---
title: ".mpp file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .mpp file is a Microsoft Project Plan. A project schedule with tasks, dependencies and Gantt data. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/mpp/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .mpp files

**.mpp file: Microsoft Project Plan**

A project schedule with tasks, dependencies and Gantt data.

## What opens a .mpp file

- **Windows:** Microsoft Project, ProjectLibre, GanttProject
- **macOS:** ProjectLibre, GanttProject
- **Linux:** ProjectLibre, GanttProject

## What a .mpp file is

MPP is the file format of Microsoft Project, another separately licensed product that is not included with Office. ProjectLibre is the usual free answer and opens MPP files on Windows, macOS and Linux; GanttProject imports them with more limitations. If you only need to read the plan, ask the sender for a PDF or an Excel export.

## Converting it

A .mpp file is commonly converted to .pdf, .xlsx, .xml or .csv. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .mpp
- **Full name:** Microsoft Project Plan
- **Category:** Documents
- **MIME type:** application/vnd.ms-project
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .mpp file?

On Windows use Microsoft Project; on macOS use ProjectLibre; on Linux use ProjectLibre. A project schedule with tasks, dependencies and Gantt data.

### What is a .mpp file?

Microsoft Project Plan. MPP is the file format of Microsoft Project, another separately licensed product that is not included with Office. ProjectLibre is the usual free answer and opens MPP files on Windows, macOS and Linux; GanttProject imports them with more limitations.

### Can I convert a .mpp file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .xlsx, .xml or .csv, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)