A Microsoft Challenge plan file, or an MPP file, is a file format that’s unique to Microsoft Challenge. This implies customers have to buy Microsoft Challenge to open them. In any other case, utilizing and extra importantly, sharing MS Challenge recordsdata, will trigger issues. Nevertheless, you possibly can keep away from these hurdles when you have a Microsoft Challenge viewer to view and edit MPP recordsdata.
What Is a Microsoft Challenge Viewer?
A Microsoft Challenge viewer, also called an MS Challenge viewer or MPP viewer, is software program that means that you can open MPP recordsdata with out having to buy a Microsoft Challenge license. MPP viewers had been created as a workaround for customers who have to open MPP recordsdata however don’t have Microsoft Challenge as a consequence of drawbacks reminiscent of a excessive value, steep studying curve or lack of compatibility with Mac.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that whereas Microsoft Challenge viewers allow you to open MPP recordsdata, they don’t supply the identical mission planning, scheduling or monitoring instruments as Microsoft Challenge. An MPP viewer just isn’t equal to mission administration software program, however a a lot less complicated instrument that may solely be used to visualise information out of your MPP recordsdata.
If you happen to’re in search of an MPP viewer with comparable options to Microsoft Challenge, it’s best to attempt ProjectManager. ProjectManager is greater than only a Microsoft Challenge viewer, it’s on-line mission administration software program that means that you can open, print, share and edit MPP recordsdata on-line. Extra importantly, ProjectManager means that you can use all of the mission administration options you anticipate from Microsoft Challenge reminiscent of Gantt charts, kanban boards, mission calendars and extra. Get began at this time at no cost.
Why Ought to You Use a Microsoft Challenge Viewer?
There are a number of the explanation why Microsoft Challenge won’t be one of the best mission administration instrument for some organizations, which causes mission managers to search for Microsoft Challenge options, reminiscent of MPP viewers. Listed below are a few of them.
Microsoft Challenge Is Costly
The worth level is without doubt one of the difficulties that one encounters instantly with MS Challenge. Microsoft Challenge requires a month-to-month subscription that begins at $10/month/person, however you don’t get quite a lot of options with it. The extra superior cloud-based subscription will set you again $55 monthly/person. The on-premise Microsoft Challenge answer is even pricier: the value vary is $679.99 for Challenge Customary 2021 to over $1,129.99 for the Challenge Skilled 2021 version.
Microsoft Challenge Is Exhausting to Use
Whereas the brand new Microsoft Challenge On-line provides extra flexibility to the product and is actually an enchancment over the desktop model, the educational curve continues to be steep. It’s not a user-friendly interface and sharing recordsdata just isn’t straightforward. Microsoft gives its Sharepoint as a way to share recordsdata, however even their answer is dear and never straightforward to make use of. Add to that the dearth of a real-time dashboard, and you’ll see why individuals are motivated to search out another.
Microsoft Challenge Is Not Obtainable for Mac Customers
For these tasks which might be being managed on a Mac OS system, the issues are a lot worse. Microsoft Challenge doesn’t assist Apple merchandise. That ignores big industries, reminiscent of publishing and design.
You may keep away from these drawbacks through the use of a Microsoft Challenge viewer. Microsoft Challenge viewers are a great substitute for all variations of MS Challenge, together with Microsoft Challenge On-line, as most of them allow you to open MPP recordsdata on-line.
Key Options of a Microsoft Challenge Viewer
Whereas every Microsoft Challenge viewer has totally different options and distinctive performance, most Microsoft Challenge viewers permit you and your crew to:
- Open MPP recordsdata: View Microsoft Challenge recordsdata on-line.
- Share Microsoft Challenge recordsdata: MPP viewers allow you to export MPP recordsdata as Excel or CSV recordsdata which helps you to share them with non-MS Challenge license holders.
- Print MPP recordsdata: Most MPP viewers help you print the content material of your Microsoft Challenge recordsdata.
