Forum Discussion
Microsoft Project / Planner question
Hello, new to this so I hope I've posted this question in the right place. I have been emailed a Microsoft Project .mpp file.
At present I don't have the correct software to open and amend this file.
I am exploring whether I need to but an online subscription or make a one off purchase. the online subscription option suggests that I need to subscribe to Microsoft Planner. My queries is, will this allow me to import/load the file I've been emailed to allow me to edit it?
If it doesn't presumably my only option is to make the one off purchase?
Many thanks in advance if there is anyone that can assist.
4 Replies
Speaking as a Cloud Admin for a large GCC tenant, the three different articles Microsoft has posted claiming that .mpp files can be ported to Planner are apocryphal at best. I just got off a Teams call with one of Microsoft's supposed experts and the answer was "I'll get back with you." He wanted me to import from a .xlsx version of the project.
Here's the thing: Project was deprecated. Microsoft should have planned for making .mpp file import to be clear and bulletproof. Microsoft did not. This is typical of Microsoft with their almost orphaned products they create to compete with superior third-party options.
Your best option, seriously, is to create the project from scratch in Planner. Microsoft has no reliable way to port .mpp files that they can stand behind. Or better yet, bypass Planner altogether while Microsoft sinks more money and resources into Copilot.- MartinPerryman,
Simple answer, "no". Planner is a simplistic project management app whereas Project is a full featured project management app. If you need to open and edit a Project .mpp file you will need Project stand alone (non-subscription) or Project Plan 3 or 5 (subscription). For a "one-off" it might be possible to do a trial of Plan 3 or 5 but a trial may have limitations on what you can do.
Hopefully others will pop in with their suggestions.
JohnJohn-project Thank you.
Yes, I'd got the trial for Planner 3 thinking that would allow me to check that it would work (it did say that the trial version contains all the functionality of the full subscription service), but there doesn't appear to be an option for uploading an existing file. Looks like it is a stand alone purchase!
Best wishes
Martin
- Martin --
If you have a Planner 3 license, you can use the Project for the Web application, available at project.microsoft.com. On the Project Home page, click the + New Plan button and select the Import Project as Plan item. This process will import the Microsoft Project plan into Project for the Web, but it will remove all resources from the project. You will now be able to edit the plan in Project for the Web. Hope this helps.
