Custom multiline text field doesn't retain input after editing and saving

So, I resolved this initial problem.  I created a new .aspx page and added the multiline text fields to it, and presto, it worked.  The multiline text even shows up on the Project Details page where I initially added the fields. Now I have a second issue. My overall intent was to build a PowerBI report on top of this information (a status report). On the report, most of the fields look fine but when I add the multiline text to a visualization, the carriage returns get stripped out and it appears as one, long string of characters. I believe there is another thread about this...I'll find and read through it.
As a side note, just curious if there is a thread on here about migrating off of Project Enterprise/Online and moving to another tool, like Project for Web or something outside of Microsoft?