Nevertheless, whereas they’re useful, it’s vital to know that Microsoft Challenge viewers aren’t mission administration software program like Microsoft Challenge and due to this fact may lack vital mission administration instruments. If you need the closest expertise to Microsoft Challenge, you possibly can attempt ProjectManager, on-line mission administration software program that allows you to use superior mission administration options to:
- Handle MPP recordsdata on-line utilizing mission administration instruments reminiscent of Gantt charts, kanban boards, mission dashboards and timesheets.
- Create mission schedules and use mission monitoring instruments.
- Discover the vital path of your tasks.
- Collaborate along with your crew on-line.
- View real-time mission dashboard information.
- Export up to date information as XML again into MS Challenge.
Let’s go over the method of utilizing ProjectManager as a sophisticated Microsoft Challenge viewer and editor.
How one can Use ProjectManager as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer
With ProjectManager, you possibly can import and export Microsoft Challenge recordsdata with out shedding any information due to its on-line storage. Plus, you possibly can view and edit MPP recordsdata earlier than exporting your modifications and sharing them along with your crew members. Better of all, our MPP viewer works on each Home windows and Mac computer systems with out requiring any downloads.
1. Begin a Free 30-Day Trial
To view and edit MS Challenge recordsdata in your laptop (Home windows or Mac), you have to first begin your free 30-day trial. Select any plan you want, as they’re all suitable with Microsoft Challenge, and every plan helps you to seamlessly import, export, view and edit MPP recordsdata. When you’ve chosen a plan, ProjectManager is free for 30 days and could be canceled at any time—no strings connected!
Observe the walkthrough beneath to view and edit your MPP recordsdata in ProjectManager.
2. Use the Gantt Chart to Import Your MPP File
Launch the Gantt chart instrument and click on on the import button. You’ll find it on the highest proper of your display screen. It’s the one with the image that appears like a field with an arrow piercing it on high. When you import your file, you should utilize ProjectManager as a web based MPP file viewer and editor and use all its mission administration options to edit your Microsoft Challenge plan.
3. Get Your MPP File
Discover the MPP file you need to work on. A popup window will ask which mission file you want to import. When you’ve chosen it, hit subsequent. Be certain that your file has the correct MPP file extension.
4. Decide Your Choices
Observe the alternatives listed on the brand new popup menu. Now you can add the imported MS mission file to an present mission or open it as a brand new one, in addition to exchange the info or maintain it.
5. Import the MPP File into Our Microsoft Challenge Viewer
Select the way you need to import the Microsoft Challenge file. You may get all the info from it or simply the duty checklist. It’s as much as you. Select whichever possibility provides you extra choices in terms of effectively viewing and enhancing your MPP file.
6. Get Began Viewing & Modifying Your MPP File!
See that window that claims success? Meaning you’ve imported the file and now you possibly can share it, edit it and, if you need, export it again to MS Challenge, with none hassles. Your mission will seem on the Gantt chart at first, however you possibly can handle it in any of the mission views out there on our on-line platform. It’s Microsoft Challenge integration accomplished proper.
What MPP File Variations Does ProjectManager Open?
Microsoft Challenge is a software program that has existed for many years, so varied forms of MPP recordsdata have been developed through the years. ProjectManager will help you open any 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007 .MPP file codecs.
This implies you should utilize ProjectManager as an MS Challenge Viewer for the next variations of Microsoft Challenge:
- Microsoft Challenge 2021
- Microsoft Challenge 2019
- Microsoft Challenge 2016 (with Workplace 365 subscription)
- Microsoft Challenge 2013
- Microsoft Challenge 2010
- Microsoft Challenge 2007
Advantages of Utilizing ProjectManager as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer
We’ve already discovered that ProjectManager has all of the Microsoft Challenge options you’re acquainted with, at a a lot decrease price and a extra pleasant person interface than Microsoft Challenge. Listed below are much more advantages from utilizing ProjectManager as your Microsoft Challenge viewer.
- Open MPP recordsdata On-line: View Microsoft Challenge recordsdata on-line, even in the event you used desktop variations of Microsoft Challenge to create them.
