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Can Project for the Web Export Projects to MPP Files?
Question details
The user wants to know if there is a way to export project data from Microsoft Project for the Web into standard MPP files.
- Product
- Microsoft Project for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sharing, backing up, or migrating project data into the traditional Microsoft Project desktop application format.
- Observed behavior
- Project for the Web lacks a built-in option to export to MPP files, currently only supporting exports to PDF and Excel formats natively.
Verify if your organization has access to Microsoft Power Automate and Dataverse, as you will need these tools to extract project data since native MPP export is unavailable.
Extract Project Data using Power Automate
Use Power Automate to pull data from Project for the Web, which can then be converted into an MPP file using third-party tools or developer resources.
Because Project for the Web does not natively generate MPP files, you must extract the underlying data from Dataverse. This exported data can then be reconstructed into an MPP file by a specialized third-party application or custom script.
Log in to Microsoft Power Automate with your organizational account and click on 'Create' to start a new flow.
Add a Microsoft Dataverse connector to your flow to access the tables where Project for the Web stores its data.
Configure the flow to list and extract data from the 'Project', 'Project Task', and 'Project Team Member' tables.
Set the flow's output to format the extracted project data into an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file.
Utilize a third-party project management conversion tool or a custom script to map this structured Excel/CSV data into an MPP file format.
Export to Excel or PDF Natively
Utilize the built-in export functionalities of Project for the Web if you only need to share task lists or visual timelines.
Manage Exported Project Files Efficiently with WPS Office
While Project for the Web doesn't export to MPP, its native Excel and PDF exports are perfect for sharing. WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible, and lightweight suite to view, edit, and annotate these exported project files without a costly Microsoft subscription.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open Exported Files: Use WPS Spreadsheet to open your exported Excel task lists, or WPS PDF for visual timelines.
- 3. Edit and Share: Make adjustments to your project data, add annotations, and easily share the documents with your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Project for the Web support MPP exports natively?
Project for the Web is built on the modern Microsoft Power Platform (Dataverse) architecture, which differs significantly from the traditional Microsoft Project desktop application. Therefore, it does not natively generate the legacy MPP file structure.
Can I open an MPP file in Project for the Web?
No, Project for the Web cannot directly open or import MPP files. If you need to work with MPP files, you should use the traditional Project Desktop app or Project Online.
Are there third-party tools available to convert Excel to MPP?
Yes. If you export your Project for the Web data to Excel using Power Automate, several third-party converters and specialized project management tools can map that tabular data into a standard MPP file format.
How can I share my project with someone who doesn't have a Project license?
The best approach is to export the project view to a PDF or an Excel file natively from within Project for the Web. This allows anyone to view the task list and timeline without needing a dedicated Microsoft Project license.
