What Is an MPP File?
An MPP file (.mpp) is the standard desktop Microsoft Project plan format. It stores the working schedule—including tasks, dependencies, resources, assignments, and calendars—so a compatible Project application can reopen and continue editing the plan.1
What an MPP file represents
Section titled “What an MPP file represents”An MPP file is the working container for a Project plan. It brings together the schedule and the information Project uses to calculate it: tasks, links between tasks, resources, assignments, and calendar settings. Opening the file in a compatible Project desktop release lets you continue editing the plan rather than viewing a flat export of its rows.
MPP is a file format, not a Project edition or cloud service. The application and version used to open and save the file are separate considerations; see MPP compatibility across Project versions.
MPP and other formats
Section titled “MPP and other formats”Project can exchange project data through Excel, CSV, text, and XML. Excel, CSV, and text are mainly useful for moving field data or tables, while XML can carry structured Project data between applications. These formats may need validation and may not preserve the complete behavior of an MPP plan. See supported Project file formats for details.
When to use MPP
Section titled “When to use MPP”Use MPP when the recipient needs to work with the Project plan itself. Use an exchange format when the recipient needs selected data for another program or a report. Always confirm the Project release that will open and save the file before sharing it.
Project Plan 365 is an alternative tool that works with the Microsoft Project MPP format, including files created in Project 2010 and later. See its MPP compatibility details for supported versions.