Free online MPP to GAN converter
Convert Microsoft Project MPP plans into editable GanttProject GAN files.
Convert MPP to GAN online - free
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How it works
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Upload your .mpp file
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Perform .mpp to .gan conversion
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How to convert mpp to gan file
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Microsoft Project plans need this conversion when recipients must edit them in GanttProject, whose native editable project format is .gan. Saving the imported plan as GAN avoids requiring Microsoft Project, but the result must be checked because the two applications do not support identical scheduling features.
What the MPP format is
MPP is Microsoft Project’s proprietary project-file format. It stores task hierarchies, durations, dates, constraints, dependencies, calendars, resources, assignments, progress, and other scheduling data. Microsoft Project users, contractors, and organizations that standardize on Microsoft’s project-management software commonly exchange MPP files.
MPP is version-dependent rather than a single completely stable specification. Newer Microsoft Project files can contain features that third-party importers cannot reproduce.
What the GAN format is
GAN is GanttProject’s native XML-based project format. It stores editable Gantt-chart data such as tasks, milestones, relationships, resources, calendars, assignments, and project settings. XML makes a GAN file inspectable as text and suitable for version control, but manually changing it can invalidate the file or change scheduling behavior.
How to convert MPP to GAN
- Install a current desktop release of GanttProject from the official GanttProject website. Confirm that the release includes Microsoft Project import support.
- Open GanttProject and select File → Import → Microsoft Project. Menu names can vary slightly between releases.
- Choose the source
.mppfile and complete any import prompts. Import the task, resource, calendar, and assignment data required by the destination project. - Inspect the imported chart. Check task dates, durations, hierarchy, milestones, dependency links, calendars, resource assignments, and completion percentages.
- Save the project with File → Save As and select or enter the
.ganextension. GanttProject normally saves an imported project in its native GAN format. - Close and reopen the saved
.ganfile. This verifies that the file is independent of the import session and remains readable.
Do not rename .mpp to .gan: the extensions identify different internal formats, so renaming does not convert the data. If GanttProject cannot open the source, update GanttProject and Microsoft Project, then resave the project from Microsoft Project in a version or interchange format supported by the installed importer. Exporting to PDF or XLSX is not a substitute for an editable GAN project.
Compatibility and quality limits
The conversion may be lossy. GanttProject can omit or simplify advanced custom fields, complex calendars, baseline and earned-value data, VBA content, custom views, visual formatting, recurring tasks, manually scheduled tasks, specialized constraints, and dependency lag or lead. Different scheduling engines can therefore produce different dates even when the task list appears complete.
Compare the converted project with the original, especially the critical path, calendars, fixed-date constraints, resource availability, dependency timing, baselines, and finish dates. Recreate unsupported settings manually in GanttProject when they affect delivery or reporting.
Online conversion options
Reputable general-purpose online converters commonly offer MPP exports to formats such as PDF, XLSX, or XML, but native GAN output is not widely available. Do not upload a confidential project plan to an online service unless its retention, deletion, and data-processing terms are acceptable; local conversion in GanttProject keeps the source on the user’s computer.
MPP vs GAN: format comparison
How the MPP and GAN formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .MPP Microsoft Project | .GAN GanttProject project file |
|---|---|---|
| Open standard | No | Partly open |
| Compression | — | Uncompressed |
| Typical file size | Medium | Small |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Further editing | Limited | Easy |
| Metadata support | Basic | Basic |
| Plain-text readable | No | Yes |
| Best used for | Professional production | Professional production |
| Introduced | 1998 | — |
| Developer | Microsoft | GanttProject team |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Suggested software and links: mpp to gan converters
Frequently asked questions
Is the MPP to GAN converter free?
Yes, converting MPP to GAN on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my MPP file be?
You can upload MPP files up to 3 MB and convert up to 3 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 50 MB per file and 10 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert MPP to GAN?
No. The MPP to GAN conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid MPP file for this MPP to GAN conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.
Will my MPP tasks and dependencies stay editable in GAN?
Yes, standard tasks, task hierarchies, dates, durations, and dependencies are converted into editable GAN project data. MPP features that have no equivalent in GAN may be omitted or simplified.
Are MPP baselines, custom fields, and advanced scheduling settings preserved in GAN?
Not always; baselines, specialized custom fields, complex constraints, and other advanced scheduling details may be lost or flattened. The main task schedule is more likely to transfer than project-specific metadata and formatting.
Why did task dates or durations change after converting MPP to GAN?
Dates or durations can change when the two formats interpret working calendars, holidays, constraints, or elapsed time differently. Check the working-time calendar and scheduling rules in the GAN file if the converted plan is shifted.
Will the Gantt chart look exactly the same after converting MPP to GAN?
No, the schedule remains editable but chart styling, column layouts, colors, and other presentation details may be rebuilt using GAN defaults. The conversion transfers project data rather than preserving every visual setting from the MPP file.