Microsoft Project on Mac: Getting Started

This guide shows how to open and edit an MPP schedule on macOS with Project Plan 365. For the product distinction and supported options, see Microsoft Project for Mac: Supported Options and Limitations.

Open a working copy

1. Open the plan. In Project Plan 365, choose File > Open > Computer, locate the .mpp file, and select Open. The product’s Open from Local Device instructions describe this route.
2. Save a separate copy before editing. Choose File > Save As > Other locations > Computer, then select a folder and give the copy a new name. This keeps the original file intact. See the product’s Save As steps.

Review the schedule in useful views

• Gantt Chart: Choose View > Gantt Chart to see task fields beside bars on a timescale. Use it to review task order, dates, durations, progress, and dependency links; the product’s Gantt Chart article explains this view.
• Task Sheet: Choose View > Other Task Views > Task Sheet for a task-focused grid of dates, durations, costs, and other fields. See the Task Sheet article for its options.
• Resource Sheet: Choose View > Resource Sheet to inspect resource details such as names, rates, assigned work, and costs. The Resource Sheet article describes the information available there.

These views show different slices of the same plan. A change to a task’s duration or dependency can also affect linked-task dates, so review the schedule after changing those values. If you changed a resource assignment, check the relevant resource details as well.

Edit task details

To edit a task’s details, select it and choose Task > Task Information, or double-click the task. The dialog can be used to update its name, duration, dates, percent complete, predecessors, and resource assignments. The product’s Task Information instructions explain the available fields and tabs.

Custom fields cannot be edited in the Task Information dialog; add the field as a column in Gantt Chart and edit it in the grid. After changing dates, links, or assignments, check the Gantt Chart and relevant resource details to confirm the plan still reflects the intended work.

Save and verify your changes

Use File > Save or Command+S to update the working copy. To save another checkpoint without replacing it, use File > Save As and choose a different name or location. When editing an MPP, keep the plan in MPP format for continued schedule work.

Before sharing the edited file or reopening it in Microsoft Project, review important task dates, dependencies, assignments, and any fields your team relies on. For cross-application checks, see Microsoft Project for Mac: File Compatibility and Exchange.