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Can Project for the Web Export to Microsoft Project Desktop?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if a project created in Project for the web or Microsoft Project 365 can be exported directly to the Microsoft Project desktop application.

Product: Project for the web
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to migrate or share a cloud-based project plan with users who rely on the Microsoft Project desktop client.
Observed behavior: The user is looking for a direct export feature but is unsure if the platform supports sending web projects to the desktop software.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your Project for the web account and verify that you have a compatible spreadsheet application installed, as you will need it for the export workaround.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel as an Intermediary Export Format

Since Project for the web does not provide a direct export to the desktop app, exporting your project to Excel is the best workaround to transfer your data.

Microsoft Project for the web supports importing projects from the desktop application, but it does not support exporting a project directly back to Microsoft Project desktop.

To bridge this gap, you can export your web project data into an Excel spreadsheet, which can then be viewed, edited, or manually imported into the desktop version if needed.

Open Project for the web

Log into your Microsoft 365 account and open the specific project you want to export in Project for the web.

Access the More Actions menu

Click on the three dots (...) located in the top right corner of the project view to open the More Actions menu.

Export to Excel

Select the 'Export to Excel' option from the dropdown. Your project tasks, dates, and assignments will be downloaded as an .xlsx file.

Open in Desktop Application

Launch Microsoft Project desktop and use the import wizard to open the downloaded Excel file, mapping the Excel columns to the appropriate project fields.

One-Way Compatibility: While you cannot export from web to desktop, you can easily import an existing Microsoft Project desktop file (.mpp) into Project for the web when starting a new project.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Exported Project Data with WPS Office

If you are exporting project tasks to Excel as a workaround, WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible spreadsheet tool to view, organize, and edit your project data without needing expensive desktop software.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'Spreadsheet' module to open the application.
3. View Your Project Data: Drag and drop the .xlsx file you exported from Project for the web into WPS Spreadsheet to organize your project tasks effortlessly.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) project exportsLightweight software that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and LinuxFamiliar user interface for seamless transition and quick editsFree to use for basic project tracking and data management

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a desktop project into Project for the web?

Yes, Project for the web fully supports importing existing .mpp files from the Microsoft Project desktop application to help you transition your plans to the cloud.

What file format does Project for the web export to?

Currently, Project for the web relies on Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) as its primary export format for extracting project data, task lists, and timelines.

Why is there no direct export to Microsoft Project desktop?

Project for the web is built on a different modern cloud architecture (Dataverse) compared to the legacy desktop client. Microsoft designed it for cloud-first collaboration rather than native backward compatibility with the desktop app.

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