Project management enables all types of businesses across industries to have a greater chance of successful project delivery. Project management software makes it easy for professionals to adhere to PM standards and plan, execute, and track projects through to completion. One of the most deployed software is Microsoft Project, a program that runs on Windows. If a Mac user wants to use Project by choice or by necessity, is it possible to run Microsoft Project for Mac?
Table of contents
- Why get MS Project for Mac?
- How to get Microsoft Project for Mac
- Microsoft Project for Mac alternatives
- Ready to try a Microsoft Project for Mac solution?
Why get MS Project for Mac?
Users realize the advantages of using project management software such as Microsoft Project to deliver quality products or services within scope, schedule, and budget. Mac computers are powerful and reliable machines found in many publishing firms and design agencies. But Macs are also present in many enterprises such as IBM, GE, Concentrix, Verizon, and SAP due to employee demand. Running Microsoft Project on a Mac computer makes perfect sense until one discovers that MS Project no longer runs on Mac computers or Apple devices. This puts many professionals in a bind since Project runs only on Windows OS and Mac users will not switch to a Windows PC.
How to get Microsoft Project for Mac
When asked how to get Microsoft Project for Mac, Microsoft’s official recommendation is for Mac users to try and use the complete web functionality of Project Online. Another popular suggestion is to install Windows on Mac computers.
Microsoft Project Online
Microsoft continues to update Project software because it is one of their most popular products. Recent updates show that MS Project cloud-based solutions are simpler to use, collaborative, and more flexible through online access. But Project Online has less features compared to the desktop version. Also, users need to subscribe to additional products or buy separate licenses for Microsoft 365, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint—which all add to project cost.
Read also: What’s New in Microsoft Project Professional 2019?
Windows installation on Mac
Another workaround to use Microsoft Project on a Mac is to install Windows operating system on Mac hardware. This is possible using Apple’s Boot Camp or using virtualization software.
Boot Camp
Boot Camp is an Apple product that can split a Mac’s hard drive into two partitions, so users can install and boot Mac OS in one partition and Windows OS in another. Users can choose which operating system to run, and with Windows installed, they can install and run Microsoft Project normally as if using a Windows PC but with the power and display of a Mac computer. The disadvantage is that while running Project on Windows, all other Mac applications installed on Mac OS partition are unavailable. Also, experts recommend installing Windows on Mac computers with Intel processors.
Virtualization software
Another way to install Windows on Mac computers is to use virtualization software. There is no need to create a separate partition for Windows because visualization software creates virtual machines (VM) that allocates disk space and memory to run Windows applications. Mac users can install Windows OS as if on a separate computer. Once installed in the VM, they can install any Windows software such as Microsoft Project where they can create new or open and edit existing Project files. The advantage is that users can access both Windows and Mac applications side-by-side. However, a VM consumes resources like a second computer running simultaneously, so it will affect performance. The top VM apps for running Microsoft for Mac are:
- Parallels Desktop – virtualization software compatible with Intel and M1 processors
- VMware Fusion – virtualization software that is both simple and powerful
- Oracle VirtualBox – free and open source virtualization software
Microsoft Project for Mac alternatives
When project managers have to view and update MS Project files from clients or partners in their Mac computers, they have no choice but use Project or another software that is capable of opening MPP file formats. However, if similar functionality is the only requirement, there are more PM software options with more features and better capability.
Read also: Top 10 Best Microsoft Project Tutorials – Training and Courses
MPP file-compatible software
A project management software for Mac can be compatible with MS Project files in the MPP file format. Some can open, edit, and save directly into MPP files. Others have the capability to import MPP files as well as export their own files into MPP formats that MS Project software can read.
- Project Plan 365 for Mac – a downloadable PM software compatible with MS Project and works with all versions of MPP files
- Merlin Project for Mac – a fully featured PM software that can import and export MPP files
- OmniPlan – project management software that supports export to and import from various Project file formats
For simply opening, viewing, and printing files, an MPP file viewer software is another affordable alternative. Some of these are Project Viewer 365, GanttPRO, MOOS Project Viewer, and Seavus Project Viewer for Mac.
Online project management software
Another option for professionals using Mac computers is to use online project management software that can import Microsoft Project MPP file formats and transform them into data that users can view, update, save, share, and export into more common formats such as CSV, XLS, XML, or PDF. These PM products have the same if not more advanced features than MS Project and serves the same purpose of providing project plans, schedule, timelines, tracking, collaboration, and reporting. All users need are their Safari browser to log in to the application and get real-time information as project progress happens.
Ready to try a Microsoft Project for Mac solution?
Microsoft Project is a popular Windows-only project management software. By developing it only for the Windows platform, it entices users on other platforms such as Mac OS to switch to Windows. On the other hand, Mac users are loyal to their Apple computers and will not easily give up their powerful machines. Although workarounds and alternatives are available, it is up to users to choose which solution fits their needs the most.
Featured Partners: Project Management Software
If you’re interested in learning more about top-rated project management software, project-management.com actively recommends the following:
1 monday.com
monday.com Work OS is an award-winning no-code work management platform that helps teams manage projects and workflows more efficiently.
Used by 152,000+ customers worldwide, this fully customizable software lets you plan, manage, and track every project in one place. monday.com offers time-saving and easy-to-use features such as automations, time tracking, document sharing, and real-time collaboration. Multiple board views such as Gantt and Kanban help you structure and navigate tasks and projects the way you prefer, and dashboards give a high-level overview of your progress.
In addition, integrations with apps such as Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, and Excel, allow you to easily continue working with your favorite tools from within the platform. monday.com also offers dedicated solutions, such as monday dev and monday sales CRM, designed to answer the needs of specific industries.
2 Rocketlane
Rocketlane’s collaborative customer onboarding platform helps businesses accelerate time-to-value, streamline implementation journeys, and deliver exceptional customer experience. By replacing generic project management and document collaboration tools with a unique, unified workspace, Rocketlane helps improve communication, collaboration, and project visibility for businesses and their customers. We help businesses consistently hit their goals by making onboarding more delightful and friction-free.
3 Wrike
Wrike is the ultimate solution for managing projects.
Discover the power of Wrike’s award-winning project management software. Maximize productivity using Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars. Streamline resource allocation, drive team alignment, and enhance forecasting. Benefit from AI-driven automation to save time on admin. Deliver impressive results, hit deadlines, and stay within budgets while elevating your team’s performance.
