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Free Project XML Viewer for P6 and Microsoft Project Files

XER Reader Team September 10, 2026 2 min read
Free Project XML Viewer for P6 and Microsoft Project Files

Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project both save schedules as .xml, in two different formats. XER Reader opens both, and with XER Reader Personal it is free for personal, non-commercial use, on Windows, on a Mac and in a browser.

Which kind of .xml you have

Open the file in a text editor and look at its first element, after the <?xml ...?> line:

To open it you do not need to know which kind it is: XER Reader works that out as it reads the file.

What XER Reader Personal includes

  • Every feature of XER Reader, on Windows, Mac and in a browser.
  • Up to 1,000 activities open at once, 1 shared schedule for up to 3 Shared Users, 1 BI Connection and 1 planner login.
  • Free forever, for students, hobbyists and anyone using XER Reader for themselves. Never for work.

Open an .xml file free, step by step

  1. Create your account on the sign-up page with your name, email address and a password.
  2. Open the link in the email we send you to confirm your address, then sign in.
  3. On your account page, under How will you use XER Reader?, choose Personal and click Use XER Reader Personal for free.
  4. Download XER Reader for Windows or Mac from the Downloads page, or click Launch Online Viewer there to use it in your browser.
  5. Log in to XER Reader with the same email address and password.
  6. Click the File menu, then Open, and select your .xml file.

The activity table opens on the left and the Gantt chart on the right. In the Windows and Mac apps you can also drag the file into the XER Reader window.

For work, or more than 1,000 activities

XER Reader Personal is not for work. For work, see XER Reader, XER Reader Pro and XER Reader Cloud on the pricing page.

A project with more than 1,000 activities does not open on XER Reader Personal: XER Reader says how many activities it has and that your plan opens up to 1,000 at a time.