How to Open MPP File in Excel

.MPP file is a file extension that is used by Microsoft Project, project management software that is used for taking care of project plans. The software is mostly used by project managers and people who are part of the project management team. Its purpose is to give project managers a variety of tools and resources that will help them with their jobs.

Mpp files

The Microsoft Project has been around for approximately thirty eight years, that means the file extension exists as long as the Microsoft Project. Older versions of .MPP files that were created before 1998 can only be opened with Microsoft Project 1998.

You will definitely find this useful if you are a project manager. In this article, today, we are going to show you how you can open an .MPP file in Excel.

Here is how the Microsoft Project looks from the inside:

Microsoft Project

We are going to cover two ways to convert an .MPP file so you can open it in Excel. Also, we are going to note which method is the best for converting .MPP files. There is only special software that can finish that job. You can’t open an .MPP file with just Excel, regardless of the version that you have.

Microsoft Project Method

This is the first method that we are going to mention here, it’s one of the easiest and least demanding. If you want to convert an .MPP file to an Excel .XLS extension, you will have to either have Microsoft Project, or you can just do it online by visiting their web version. Sadly, you can’t use it with a personal Microsoft account, it has to be either work or business.

Microsoft Project has an option with which you can convert your .MPP file into a spreadsheet. It is nothing difficult to learn. The program is made simple so you can easily navigate through it. This method is the one that it’s best to rely on. It will not bother you that much.

To convert the file, you just have to:

  1. Launch Microsoft Project, or visit their website, project.microsoft.com
  2. Open the project that you want to make Excel compatible
  3. In the top right corner, you are going to find the three dots
  4. Click those three dots (…)
  5. And then select “Export to Excel”
  6. You will get a message if the conversion is successful
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After you get the message, search for your file where your downloads are located, and it will be there, waiting for you, to finally open it in Excel.

Microsoft Project export to Excel

You can use Microsoft Project to export the MPP file to an Excel workbook. To do this, open the MPP file in Microsoft Project, go to the “File” tab, click “Save As,” and select “Excel Workbook” from the drop-down menu. Then, select a location to save the file and click “Save.”

Once you have opened the MPP file in Microsoft Excel, you need to save it as an Excel workbook. To do this, go to the “File” tab, click “Save As” and choose “Excel Workbook” from the drop-down menu. Then, select a location to save the file and click “Save.”

Online Converter Method

Luckily, this method is free. It doesn’t come with any expenses, and you can easily convert your file without any issues. You will easily find your way around, since the

All you need to have is a search engine where you are going to write “.MPP to .XLS” or “MMP to Excel” converter, and you are going to get exactly what you wanted. There are really low chances that you are going to miss, so this one should be good for those who can’t really afford the Microsoft Project.

There is a high possibility that these sites are going to be full of annoying or maybe even malicious advertisements, so be on the lookout for that, or you can just install an adblocker which will make all those ads disappear. And don’t enter every site that you see. Be wary and avoid all suspicious websites.

Here is an example of what an average .MPP to Excel website should look like:

mpp to excel xls converter

Follow these steps afterwards:

  1. Drop or upload the file that you want to
  2. Click “Convert Now”
  3. And then you’ll just have to download the file that you converted

Use Microsoft Project Viewer to Open the MPP file in Excel

If you don’t have Microsoft Project installed on your computer, you can use Microsoft Project Viewer to open the MPP file in Excel. Microsoft Project Viewer is a free tool that allows you to view and print Microsoft Project files without having Microsoft Project installed on your computer. To use Microsoft Project Viewer to open the MPP file in Excel, download and install Microsoft Project Viewer, then open the MP file using the program. Once the file is open in Microsoft Project Viewer, you can then export the file to an Excel workbook using the steps outlined above.

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Limitations of Opening MPP Files in Excel

While it is possible to open MPP files in Excel, there are some limitations to this approach.

  • Data loss: When an MPP file is converted to an Excel workbook, some data may be lost. This is because Excel does not support all of the data types that are used in MPP files.
  • Formatting: The formatting of the data in an MPP file may not be preserved when it is converted to an Excel workbook. This can make it difficult to read and understand the data.
  • Compatibility: Not all versions of Excel can open MPP files. If you are using an older version of Excel, you may not be able to open the MPP file.

If you need to preserve all of the data in an MPP file and maintain its formatting, it is best to open the file in Microsoft Project. However, if you only need to view the data in the MPP file, then opening it in Excel is a viable option.

Here are some tips for working with MPP files in Excel:

  • Use a recent version of Excel. The newer versions of Excel are more likely to be able to open MPP files and preserve their data and formatting.
  • Save the Excel workbook as a .csv file. This will help to prevent data loss when you open the file in another program.
  • Use a text editor to view the MPP file. This can be helpful if you need to see the raw data in the file.

By following these tips, you can avoid some of the limitations of opening MPP files in Excel.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about opening MPP files in Excel:

  • Q: Can I open an MPP file in Excel without Microsoft Project?
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A: Yes, you can open an MPP file in Excel using an online converter. However, it is important to note that some data may be lost or the formatting may not be preserved when you convert the file.

  • Q: What are the limitations of opening MPP files in Excel?

A: There are a few limitations to opening MPP files in Excel. First, some data may be lost when the file is converted. Second, the formatting of the data may not be preserved. Third, not all versions of Excel can open MPP files.

  • Q: What are some alternatives to opening MPP files in Excel?

A: There are a few alternatives to opening MPP files in Excel. One alternative is to use Microsoft Project Viewer. Microsoft Project Viewer is a free tool that allows you to view and print Microsoft Project files without having Microsoft Project installed on your computer. Another alternative is to use an online MPP viewer. Online MPP viewers allow you to view MPP files without having to download any software. Finally, you can also use an MPP to Excel converter. MPP to Excel converters allow you to convert MPP files to Excel workbooks.

  • Q: What is the best way to open an MPP file?

A: The best way to open an MPP file depends on your needs. If you need to preserve all of the data in the file and maintain its formatting, the best way to open the file is in Microsoft Project. However, if you only need to view the data in the file, then opening it in Excel is a viable option.

Conclusion

The best option is the free online converter. You just have to be cautious and nothing wrong is going to happen. Equip yourself with an adblocker and you are good to go.

It is free and easily accessible for everyone. It finishes its job fast enough without using many resources.

If none of these two methods that we mentioned work properly. Then check if the .MPP file extension is really .MPP, you could’ve mistaken it for something else.

And if that didn’t help you, then there is a high possibility that something happened to your file while downloading it. It’s probably corrupted. Try doing that again.