing & Modifying Your MPP File!
See that window that claims success? Which means you’ve imported the file and now you may share it, edit it and, if you would like, export it again to MS Undertaking, with none hassles. Your undertaking will seem on the Gantt chart at first, however you may handle it in any of the undertaking views accessible on our on-line platform. It’s Microsoft Project integration executed proper.
What MPP File Variations Does ProjectManager Open?
Microsoft Undertaking is a software program that has existed for many years, so there are numerous forms of MPP information which have been developed over time. ProjectManager will can help you open any 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007 .MPP file codecs.
This implies you should utilize ProjectManager as an MS Undertaking Viewer for the next variations of Micorosoft Undertaking:
- Microsoft Undertaking 2021
- Microsoft Undertaking 2019
- Microsoft Undertaking 2016 (with Workplace 365 subscription)
- Microsoft Undertaking 2013
- Microsoft Undertaking 2010
- Microsoft Undertaking 2007
Advantages of Utilizing ProjectManager as a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer
We’ve already discovered that ProjectManager has all of the Microsoft Undertaking options you’re aware of, at a a lot decrease price and a extra pleasant person interface than Microsoft Undertaking. Listed below are much more advantages from utilizing ProjectManager as your Microsoft Undertaking viewer.
- Open MPP information On-line: View Microsoft Undertaking information on-line, even when you used desktop variations of Microsoft Undertaking to create them.
- Edit MPP information On-line: Use any of ProjectManager’s undertaking administration instruments to make modifications to your MPP information.
- Print MPP information: Print the content material of your Microsoft Undertaking information in numerous codecs corresponding to Gantt charts, activity lists, or undertaking calendars.
- Import and Export Recordsdata from Microsoft Undertaking: If it is advisable export the info again to MS Undertaking, you may merely click on “export,” and it’ll open in MS Undertaking with all the info updates intact. ProjectManager can be appropriate with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Outlook and greater than 1,000 enterprise apps.
- Share Microsoft Undertaking information in a number of codecs: ProjectManager is an internet MPP viewer that allows you to export MPP information as Excel or CSV information so you may share them with non-MS Undertaking license holders. Export up to date information as XML again into MS Undertaking.
- Reduce Down Prices: ProjectManager is an economical resolution when in comparison with Microsoft Undertaking and most Microsoft Undertaking viewers. It means that you can use the identical options as Microsoft Undertaking at a fraction of the price.
- Handle Your Initiatives On-line: As soon as your Microsoft Undertaking information are seamlessly imported on-line, you may handle and share your initiatives 100% on-line, safely and securely, so you may collaborate together with your group. All the things from MS Undertaking transfers over, together with formatting corresponding to colour coding.
- Helps All Microsoft Undertaking Views: Edit MPP information on-line utilizing undertaking administration instruments corresponding to Gantt charts, kanban boards, undertaking dashboards and timesheets, in contrast to different MPP viewers which don’t solely assist a number of Microsoft Undertaking views.
5 Microsoft Undertaking Viewers With Free & Paid Plans (On-line & Desktop Options)
Should you’re simply in search of a Microsoft Undertaking viewer and nothing else, there are some light-weight choices which may curiosity you. All work as a free Microsoft Undertaking viewer, even on Mac, and a few could be discovered within the Microsoft Retailer.
These instruments may not have the options that undertaking managers want, corresponding to Gantt charts, cloud storage, and so forth., however they’ll act as an internet MPP viewer and make these cussed MPP information workable for iOS, Android and Home windows customers alike.
1. Undertaking Plan 365
Project Plan 365 is a Microsoft Undertaking viewer that may open and save Microsoft Undertaking information. It imports and exports seamlessly to collaborate with MS Undertaking. It really works with Mac and has a cloud interface to work on-line or a downloadable model on your macOS gadgets. A profit for Microsoft Undertaking customers is that this free MPP viewer has a well-known really feel to that device.
Customers have complained that the software program crashes, particularly if charts are extra sophisticated. One other situation is that clients have complained of bugs, such because the device doesn’t sync with Dropbox. Whereas it guarantees quite a bit, corresponding to Gantt charts, it doesn’t at all times ship. When it does, the subscription value for the paid model is excessive.