- Edit MPP recordsdata On-line: Use any of ProjectManager’s mission administration instruments to make modifications to your MPP recordsdata.
- Print MPP recordsdata: Print the content material of your Microsoft Challenge recordsdata in varied codecs reminiscent of Gantt charts, activity lists, or mission calendars.
- Import and Export Recordsdata from Microsoft Challenge: If you might want to export the info again to MS Challenge, you possibly can merely click on “export,” and it’ll open in MS Challenge with all the info updates intact. ProjectManager can be suitable with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Outlook and greater than 1,000 enterprise apps.
- Share Microsoft Challenge recordsdata in a number of codecs: ProjectManager is a web based MPP viewer that allows you to export MPP recordsdata as Excel or CSV recordsdata so you possibly can share them with non-MS Challenge license holders. Export up to date information as XML again into MS Challenge.
- Reduce Down Prices: ProjectManager is a cheap answer when in comparison with Microsoft Challenge and most Microsoft Challenge viewers. It means that you can use the identical options as Microsoft Challenge at a fraction of the price.
- Handle Your Initiatives On-line: As soon as your Microsoft Challenge recordsdata are seamlessly imported on-line, you possibly can handle and share your tasks 100% on-line, safely and securely, so you possibly can collaborate along with your crew. Every little thing from MS Challenge transfers over, together with formatting reminiscent of coloration coding.
- Helps All Microsoft Challenge Views: Edit MPP recordsdata on-line utilizing mission administration instruments reminiscent of Gantt charts, kanban boards, mission dashboards and timesheets, not like different MPP viewers which don’t solely assist just a few Microsoft Challenge views.
10 Microsoft Challenge Viewer Software program With Free & Paid Plans (On-line & Desktop Options)
If you happen to’re simply in search of a Microsoft Challenge viewer and nothing else, some light-weight choices may curiosity you. All work as a free Microsoft Challenge viewer, even on Mac, and a few could be discovered within the Microsoft Retailer.
These instruments won’t have the options that mission managers want, reminiscent of Gantt charts, cloud storage, and so on., however they’ll act as a web based MPP viewer and make these cussed MPP recordsdata workable for iOS, Android and Home windows customers alike.
1. Challenge Plan 365
Challenge Plan 365 is a Microsoft Challenge viewer that may open and save Microsoft Challenge recordsdata. It imports and exports seamlessly to collaborate with MS Challenge. It really works with Mac and has a cloud interface to work on-line or a downloadable model to your macOS gadgets. A profit for Microsoft Challenge customers is that this free MPP viewer has a well-recognized really feel to that instrument.
Customers have complained that the software program crashes, particularly if charts are extra difficult. One other concern is that prospects have complained of bugs, such because the instrument doesn’t sync with Dropbox. Whereas it guarantees quite a bit, reminiscent of Gantt charts, it doesn’t all the time ship. When it does, the subscription value for the paid model is excessive.
2. Challenge Viewer 365
Challenge Viewer 365 is one other light-weight Microsoft Challenge viewer. It permits customers to view, learn, share and print MPP recordsdata. It has cloud-based integration with Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox and SharePoint. Pricing begins at $29.99 for one license, although there’s a free MPP viewer, and it really works with PCs, Macs, and any internet browser.
Whereas it is a respectable on-line MPP viewer, it’s nothing else. If you happen to’re solely utilizing Microsoft Challenge, then this is likely to be a advantageous workaround to view recordsdata with groups and distributors that might in any other case require the acquisition of extra MS Challenge licenses. Nevertheless it’s so barebones and even with a free model, it’s not definitely worth the cash to have one other app that does just one factor.
3. Seavus Challenge Viewer
There’s additionally Seavus Challenge Viewer, one other MS Challenge viewer that helps all of the views out there on Microsoft Challenge and MS Challenge Skilled, together with graphical reviews. Just like the others on this checklist, the person interface mimics that of MS Challenge for ease of use. It even has Skype for Enterprise integration and a activity replace collaboration add-in.
