How to open files of popular Windows programs in macOS

Switching from a Windows PC to a Mac can be a significant transition, especially when it comes to compatibility with files from popular Windows programs. Mac OS offers various solutions to open, edit, and manage these files without requiring Windows software. This article will guide you through how to handle files from six widely used Windows programs on Mac OS. We’ll start with Microsoft Project and move on to other essential software.

1. Microsoft Project (.mpp)

GanttPRO

Microsoft Project files, with the .mpp extension, are used extensively in project management. However, Microsoft Project is not available for Mac OS. One of the best solutions is this online .mpp file editor – GanttPRO.

GanttPRO is an online project management tool that supports importing .mpp files. It offers an intuitive interface and robust features for managing projects. Here’s how to use GanttPRO to open .mpp files on your Mac:

1. Sign up or log In: Visit the GanttPRO website and create an account or log in if you already have one.
2. Import your file: Click on “Import” and select the Microsoft Project file you wish to open.
3. Edit and manage: Once the file is imported, you can view, edit, and manage your project using GanttPRO’s tools.
4. Export: If needed, you can export the file back to .mpp format after making changes.

GanttPRO is a cloud-based solution. Therefore, it will be accessible from any device with an internet connection and ensure smooth  project management  experience on Mac OS.

Other tools for .mpp files

While GanttPRO is a top choice, other tools like Project Plan 365 and Smartsheet also offer capabilities to open and edit .mpp files on Mac OS.

2. Microsoft Access (.mdb, .accdb)

Microsoft Access is a database management tool widely used for creating and managing databases. However, it is not available for Mac OS. To open and manage Access files (.mdb, .accdb) on a Mac, you can use MDB Viewer or Base.

MDB Viewer

MDB Viewer is a simple yet powerful app that will assist with opening and exporting Microsoft Access files on Mac OS. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and install MDB Viewer: Download MDB Viewer from the Mac App Store and install it.
2. Open your file: Launch the app and open your .mdb or .accdb file.
3. View and export: You can view the database contents and export them to formats like CSV or SQL for use in other applications.

Base

Base, as a part of the LibreOffice suite, is another alternative for opening Access files. It supports importing .mdb files and provides tools for editing and managing databases.

3. Microsoft Visio (.vsd, .vsdx)

Microsoft Visio is used for creating diagrams and flowcharts. For Mac users, there are several alternatives to open and edit Visio files (.vsd, .vsdx).

Lucidchart

Lucidchart is a web-based application that supports Visio file formats. It offers a range of diagramming tools and an easy-to-use interface. Follow these steps to use Lucidchart:

1. Create an account: Sign up on the Lucidchart website.
2. Import your file: Click on “Import” and choose your Visio file.
3. Edit and share: Once imported, you can edit the diagram and share it with others.

Lucidchart’s cloud-based nature ensures you can access your diagrams from any device.

OmniGraffle

OmniGraffle is another powerful tool for Mac users. It can open and edit Visio files within a native macOS experience. Download it from the Mac App Store, open your Visio file, and start editing.

4. CorelDRAW (.cdr)

CorelDRAW is a popular graphic design software. While it doesn’t have a native Mac version, you can still open and edit .cdr files on Mac OS using Affinity Designer or Inkscape.

Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a professional graphic design software that supports .cdr files. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and install: Purchase and download Affinity Designer from the Mac App Store.
2. Open a file: Launch Affinity Designer and open your .cdr file.
3. Edit and export: Edit your graphic and export it to various formats.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a free, open-source vector graphics editor. It supports .cdr files through extensions. Here’s how to use Inkscape:

1. Download and install Inkscape: Available for free on the Inkscape website.
2. Open a file: Launch Inkscape and use the “Import” feature to open .cdr files.
3. Edit and export: Make your edits and export the file to formats like SVG or PNG.

5. Microsoft Publisher (.pub)

Microsoft Publisher is used for creating professional documents like brochures and newsletters. Unfortunately, it’s not available for Mac. However, you can open and edit .pub files on Mac OS using LibreOffice or PUB Viewer Pro.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes the Draw application, which can open .pub files.

1. Download and install LibreOffice: It’s available for free on the LibreOffice website.
2. Open your file: Launch LibreOffice Draw and open your .pub file.
3. Edit and export: Edit your document and export it as needed.

PUB Viewer Pro

PUB Viewer Pro is another tool specifically designed to open and convert Publisher files on Mac.

1. Download and install PUB Viewer Pro: You can find it in the Mac App Store.
2. Open a file: Launch the app and open your .pub file.
3. View and export: View the document and export it to formats like PDF or JPEG.