2. Undertaking Viewer 365
Project Viewer 365 is one other light-weight Microsoft Undertaking viewer. It permits customers to view, learn, share and print MPP information. It has cloud-based integration with Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox and SharePoint. Pricing begins at $29.99 for one license, although there’s a free MPP viewer, and it really works with PCs, Macs, and any net browser.
Whereas it is a first rate on-line MPP viewer, it’s nothing else. Should you’re solely utilizing Microsoft Undertaking, then this may be a effective workaround to view information with groups and distributors that might in any other case require the acquisition of extra MS Undertaking licenses. Nevertheless it’s so barebones and even with a free model, it’s not definitely worth the cash to have one other app that does just one factor.
3. Seavus Undertaking Viewer
There’s additionally Seavus Project Viewer, one other MS Undertaking viewer that helps all of the views accessible on Microsoft Undertaking and MS Undertaking Skilled, together with graphical experiences. Just like the others on this record, the person interface mimics that of MS Undertaking for ease of use. It even has Skype for Enterprise integration and a activity replace collaboration add-in.
The difficulty is, that is one other costly MPP viewer at $39 for a one-time person. There’s a free trial however that’s not going to assist clients who want a long-term resolution. As an MS Undertaking viewer, you might do worse, however once more, there are not any different undertaking administration options. The thought of spending cash on a product that does just one factor means you’ll finally have a handful of costly apps that may do however one factor when there are reasonably priced options that may view MPP information and far more.
4. Steelray MPP Viewer
Steelray is an MPP viewer that means that you can learn information from MPP information in the entire identical views that Microsoft Undertaking has, together with Gantt chart, timeline, community diagram and calendars. Moreover opening all Microsoft Undertaking file codecs, it could actually open Primavera Primavera P6 .XER information too. Most likely the principle benefit of Steelray is that it’s a reasonable Microsoft Undertaking viewer for $35 per person per yr.
Sadly, Steelray is an on-premises resolution that must be downloaded and put in in your laptop, which implies you gained’t be capable of open MPP information on-line, from any system such as you would with an internet MPP viewer. Its options are additionally very restricted and are designed for customers that simply must have entry to MPP information in a read-only view.
5. Undertaking Reader
Project Reader is a light-weight MS Undertaking viewer that focuses on useful resource administration. Its essential benefit is that it could actually open all kinds of Microsoft Undertaking file codecs corresponding to MPP information, MPT information and XML information. It will probably open Microsoft Undertaking information from 1998 to 2019.
Nevertheless, it solely gives a few of the undertaking administration views from Microsoft Undertaking corresponding to Gantt charts, useful resource sheet, useful resource utilization and activity utilization. One other large drawback is that it’s an on-premises resolution and its person interface seems and feels very outdated in comparison with most Microsoft Undertaking viewers. A Undertaking Reader license prices $29 per person per yr, the worth can go all the way down to $23 per person per yr if you are going to buy greater than 20 licenses, which makes it an economical different for bigger organizations.
Should you’re in search of a robust device that has a free model and completely different subscription tiers to match your wants and never break your pockets, you’ll need an MS Undertaking viewer corresponding to ProjectManager. It not solely views however edits and shares your MMP information. In actual fact, you may simply surrender Microsoft Undertaking altogether.
Why ProjectManager Is the Finest On-line Microsoft Undertaking Viewer
If you’ve imported your MS Undertaking File into an internet Microsoft Undertaking viewer with the capability to edit MPP information, like ProjectManager, you’re given free rein to work, whether or not you’re utilizing Home windows, Mac, iOS or Android gadgets. The Microsoft Undertaking information are absolutely imported into your on-line MS Undertaking viewer.
Now that you simply’re within the MPP file, there are completely different undertaking views accessible to you once you work. Let’s check out some revolutionary methods to make use of an MS Undertaking viewer with undertaking administration options, like ProjectManager, and see how this device may help you’re employed extra effectively.
1. On-line Gantt Charts
If you import an MPP file to ProjectManager, the project plan and Gantt chart instantly populate on-line, preserving your customized columns and settings like color-coding, WBS and activity dependencies, in addition to importing assets and assignments. You may then instantly view your undertaking plans on-line and handle them together with your group as soon as invited to the net undertaking.
This contains collaborating together with your group on duties immediately on the Gantt chart, which allows you to obtain alerts when your group members have up to date their duties with feedback or file attachments. You can even handle initiatives in a portfolio, create undertaking teams and handle activity dependencies throughout initiatives.
