Can You Use Microsoft Project On A Mac
Microsoft Project (MPP) is used by many project managers, especially at large organizations where it’s a legacy software. But MS Project can be difficult to use. So, how do you use Microsoft Project? Our guide goes through a step-by-step process to help you maneuver through the byzantine program.
Whether you use Microsoft Project or not, ProjectManager.com is a great workaround for that bulky program, especially if you need Microsoft Project for Mac. We’re leaner, online, so you can share easily, and provide a seamless round-trip when you work on MS Project files in our software, so all your changes and formatting is saved when you import and export your work. The implication of this apparent magic is that you can actually run Microsoft Project on your Mac — something that most folks find unfathomable since Microsoft doesn’t make a version to run natively on your shiny aluminum Apple laptop. So why not turn this problem on its head and just run Windows on your Mac?
There are, of course, workarounds for those of us who don’t have a Microsoft Project license but still need to work with MPP files. Most common is the plethora of MS Project viewers available online. These softwares allow you to view files, but most don’t give you the ability to work on them.
ProjectManager.com is the exception, in that our online project management tool can import MPP files and then give you all the features you need to edit the file, offering even more options than Microsoft Project. This makes us an excellent alternative to microsoft project, or at least a software to use in tandem with MSP.
MS Project isn’t easy to share online. It’s files are too big and cumbersome. But it’s easy to with ProjectManager.com’s integration with Microsoft Project. There are multiple features in ProjectManager.com that not only allow you to view and share MPP files, there’s also roundtripping, which maintains your changes and format from one program to the other. We have real-time dashboard views that give you an accurate and timely window into the progress of the project.
There’s also timesheet and workload management to help you track time right alongside the project. And we offer online PM tools that foster collaboration with your team.
Starting a Project: Tasks and Durations
Before you can see the benefits of importing MPP files into ProjectManager.com, you first must know how to start a project in MS Project. Once you’ve downloaded the software and opened it up on your desktop you can start entering data into the task plan of the Gantt chart, such as the task name and its duration.
As you enter tasks and durations in the spreadsheet to the left, you’ll see it graphically represented to the right in a blue bar over a timeline in the Gantt chart. This is called the task bar, and it’s a great way to get a quick visual of what tasks need to be done when.
Once all your tasks have been entered into the spreadsheet and reflected on the Gantt chart to the left of your screen, remember to save the project. Give it a name and place it in a folder. It’s a good idea to number this file to distinguish it from newer versions you create as the project progresses. The file will be saved with the extension .mpp.
Project Start Date and Task Dependencies
MS Project defaults to starting all your tasks on the same date, which naturally isn’t true, so you have to now tell the program when each task starts. You do this by clicking on the Project item on the top bar then Project Information in the dropdown menu. A new window will pop up and you can now change the start date.
Microsoft Projects allows you to note task dependencies, such as when one task cannot start until another is finished. You want to manage these task dependencies, so MS Project gives you the ability to link them. One way is on the Gantt chart by hovering your mouse on the center of the task bar. The cursor will become a four-way arrow, which by click left will allow you to drag one task over another, linking them. Now save the file, and mark it as version two.
Creating Milestones
A milestone marks the end of a phase of the project, and they’re a good way to track your progress and stay on schedule. You’ll want to add these to your Gantt chart. To make a task a milestone, click on the task. Once it’s highlighted, right-click to bring up the task information window.
How To Install Microsoft Project On A Mac
Click on the Advanced tab. There will be a checkbox at the bottom left. All you have to do is check this box and the task will now be designated as a milestone. You will see it on your Gantt chart as a black diamond shape. Don’t forget to save.
Microsoft Project Download
Toolbar and Icons
The toolbar option is in the View menu, which allows you to chose the view you want: Gantt chart, calendar, network diagram, task usage, tracking, etc. You can now pick the view that is most relevant to you, which will change throughout the project, so you’ll be using this feature often.
There is also a Toolbar option under view, which if you hover on it will open up another window to the right with more options. The Standard and Formatting options are defaults, but you can change these as you like to see what you want to see at any particular time. Using Microsoft Project does give you a fair amount of control over how you see the project.
The icons on the toolbar offer a popup screen tip if you over your mouse over them, which can be helpful it familiarizing yourself with the visual vocabulary of MS Project. The icons should be commonplace to anyone with some computer literacy: New File, File Search, Print Preview, Spelling, Undo, etc.
You should look around and get to know all the various functions and formatting options the software offers. Once you have, you can customize the toolbar by removing or adding options. On the right of the standard toolbar is a small double arrow and a small down arrow, which can be used to customize your toolbar.
Can I Use Ms Project Online With A Mac
And There’s More
Learning how to use Microsoft Project is a project in itself. It’s a huge program and like turning a tanker ship, you have to have patience and give it time. If you invest some, you’ll get a nice project management tool to help you manage your projects.
If you just need access to MPP files, then you should take a look at ProjectManager.com. As noted above, it’s more than just a tool to view your MS Project online, but gives you access to work on the files and save them without losing any of your work.
ProjectManager.com also allows you to work on those files. When you return the file with its changes back to MS Project, all your formatting is carried over, saving you time and a great deal of effort.
Microsoft Project Tutorial
Whether you use Microsoft Project or not, ProjectManager.com is a great workaround for that bulky program, especially if you need Microsoft Project for Mac. We’re leaner, online, so you can share easily, and provide a seamless round-trip when you work on MS Project files in our software, so all your changes and formatting is saved when you import and export your work. But ProjectManager.com is also a great alternative to MS Project, offering the same features, but more user-friendly, sharable and without the excessive cost and learning curve. See for yourself by taking this free 30-day trial.