Supported MPP files
FormatPeek accepts standard Microsoft Project .mpp files up to 30 MB. Compatibility depends on the MPP format generation and the specific fields used in the plan—not only the year printed on the Project product name.
MPP format generations
FormatPeek’s parser uses MPXJ 16.7.0. MPXJ documents four binary MPP families and read support from Microsoft Project 98 onward.
| MPP family | Microsoft Project releases | FormatPeek expectation |
|---|---|---|
| MPP8 | Project 98 | Parser-supported; older files may expose fewer usable fields |
| MPP9 | Project 2000 and 2002 | Parser-supported when the file is not password protected |
| MPP12 | Project 2003 and 2007 | Parser-supported |
| MPP14 | Project 2010 and later releases | Parser-supported; edition-specific features may be simplified |
See MPXJ’s MPP format reference for the underlying family mapping. This is parser-level support, not a promise that every field or saved desktop view will appear identically.
File requirements
- The filename must end in .mpp.
- The file must be 30 MB or smaller.
- Its contents must have the Microsoft compound-file signature expected by the parser.
- The file must not require a password; FormatPeek does not ask for or attempt passwords.
- The upload must be complete and readable rather than a zero-byte, truncated or damaged copy.
Fields FormatPeek currently displays
The viewer focuses on the core information required to understand a schedule:
- Project title, overall start and finish dates when available.
- Task IDs, names, WBS hierarchy, dates, durations and percentage complete.
- Summary and milestone flags, critical status and predecessor task IDs.
- Resource names and task-to-resource assignments.
- Derived Gantt, task sheet, usage, network and calendar presentations.
What may be omitted or displayed differently?
FormatPeek does not load Microsoft Project’s saved presentation data. Custom tables, filters, groups, bar styles, colors and split-view layouts therefore do not reproduce the desktop screen. The viewer also does not expose every custom field, formula, macro, cost table, baseline, note, report or complete time-phased value contained in a complex plan.
Use FormatPeek for quick inspection. Use Microsoft Project and the original MPP file when contractual dates, costs, custom calculations or exact presentation fidelity matter.
Can FormatPeek identify the exact Project edition?
Not reliably. Several Microsoft Project releases share the MPP14 family. If edition-level compatibility matters, ask the sender which application and version last saved the file, then test a copy in the required target application.
Other project file formats
Project XML, MPX, MPT, MPD, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PDF and image files are different formats. This upload accepts only .mpp files; renaming another extension will fail the file-signature check. Ask the sender for a real MPP export, or use software intended for the source format.
If a nominally supported file fails, follow the MPP troubleshooting checklist.