2. On-line Timesheets & Useful resource Administration
If you import Microsoft Undertaking plans on-line to ProjectManager, you get greater than an MS Undertaking viewer. You may handle your initiatives on-line, together with managing useful resource time, prices and updates.
Since your useful resource information is imported, you may share the net undertaking plans together with your group and invite them to replace timesheets. That is excellent for groups within the area; they’ll replace duties and timesheets anytime, wherever, and also you get electronic mail alerts when their timesheets are prepared for approval.
3. Populate Actual-Time Dashboards
If you import an MPP file into ProjectManager, for instance, your real-time dashboard is immediately populated, displaying you on the spot views of your undertaking information. You may surprise, when you’ve by no means seen a real-time view of your undertaking information, why you would need a project dashboard? The advantages are clear upon import. You may see at-a-glance:
- Undertaking well being
- Job standing
- Group workload standing
- Prices
- And extra
With ProjectManager, your MPP information are super-powered. Now they’ll mirror real-time modifications in your undertaking. You may simply share paperwork that had been too large to electronic mail. Import and export are a breeze, the viewer can do all of the formatting for you, and better of all, your undertaking information immediately populate your dashboard with colourful charts and graphs. Able to attempt it? Sign up for a 30-day free trial now.
ProjectManager Is Extra Than a Microsoft Undertaking Viewer: It’s an MPP File Editor
ProjectManager isn’t only a free MS undertaking viewer. It’s a Microsoft Undertaking different that can be utilized as an MPP file editor or a fully-featured undertaking administration software program that provides you full management over your initiatives. If you import and export MS Project plans, you need to have the power to work on them and entry undertaking administration options.
With information roundtripping, your imported information columns don’t need to be “mapped,” like in different undertaking viewers. The information instantly and seamlessly is imported into the correct locations, so you may proceed your undertaking planning and scheduling proper there on-line!
With a complicated MPP editor, you may:
- Open MPP information
- Handle MPP information on-line
- View deliberate, baselines and WBS
- See & replace activity dependencies
- Merge assets & their charges
- Merge assignments
- Collaborate together with your group on-line
- View real-time dashboard information
- Export up to date information as XML into MS Undertaking
As soon as your Microsoft Undertaking information are seamlessly imported on-line, you may handle and share your initiatives 100% on-line, safely and securely, so you may collaborate together with your group. All the things from MS Undertaking transfers over, together with formatting corresponding to colour coding.
Group members can replace duties on the Gantt and add attachments and feedback. So you may proceed planning in only a few clicks. Plus, if it is advisable export the info again to MS Undertaking, you may merely click on “export,” and it’ll open in MS Undertaking with all the info updates intact. ProjectManager can be appropriate with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Outlook and greater than 1,000 enterprise apps.
Associated: Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner
Microsoft Undertaking Viewers FAQ
Microsoft Undertaking is a really generally used undertaking administration software program however isn’t one of the best device. That’s why there are lots of Microsoft Undertaking viewer instruments which have been developed for many who don’t need to use MS Undertaking however nonetheless must open and share MPP information. Listed below are a few of the most steadily requested questions on-line about Microsoft Undertaking viewers.
What’s the finest Microsoft Undertaking viewer?
ProjectManager is one of the best Microsoft Undertaking viewer. It’s an internet undertaking administration software program that allows you to flawlessly import and edit MPP information.
Is there any Free Microsoft Undertaking viewer?
Sure, there are a number of free MPP viewers accessible on-line, corresponding to within the Microsoft Retailer, Google Play Retailer and Apple’s App Retailer.
Are you able to view MS Undertaking information with out MS Undertaking?
Sure, you should utilize a Microsoft Undertaking viewer, MPP file editor or higher but, undertaking administration software program.
Can I edit MPP information with a Microsoft Undertaking viewer?
No, Microsoft Undertaking viewers don’t can help you edit MPP information. With an MPP viewer, you may solely learn, share and print MPP information.
Associated Content material
Should you’re utilizing Microsoft Undertaking, then search for options that will help you share your work together with your group and stakeholders. With an internet Undertaking viewer and online project management software device like ProjectManager, you are able to do extra than simply view your information. You may seamlessly handle your MPP information on-line, replace and collaborate on plans on-line, handle timesheets together with your group, view real-time undertaking information, and a lot extra. See for yourself with this free 30-day trial!