MPP File Extension

MPP file icon

Microsoft Project Format

What is a MPP file?

Files with the MPP extension are specifically tied to Microsoft Project Format, a Data Files type, and there are 6196 files in this category.

The Microsoft Project Format (MPP) was created by Microsoft, a company that developed file format and produced 242 programs for their use.

MPP files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. If you need to open a MPP file, you can use one of 12 programs, such as Microsoft Project, Seavus Project Viewer and Microsoft Office.

MIME types

  • application/x-ms-project
  • application/x-dos_ms_project
  • application/mpp
  • application/msproj
  • application/msproject
  • zz-application/zz-winassoc-mpp
  • application/x-msproject
  • application/vnd.ms-project

How to open a MPP file?

If you’re having difficulty opening a MPP file, it is often due to not having the correct software. To solve the problem, choose a compatible program from the list. Then follow the link to the official developer site, download the software, and install it on your device.

Microsoft Project, Seavus Project Viewer and Microsoft Office stand out as the preferred programs to manage MPP files effectively. To install the latest version of Microsoft Project on your computer, visit the Microsoft website where you can download the version available for all operating systems.

After installation, your operating system should automatically open MPP files with Microsoft Project.

Set Microsoft Project as the default MPP handler

Choose an app to open a file on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + left click on the desired MPP file to launch the file options menu;
  2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
  3. Next, at the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu, in which "Recommended Programs" is selected by default;
  4. In this menu, select "All Programs", then find Microsoft Project and check the box next to "Always open in the application."

Set default programs for Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your MPP file, then select "Open With" and continue by clicking "Choose another app" from the options provided;
  2. In the pop-up window, find and select the Microsoft Project application from the available options;
  3. Make sure the "Always use this app" checkbox is checked and click "OK" to confirm your choice as the default app for opening MPP files.

Convert files to and from MPP

If you have trouble working with a MPP file, try converting it to PDF, MPX or similar data files.

Be aware that converting a MPP file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.

Convert MPP to other file formats

Converting Files to MPP Format

Effective solutions for MPP file problems

There are some common issues with MPP files that can be resolved easily by making minor adjustments to your software. Below, you’ll find these issues along with practical troubleshooting tips.

What are the methods to detect if my MPP file has been corrupted?

MPP data files that have become corrupted may display one or more of the following symptoms:

  • An unexplained increase in the size of the MPP file;
  • Trying to work with the archive in Microsoft Project or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
  • The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
  • While working with the file, error alerts are encountered;
  • The file exhibits poor performance during editing operations in Microsoft Project;

Why does Microsoft Project crash?

Insufficient software updates can contribute to Microsoft Project crash. To avoid this, make sure that you have installed the latest updates for Microsoft products.

Restarting your computer can resolve numerous common problems, so it should be the initial step before changing any software-related settings.

How to repair a corrupted MPP file?

Open the damaged MPP file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair operation. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged data files.

How to edit a MPP file?

To make changes to MPP files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the data files. Online MPP editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Microsoft Project Format.

Best MPP editors 2026

Based on these criteria, we have prepared a list of available MPP editors.

MPP Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
Microsoft ProjectMicrosoftWindows4.8 out of 5 (43 reviews)