6. Microsoft OneNote (.one)

Microsoft OneNote is a note-taking application that allows users to create and organize notes. While there is a OneNote version for Mac, sometimes compatibility issues arise with files created on Windows. To ensure seamless access to your OneNote files (.one), consider using Outline or the web version of OneNote.

Outline

Outline is a note-taking app that integrates well with OneNote. It supports .one files and offers a native Mac experience.

1. Download and install Outline: It’s available in the Mac App Store.
2. Open your file: Launch Outline and import your .one files.
3. Edit and sync: Edit your notes and sync them with OneDrive if needed.

OneNote Web

Using the OneNote web app is another straightforward solution. Here’s how to use it:

1. Access OneNote online: Go to the OneNote website and log in with your Microsoft account.
2. Open your file: Your OneNote files stored on OneDrive will be accessible.
3. Edit and manage: Edit and manage your notes directly from the browser.

7. Microsoft Outlook (.pst, .ost)

Microsoft Outlook is a popular email client that uses .pst and .ost files for storing emails, contacts, and calendar entries. To open these files on Mac OS, you can use Outlook for Mac or MailSteward.

Outlook for Mac

Microsoft provides a version of Outlook for Mac that can handle .pst files.

1. Download and Install Outlook for Mac: Available as part of Microsoft 365.
2. Import Your File: Go to File > Import, then select your .pst file.
3. Access Your Data: Your emails, contacts, and calendars will be imported and accessible within Outlook.

MailSteward

MailSteward is an email archiving solution that supports importing .pst files.

1. Download and install MailSteward: Find it on the MailSteward website.
2. Import your file: Use the import feature to bring in your .pst file.
3. Manage your emails: View and manage your archived emails within MailSteward.

8. Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)

PowerPoint is a widely used presentation software. While PowerPoint itself is available for Mac, you can also use Keynote or Google Slides to open and edit .ppt and .pptx files.

Keynote

Keynote is Apple’s presentation software that supports PowerPoint files.

1. Open Keynote: Available pre-installed on most Macs or from the Mac App Store.
2. Import the file: Open Keynote and import your .ppt or .pptx file.
3. Edit and export: Edit your presentation and export it back to PowerPoint format if needed.

Google Slides

Google Slides is a web-based presentation tool that supports PowerPoint files.

1. Access Google Slides: Visit Google Slides and sign in with your Google account.
2. Import your file: Upload your .ppt or .pptx file to Google Slides.
3. Edit and share: Edit your presentation and share it online.

9. AutoCAD (.dwg)

AutoCAD is a leading software for 2D and 3D design and drafting. For Mac users, AutoCAD for Mac and DraftSight are viable options to open and edit .dwg files.

AutoCAD for Mac

Autodesk offers a version of AutoCAD specifically for Mac users.

1. Download and install AutoCAD for Mac: Find it on the Autodesk website.
2. Open Your File: Launch AutoCAD for Mac and open your .dwg file.
3. Edit and Save: Edit your designs and save them in the desired format.

DraftSight

DraftSight is a professional-grade 2D CAD product that supports .dwg files.

1. Download and Install DraftSight: Available from the DraftSight website.
2. Open Your File: Launch DraftSight and open your .dwg file.
3. Edit and Save: Edit your drawings and save your work.

10. Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)

Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used for data analysis and visualization. While Excel is available for Mac, you can also use Numbers or Google Sheets to open and edit Excel files.

Numbers

Numbers is Apple’s spreadsheet software that supports Excel files.

1. Open Numbers: The app is pre-installed on most Macs and available in the Mac App Store.
2. Import your file: Open Numbers and import your .xls or .xlsx file.
3. Edit and export: Edit your spreadsheet and export it back to Excel format if needed.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet tool that supports Excel files.

1. Access Google Sheets: Visit Google Sheets and sign in with your Google account.
2. Import your file: Upload your .xls or .xlsx file to Google Sheets.
3. Edit and share: Edit your spreadsheet and share it online.

Conclusion

Switching from Windows to Mac OS doesn’t mean you have to leave your important files behind. With the right tools, you can open, edit, and manage files from popular Windows programs on your Mac seamlessly. Whether you are dealing with project management files from Microsoft Project, databases from Microsoft Access, diagrams from Visio, graphics from CorelDRAW, documents from Publisher, notes from OneNote, emails from Outlook, presentations from PowerPoint, designs from AutoCAD, or spreadsheets from Excel, there are reliable solutions available. Embrace these tools and enjoy a smooth transition to Mac OS without compromising on functionality.