Microsoft has documented these differences here. Now, let’s loop back and discuss the differences between Project Desktop and Project for the web as it relates to the Import Wizard. With the import complete, we have a new Project for the web schedule which contains the same tasks, % complete, dependencies and start/finish dates as the original MPP file.įigure 4 – Imported Project for the web scheduleĪnd not only that, I also immediately have access to all the new features in Project for the web, including the color-coding of the Finish dates alerting me to the fact that my project has not been properly maintained in Project Desktop.Īt this point, the project is saved in my organization’s environment and available for team collaboration. The imported Project for the web schedule The import wizard runs and creates the new Project for the web schedule and provides a summary of the actions taken to align the Project Desktop tasks to the new Project for the web schedule.Īs already mentioned, I will come back to review the differences in the tool, but for now, I will continue and review the results of the import, which is very comprehensive and complete. Using standard Windows functionality, browse to and select the MPP file you wish to import.įigure 2 – Select the MPP file to be imported I will talk about this later in this blog post, but for now, let’s proceed and import the MPP file. Please note, as shown on the dialog, that there are some Project Desktop features not available in Project for the web.

To get started, go to Project Home, click the down arrow to the right of the “New blank project” button, and then select ‘Import from Project Desktop’. I find that this is also a great way to import schedule templates, so that you can start a new plan from an existing (template) plan. If you’re interested in exploiting the new features in Project for the web but can’t because you are still managing existing projects with Project Desktop, the good news is Microsoft has released functionality to import MPP files from Microsoft Project desktop into Project for the web. This will allow you to migrate existing project schedules easily and effectively and leverage the team collaboration and other features available in Project for the web.

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