Microsoft Project files (MPP) are commonly used to plan, manage, and track projects. However, many users prefer to analyze and share project data in Excel because it offers flexibility for sorting, filtering, and reporting. In this tutorial, you will learn how to open an MPP file in Excel by exporting it to popular spreadsheet formats such as Spreadsheet 2003 XML, XLSX, and CSV using Python.

Python Library to Open MPP File in Excel

To open and export Microsoft Project MPP files into Excel, we will use the powerful Aspose.Tasks for Python library. It enables developers to load, read, and convert MPP files programmatically without requiring Microsoft Project to be installed. With this API, you can extract project schedules, tasks, and resource details and save them in Excel supported formats such as XLSX, Spreadsheet 2003 XML, or CSV for easy analysis and sharing.

Before getting started, make sure you have Aspose.Tasks for Python installed.

Install it using pip:

pip install aspose-tasks

You can also download the package directly from the Aspose.Tasks for Python releases page.

1. Convert MS Project MPP File to Spreadsheet 2003 XML (Excel 2003)

Older versions of Microsoft Excel use the XML Spreadsheet 2003 format. This format is still useful for compatibility with legacy systems or older Excel installations.

Follow the steps below to export an MPP file to Spreadsheet 2003 XML:

  1. Import Aspose.Tasks.
  2. Load your MPP file using the Project class.
  3. Save the project using the SaveFileFormat.Spreadsheet2003 option.

The following Python code example shows how to open and export an MPP file to Spreadsheet 2003 XML format.

This will generate an XML file that can be opened directly in Excel 2003 or later versions.

Convert MS Project MPP File to Spreadsheet 2003 XML (Excel 2003)

Convert MS Project MPP File to Spreadsheet 2003 XML (Excel 2003).

2. Convert MS Project MPP File to Excel XLSX (Excel 2007 and Later)

Most modern users work with Excel 2007 and above, which uses the .xlsx format. Aspose.Tasks allows you to export your MPP data directly to this format, enabling you to view project tasks, start and finish dates, and durations easily.

Follow the steps below to export MPP to XLSX:

  1. Load your project file with Project().
  2. Use the SaveFileFormat.XLSX option when saving.

The following code example shows how to export MPP to XLSX in Python.

Convert MS Project MPP File to Excel XLSX (Excel 2007 and Later)

Convert MS Project MPP File to Excel XLSX (Excel 2007 and Later).

You can now open the converted file in any version of Excel 2007 or later. Each task, milestone, and date is exported into structured spreadsheet columns, making the data easy to analyze.

If you’re looking for a detailed guide on advanced export options and customization, see our related tutorial on converting MPP to Excel in Python.

3. Convert MS Project MPP File to CSV

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format provides the simplest way to open and share MPP data in spreadsheet applications or analytics tools like Power BI and Google Sheets.

Follow the steps below to export MPP as CSV:

  1. Load the .mpp file.
  2. Save it with the SaveFileFormat.CSV format.

The following code example shows how to export MPP as CSV in Python.

You can now open the output.csv file in Excel, where each task and field appears as a row in a comma-delimited sheet.

Check out our detailed guide on converting MPP to CSV in Python to learn how to change views, modify delimiters, and hide column headers when saving MPP data as CSV.

Get a Free License

Aspose offers a free temporary license that unlocks the full capabilities of the library. This ensures complete export of all project data without evaluation limitations.

Open MPP File in Excel Online

If you prefer not to write code, you can use the free online MPP to Excel converter. This tool uses the same Aspose.Tasks engine under the hood for accurate conversion.

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Open MPP File in Excel: Free Learning Resources

Explore these helpful resources to learn more about working with Aspose.Tasks for Python and discover additional ways to open, manage, and analyze Microsoft Project files programmatically.

FAQs

Q: Can I open MPP files without Microsoft Project installed?

A: Yes. Aspose.Tasks for Python reads and converts MPP files independently, without requiring Microsoft Project on your system.

Q: Which Excel versions are supported?

A: You can export to XML for Excel 2003 and to XLSX for Excel 2007 or newer versions. CSV can be opened in virtually any spreadsheet program.

Q: Does Aspose.Tasks preserve task hierarchy and formatting in Excel?

A: Yes. The exported Excel file includes task structure, start and finish dates, durations, and dependencies where applicable.

Q: Can I export specific fields only?

A: You can customize exports by adjusting views or task field collections before saving.

Q: Is there a free version available?

A: Yes. You can test all features with the free temporary license.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to open an MPP file in Excel using Aspose.Tasks for Python by exporting it into Spreadsheet 2003 XML, XLSX, or CSV formats. Each method gives you a flexible way to view, share, and analyze Microsoft Project data directly inside Excel. With just a few lines of code, you can now extract your project information without installing Microsoft Project, which saves time and improves collaboration across teams.

If you need any help or run into questions while working with Microsoft Project files, don’t hesitate to post on the Aspose.Tasks support forum. Our team of experts is always ready to assist you.

See Also