Convert MPX to MPP

A legacy schedule in .mpx must usually be converted when a recipient, document-control system, or Microsoft Project installation requires an editable .mpp file. Renaming the extension does not convert the schedule; the MPX data must be imported and saved in Project format.

What the MPX format is

MPX (Microsoft Project Exchange) is a structured text exchange format used by older Microsoft Project versions and some third-party scheduling products. It can carry tasks, resources, assignments, dependencies, calendars, costs, and baseline values, but it cannot represent every feature available in later Project files.

MPX files are most often encountered in archives or exports from older planning systems. Open a copy in a text editor if the file fails to import: a genuine MPX file contains readable, record-based text rather than binary data.

What the MPP format is

MPP is Microsoft Project desktop's native, proprietary project-file format. It stores the working schedule and supports Project-specific data such as task hierarchy, resource information, calendars, views, formatting, custom fields, and version-dependent features.

An MPP file can be recalculated, edited, printed, and exchanged with Microsoft Project users. Data absent from the MPX source, however, cannot be recreated merely by saving it as MPP.

Convert with Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project 2010 is the preferred desktop importer for MPX files. It is the last Project desktop release with direct MPX import support; Project 2013 and later do not provide MPX import.

1. Copy the source file, for example archive-plan.mpx, and retain the original unchanged.
2. In Project 2010, choose File → Open, select MPX Files (*.mpx) or All Files, and open the copy.
3. Review task names, outline levels, dates, predecessors, resources, assignments, calendars, baseline values, and cost fields. Resolve any import prompts before saving.
4. Choose File → Save As, select Project (*.mpp), and save under a new name such as archive-plan.mpp.
5. Open the saved MPP in the Project version used by the recipient. If an older Project release must open it, choose that release's compatible MPP format when Project offers it.

Other conversion options

MPXJ is an open-source Java library that can read MPX and write MPP. Its supplied mpxjconvert utility is suitable for repeatable or batch work; after installing the distribution and adding its command to the system path, a typical conversion is mpxjconvert archive-plan.mpx archive-plan.mpp. Check the installed release's --help output for its exact syntax, then validate the output in Microsoft Project.

For an occasional non-confidential file, Aspose.Tasks' online conversion service may offer MPX input and MPP output. Upload a copy, select MPP as the output format, download the result, and inspect it in Microsoft Project. Do not upload schedules containing client details, resource names, rates, costs, or other restricted information unless the service's privacy and retention terms permit it.

Compatibility checks

MPX is an exchange format, not a complete archive of every Project feature. Custom field definitions, graphical indicators, views, formatting, VBA/macros, enterprise-project data, hyperlinks, recurring-task details, and advanced calendar exceptions may be unavailable, simplified, or mapped differently.

Microsoft Project may recalculate dates after import from the imported calendars, dependencies, constraints, and resource assignments. Before distributing the MPP, compare task and resource counts, milestone dates, critical-path tasks, key predecessor links, baseline values, and major cost totals with the source schedule. A malformed or nonstandard third-party MPX export may require field correction after import.