The difficulty is, that is one other costly MPP viewer at $39 for a one-time person. There’s a free trial however that’s not going to assist prospects who want a long-term answer. As an MS Challenge viewer, you might do worse, however once more, there are not any different mission administration options. The concept of spending cash on a product that does just one factor means you’ll finally have a handful of pricey apps that may do however one factor when there are reasonably priced options that may view MPP recordsdata and rather more.
4. Steelray MPP Viewer
Steelray is an MPP viewer that means that you can learn information from MPP recordsdata in the entire similar views that Microsoft Challenge has, together with Gantt charts, timelines, community diagrams and calendars. Apart from opening all Microsoft Challenge file codecs, it could possibly open Primavera Primavera P6 .XER recordsdata too. In all probability the primary benefit of Steelray is that it’s a cheap Microsoft Challenge viewer for $35 per person per yr.
Sadly, Steelray is an on-premises answer that must be downloaded and put in in your laptop, which suggests you gained’t have the ability to open MPP recordsdata on-line, from any system such as you would with a web based MPP viewer. Its options are additionally very restricted and are designed for customers that simply have to have entry to MPP recordsdata in a read-only view.
5. Challenge Reader
Challenge Reader is a light-weight MS Challenge viewer that focuses on useful resource administration. Its important benefit is that it could possibly open all kinds of Microsoft Challenge file codecs reminiscent of MPP recordsdata, MPT recordsdata and XML recordsdata. It will possibly open Microsoft Challenge recordsdata from 1998 to 2019.
Nevertheless, it solely gives a number of the mission administration views from Microsoft Challenge reminiscent of Gantt charts, useful resource sheet, useful resource utilization and activity utilization. One other large drawback is that it’s an on-premises answer and its person interface seems and feels very outdated in comparison with most Microsoft Challenge viewers. A Challenge Reader license prices $29 per person per yr, the value can go right down to $23 per person per yr if you buy greater than 20 licenses, which makes it a cheap various for bigger organizations.
6. MOOS Challenge Viewer
MOOS Challenge Viewer is software program designed as a technique to see Microsoft Challenge Viewer recordsdata. Customers don’t want Microsoft Challenge put in of their laptop to do that. That’s as a result of it helps opening and viewing Microsoft Challenge recordsdata, together with MPP, XML and MPX codecs.
Whereas MOOS Challenge Viewer can be utilized as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer, it has restricted enhancing capabilities, reminiscent of read-only entry. It additionally lacks superior options reminiscent of detailed useful resource leveling or complicated scheduling. There are even compatibility points with newer Microsoft Challenge options that aren’t totally supported. It’s designed to be user-friendly, however the actuality is the software program requires a steep studying curve. Bigger recordsdata could be sluggish to open, it has restricted integration and no cloud entry, which is likely to be a tough no for a lot of potential customers.
7. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is generally used as collaborative work administration software program, however it may be used as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer. It imports Microsoft Challenge recordsdata and permits them to be considered and to work together with the mission information. Now these recordsdata are collaborative and could be considered in Gantt charts and reviews.
That doesn’t imply all Microsoft Challenge recordsdata are supported by the Microsoft Challenge Viewer. Extra complicated mission plans with superior scheduling options could not import precisely. Some information could be misplaced or misrepresented. The interface between the 2 software program merchandise differs, which could require customers to regulate and will trigger confusion. As with most of those Microsoft Challenge Viewers, customers must take time to familiarize themselves with the options and performance of the software program.
8. ClickUp
ClickUp is one other instrument that acts as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer. It will possibly import Microsoft Challenge recordsdata so customers can view the mission information inside, reminiscent of duties, timelines and dependencies. These duties could be managed in ClickUp with its activity administration options and collaboration instruments.
As with lots of the Microsoft Challenge Viewers, there could be file compatibility points with ClickUp, particularly when coping with complicated mission buildings and dependencies which may not import accurately. Customers can expertise information loss throughout import, reminiscent of customized fields or particular scheduling options. There have additionally been reported issues with efficiency when coping with massive or complicated Microsoft Challenge recordsdata. Much like different Microsoft Challenge Viewers, customers can handle and observe duties in ClickUp, however indirectly edit the unique Microsoft Challenge file inside the utility.
