Articles on: Scheduling & Timeline

Import and export MS Project schedules

Overview


How do I import or export MS Project schedules in CxPlanner?


MS Project is widely used in construction for creating project schedules. In CxPlanner, you can seamlessly integrate MS Project schedules by importing them or exporting your CxPlanner schedules back into MS Project format.


Only users with the project role Manager or higher can import or export schedules.


When and why to use this


Importing or exporting MS Project schedules helps you keep your project timeline aligned across different tools and stakeholders.

  • When to import - You receive a project schedule created in MS Project and need it in CxPlanner for tracking and integration with commissioning tasks.
  • When to export - You need to share a schedule created or updated in CxPlanner with a team using MS Project.
  • The system sorts imported tasks by start date within groups by default - you may need to adjust sorting if your original MS Project file was not date-sorted.
  • Supports .XML format only.


How to - step by step


Import an MS Project schedule

  1. Open your .mpp file in MS Project.
  2. Save the file as an XML file.
  3. In CxPlanner, go to the Schedules module.
  4. Select Tools and Upload MS Project.
  5. Choose the saved XML file from your computer.
  6. Confirm the import.



Export a schedule to MS Project

  1. In CxPlanner, open the schedule you want to export.
  2. Click the Download button.
  3. Select Download MS Project XML.
  4. Open the downloaded file in MS Project.


Behavior and results

  • Sorting after import - Tasks will be sorted by start date within groups unless you sort differently in MS Project before exporting.
  • File format - Only .XML files are supported for both import and export.
  • Compatibility - The exported XML can be opened directly in MS Project.


Troubleshooting

Problem

Cause

Solution

Tasks are in a different order after import

CxPlanner sorts by start date within groups by default

Sort tasks by start date in MS Project before exporting

Cannot import .mpp file directly

Only XML format is supported

Open the .mpp in MS Project and save it as .xml

Exported file won’t open in MS Project

File was corrupted during download

Re-download the file and ensure it has the .xml extension


Quick facts

  • Requires: Project role Manager or higher
  • Location: Schedules → Import / Export
  • Affects: Project schedules, task order, and MS Project compatibility



Updated on: 08/15/2025

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