Free Project File Viewer

[CJM]

Are there any free applications that can view MS Project files, and that can
be associated with the .mpp extension?

Background:

Some partner companies and customers are sharing project management
documentation with a colleague via a website (projectplace.com). Included
are MS Project files. My colleague doesnt need any other capability than to
view the basic gantt charts, so a full Project licence would be a waste of
money.

Are there any viewers (akin to the free Vision/Word/Excel viewers)
available?

Thanks

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi CJM,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Please see FAQ Item: 16. Project Viewer


FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://www.mvps.org/project/

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[CJM]

Apologies, I've just noticed that a similar question has been asked recently
(which didnt get a great response).

I've actually come across a freebie that will import .mpp files:
http://www.adeptproject.com/productinfo.htm

But this still doesnt solve my problem. I need a viewer that can
automatically open .mpp files (ie you can associate mpp files with said
program).

So any alternatives suggestion still gratefully received.

Thanks

Chris

 

[CJM]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Mike.

Although packed with useful information, I'm afraid I'm not really nearer to
the desired solution.

I think we might as well give my colleague a full copy of project!

Thanks anyway.

Chris

 

[Steve House]

There simply is no such critter. The easiest solution is if your client
only needs to be able to see a limited number of views is to print the
desired views to a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat or a similar PDF maker and
send those to him. Then he can open and view them

 

[Mike Glen]

The only thing that will open an mpp file is Project - you'll have to
purchase another copy.


Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[Jacek Zajadacz]

Apologies, I've just noticed that a similar question has been asked recently
(which didnt get a great response).

I've actually come across a freebie that will import .mpp files:
http://www.adeptproject.com/productinfo.htm

But this still doesnt solve my problem. I need a viewer that can
automatically open .mpp files (ie you can associate mpp files with said
program).

So any alternatives suggestion still gratefully received.

IMHO 2 steps:
1. Export data to Excel Worksheet
2. Create a bar chart (sub-type: stacked):

 

[Jacek Zajadacz]

IMHO 2 steps:
1. Export data to Excel Worksheet
2. Create a bar chart (sub-type: stacked):

You can also automate this tasks with macros/VBA or use Excel Add-in.
see more at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnexcl2k2/html/ODC_Gantt.asp

 

[CJM]

Thanks to you all for you replies, but I wonder if I have explained the
situation sufficiently.

A particular customer who we work closely with is sharing PM documentation,
including MPPs amongst other things, using a website called
projectplace.com. He has been granted access by this company to its account
there. Thus he can read and review their project files.

The documents are provided as a link, so if you click on the filename you
get the standard IE Open/Save/Cance/More Info dialog. At this point he wants
to click Open and have the files opened by a helper application (e.g MS
Project). Because he only wants to view the files, a full Project licence
seems a waste.

Using the AdeptTracker software (indicated in a previous post) he could Save
the MPP from the web and import it in, which is what he does now, but this
involves the downloading of a file - which we want to avoid since we have a
danger of proliferating various copies about the office.

So in conclusion... it appears Mike is right - the only thing that can open
an MPP is MS Project so Project it must be.

Chris

 

[Rob Schneider]

Thanks to you all for you replies, but I wonder if I have explained the
situation sufficiently.

A particular customer who we work closely with is sharing PM documentation,
including MPPs amongst other things, using a website called
projectplace.com. He has been granted access by this company to its account
there. Thus he can read and review their project files.

The documents are provided as a link, so if you click on the filename you
get the standard IE Open/Save/Cance/More Info dialog. At this point he wants
to click Open and have the files opened by a helper application (e.g MS
Project). Because he only wants to view the files, a full Project licence
seems a waste.

Using the AdeptTracker software (indicated in a previous post) he could Save
the MPP from the web and import it in, which is what he does now, but this
involves the downloading of a file - which we want to avoid since we have a
danger of proliferating various copies about the office.

So in conclusion... it appears Mike is right - the only thing that can open
an MPP is MS Project so Project it must be.

Chris

Chris,

To open *any* file will require downloading it. Tee file has to exist
in some for somewhere for any software to load it. Think this through.
Don't try to mask the issue of proliferation of files. You *are*
proliferating them.

(That's why I try to avoid ever giving source MPP files to anyone unless
they are part of the core/controlled planning group *and* they know
enough about Project to properly use it ...give "throw-away" copies, or
better yet "publish" information and knowledge about projects--not raw
source data).

 

[CJM]

To open *any* file will require downloading it. Tee file has to exist
in some for somewhere for any software to load it. Think this through.
Don't try to mask the issue of proliferation of files. You *are*
proliferating them.

Technically, the file must be downloaded to a temporary area in order to
opened in this way. I know this. I'm a web development professional.

My colleague however does not.

As far as he is concerned, clicking on the link each time provides him with
the up-to-date version of the file. In actual fact, he may be accessing a
cached version from his temporary internet files, or he may be downloading a
newer version.

Likewise, all other web content must be downloaded in order to render in
your UA. But this is NOT proliferating those websites.

Nor is the situation I talked proliferating the PM files.

I've no idea how the files are updated at our customers site, but that is
outside our visibility. The fact is the web version is the master document.
It is up to the customer to manage the distribution and control of the
source documents at their end.

(That's why I try to avoid ever giving source MPP files to anyone unless
they are part of the core/controlled planning group *and* they know
enough about Project to properly use it ...give "throw-away" copies, or
better yet "publish" information and knowledge about projects--not raw
source data).

The website does what it does... I dont have the power to change this, nor
does my colleague, and nor does our customer. We can give some feedback to
the site operators, and hope they add extra functionality, like a method of
'publishing' the data as you put it.

Finally, this whole thread has drifted off-topic. I know the answer to the
question I asked. I'm disappointed that there doesnt seem to be the tool
that I wanted, but I am happy with the range of options I have examined.
Project it is.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Bret Tushaus]

I use an application from Afinion called "Project on Web Viewer"
(http://www.afinion.com/). This application works exteremely well for us as
we recieve MPP files quite often and need to view them and/or print them
out. However, we do not have the need to manipulate or create our own MPP
files so owning MS Project is not really necessary. Unlike other viewers,
Project on Web Viewer reads the native MPP file so there is no need for the
creator of the MPP file to convert it to another format. While it is not a
free viewer, Project on Web Viewer has met my needs quite well and is very
cost effective (it is better then shelling out the total cost of a full MS
Project license). I would highly recommend it. I hope this helps. Post
back if you have other questions.

 

[John McShane]

Here is what will do the job :

www.housatonic.com/projectviewer

It did work for me.

 

[Jerry Welch]

Check out
K-SOL S.r.l.
www.projectreader.com

 

[Dave W]

Its not free. Its 32 Euros for the Standard Version and 39 Euros for the
Professional Version.

 

[Gerhard Krug]

Jacek
we just write such a function for Daimler Chrysler.
They bought a company license of our viewer and need an integration like
you.
if you are interested send me a mail so I can inform you when we are reay
(some weeks)
Test it meanwhile

www.afinion.com

Gerhard

 

[Mike Witcombe]

If the MS Project file is saved in the Access database format then
www.waa-inc.com/projex can import it into Excel.