Export and share Project data
Export or share Project data as a spreadsheet, a fixed-layout document, an image, or the editable plan; choose based on whether recipients need to analyze, view, or continue editing it.
Excel exports
Section titled “Excel exports”To export data from desktop Project, choose File > Export > Save Project as File, then select Microsoft Excel Workbook under Other File Types. In the Export Wizard, map the task, resource, or assignment fields you need.4
Excel is useful for analysis, but it carries selected project data rather than the full editable schedule. Keep the MPP file as the working plan.4
PDF and printing
Section titled “PDF and printing”Project desktop can save a view as PDF, and PDF preserves document formatting. It cannot open a PDF as a project file. Printing follows the selected view, report, or calendar. Prepare the view, formatting, page layout, headers, footers, and legends before printing.1 For other output choices, see supported Project file formats.
Capture a picture
Section titled “Capture a picture”To share a visual snapshot, select the view or rows you need and use Task > Copy > Picture. This lets you paste a Project plan into another application or webpage, including for people who do not have Project installed. An image is a snapshot, not an editable schedule.2
Project Plan 365 can also export any view as an image through Share > Export > Export to Image; see its image export steps.
Read-only sharing
Section titled “Read-only sharing”If someone only needs to inspect a Project file, share a copy or use a write-reservation password. A write-reservation password allows people to read the file while requiring a password to make changes. For stronger protection, use a protection password that is required to open the file.3
For more password and file-protection guidance, see Save and Protect Microsoft Project Files.
Project Plan 365 also supports Excel or CSV, MPP, and PDF export, as well as project sharing. Its Export to Dashboard brings plan information into a dashboard, while Export to My Calendar places scheduled tasks in a personal calendar to help track deadlines and milestones alongside other commitments.
Choosing an output
Section titled “Choosing an output”Use MPP to continue editing, Excel to analyze exported fields, PDF or print for a stable document, or an image for a quick snapshot. For release-specific MPP behavior, see MPP compatibility across Project versions.