9. Wrike
Wrike permits customers to view and collaborate on mission information. Nevertheless, as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer, it could have sure limitations. It does permit customers to import Microsoft Challenge recordsdata and collaborate with different crew members. There may be additionally primary visualization, which helps customers perceive mission timelines and dependencies.
The difficulty is that not all options or formatting could also be supported, which might result in potential discrepancies within the imported information. These information integrity points can create information loss or misrepresentation, particularly when importing complicated mission recordsdata, reminiscent of these with customized fields or intricate dependencies. That is additionally true with importing massive recordsdata. As a Microsoft Challenge Viewer, one other limitation is the truth that there isn’t a enhancing of unique recordsdata. Ass the subscription price, and this won’t be the correct answer for a Microsoft Challenge Viewer.
10. GanttPro
Apart from being a mission administration instrument with Gantt charts, GanttPro can be utilized as a Microsoft Challenge Viewer. It will possibly import Microsoft Challenge recordsdata to view timelines, duties and dependencies within the Gantt chart view. The Gantt chart is an efficient instrument for visualizing mission timelines, vital paths and activity relationships. It’s additionally a collaborative instrument, which Microsoft Challenge just isn’t. One other good thing about this Microsoft Challenge Viewer is customers can observe progress, replace activity statuses and handle assets immediately within the platform.
However GanttPro isn’t the perfect Microsoft Challenge Viewer. No shock, there are compatibility points. Not all of the options or customized settings from Microsoft Challenge are totally supported. There could be information loss throughout import, particularly for complicated tasks or bigger recordsdata. Restricted enhancing of unique recordsdata can intrude with usability. Utilizing this Microsoft Challenge Viewer could be expensive, as GanttPro works on a subscription mannequin. Plus, studying tips on how to use the instrument can take time, which many groups don’t have.
If you happen to’re in search of a strong instrument that has a free model and totally different subscription tiers to match your wants and never break your pockets, you’ll need an MS Challenge viewer reminiscent of ProjectManager. It not solely views however edits and shares your MMP recordsdata. In truth, you may simply quit Microsoft Challenge altogether.
Why ProjectManager Is the Finest On-line Microsoft Challenge Viewer
While you’ve imported your MS Challenge File into a web based Microsoft Challenge viewer with the capability to edit MPP recordsdata, like ProjectManager, you’re given free rein to work, whether or not you’re utilizing Home windows, Mac, iOS or Android gadgets. The Microsoft Challenge recordsdata are totally imported into your on-line MS Challenge viewer.
Now that you simply’re within the MPP file, there are totally different mission views out there to you while you work. Let’s check out some modern methods to make use of an MS Challenge viewer with mission administration options, like ProjectManager, and see how this instrument might help you’re employed extra effectively.
1. On-line Gantt Charts
While you import an MPP file to ProjectManager, the mission plan and Gantt chart instantly populate on-line, preserving your customized columns and settings like color-coding, WBS and activity dependencies, in addition to importing assets and assignments. You may then instantly view your mission plans on-line and handle them along with your crew as soon as invited to the web mission.
This contains collaborating along with your crew on duties immediately on the Gantt chart, which allows you to obtain alerts when your crew members have up to date their duties with feedback or file attachments. You may also handle tasks in a portfolio, create mission teams and handle activity dependencies throughout tasks.
2. On-line Timesheets & Useful resource Administration
While you import Microsoft Challenge plans on-line to ProjectManager, you get greater than an MS Challenge viewer. You may handle your tasks on-line, together with managing useful resource time, prices and updates.
Since your useful resource information is imported, you possibly can share the web mission plans along with your crew and invite them to replace timesheets. That is excellent for groups within the subject; they’ll replace duties and timesheets anytime, wherever, and also you get e-mail alerts when their timesheets are prepared for approval.
3. Populate Actual-Time Dashboards
While you import an MPP file into ProjectManager, for instance, your real-time dashboard is immediately populated, exhibiting you prompt views of your mission information. You may surprise, in the event you’ve by no means seen a real-time view of your mission information, why you would wish a mission dashboard? The advantages are clear upon import. You may see at-a-glance:
- Challenge well being
- Job standing
- Group workload standing
- Prices
- And extra
With ProjectManager, your MPP recordsdata are super-powered. Now they’ll mirror real-time modifications in your mission. You may simply share paperwork that had been too large to e-mail. Import and export are a breeze, the viewer can do all of the formatting for you, and better of all, your mission information immediately populate your dashboard with colourful charts and graphs. Able to attempt it? Join a 30-day free trial now.
ProjectManager Is Extra Than a Microsoft Challenge Viewer: It’s an MPP File Editor
ProjectManager isn’t only a free MS mission viewer. It’s a Microsoft Challenge various that can be utilized as an MPP file editor or a fully-featured mission administration software program that offers you full management over your tasks. While you import and export MS Challenge plans, you need to have the flexibility to work on them and entry mission administration options.
With information roundtripping, your imported information columns don’t should be “mapped,” like in different mission viewers. The info instantly and seamlessly is imported into the correct locations, so you possibly can proceed your mission planning and scheduling proper there on-line!
With a sophisticated MPP editor, you possibly can:
- Open MPP recordsdata
- Handle MPP recordsdata on-line
- View deliberate, baselines and WBS
- See & replace activity dependencies
- Merge assets & their charges
- Merge assignments
- Collaborate along with your crew on-line
- View real-time dashboard information
- Export up to date information as XML into MS Challenge
As soon as your Microsoft Challenge recordsdata are seamlessly imported on-line, you possibly can handle and share your tasks 100% on-line, safely and securely, so you possibly can collaborate along with your crew. Every little thing from MS Challenge transfers over, together with formatting reminiscent of coloration coding.
Group members can replace duties on the Gantt and add attachments and feedback. So you possibly can proceed planning in just some clicks. Plus, if you might want to export the info again to MS Challenge, you possibly can merely click on “export,” and it’ll open in MS Challenge with all the info updates intact. ProjectManager can be suitable with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Outlook and greater than 1,000 enterprise apps.
Associated: Microsoft Groups, Microsoft Planner
Microsoft Challenge Viewers FAQ
Microsoft Challenge is a really generally used mission administration software program however just isn’t one of the best instrument. That’s why many Microsoft Challenge viewer instruments have been developed for individuals who don’t need to use MS Challenge however nonetheless have to open and share MPP recordsdata. Listed below are a number of the most ceaselessly requested questions on-line about Microsoft Challenge viewers.
What’s the greatest Microsoft Challenge viewer?
ProjectManager is one of the best Microsoft Challenge viewer. It’s a web based mission administration software program that allows you to flawlessly import and edit MPP recordsdata.
Is there any Free Microsoft Challenge viewer?
Sure, there are a number of free MPP viewers out there on-line, reminiscent of within the Microsoft Retailer, Google Play Retailer and Apple’s App Retailer.
Are you able to view MS Challenge recordsdata with out MS Challenge?
Sure, you should utilize a Microsoft Challenge viewer, MPP file editor or higher but, mission administration software program.
Can I edit MPP recordsdata with a Microsoft Challenge viewer?
No, Microsoft Challenge viewers don’t help you edit MPP recordsdata. With an MPP viewer, you possibly can solely learn, share and print MPP recordsdata.
Associated Content material
If you happen to’re utilizing Microsoft Challenge, then search for options that will help you share your work along with your crew and stakeholders. With a web based Challenge viewer and on-line mission administration software program instrument like ProjectManager, you are able to do extra than simply view your recordsdata. You may seamlessly handle your MPP recordsdata on-line, replace and collaborate on plans on-line, handle timesheets along with your crew, view real-time mission information, and a lot extra. See for your self with this free 30-day trial!
