What is the MPD file format?
.mpd is a database file associated with Microsoft Project, a project management software based on Microsoft Access (Jet engine) technology. .mpd files store project data in database format - specifically, one or more complete project plans containing tasks, resources, assignments, and calendars in relational tables. Introduced with Microsoft Project 98 in 1997, the format let Project 98 through 2002 store multiple plans in a single file, useful for maintaining a shared resource pool across projects.
Internally, an .mpd file is a standard Microsoft Access / Jet database carrying the Standard Jet DB signature, so it can also be browsed directly in Microsoft Access. Unlike the single-project .mpp format that replaced it, .mpd stores multiple plans in one .mdb-compatible container.
Microsoft Project 2007 no longer uses .mpd files to save created projects, and later versions removed direct support entirely. .mpd files can be opened and viewed using legacy copies of Microsoft Project 98, 2000, or 2002, or by reading the underlying tables in Microsoft Access, but modern Project cannot open them directly. To migrate content, plans must typically be re-saved as .mpp.
Microsoft Project is a project management software that allows users to effectively manage resources (including human resources) given a budget constraint. It is compatible with Microsoft Office so resources can be freely exchanged between those tools. Microsoft Project offers many project automation options, such as automated chart creation. Users can create custom project templates that can be reused between different projects. Microsoft Project also offers an advanced reporting module and chart generator.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn .mpd is passive project/database data with no executable content, so the file itself is low risk - though, being an Access/Jet database, it could in theory carry Access macros, so open untrusted ones with macros disabled. The bigger practical issue is obsolescence: it needs old Project or Access to open, and you should migrate plans to .mpp/XML before the legacy tooling becomes unavailable. Avoid sketchy "MPD opener" download sites; use Project, Access, or the reputable MOOS/K-SOL viewers.
Format details
in a nutshell- MPEG-DASH Media Presentation Description (.mpd manifest) - A plain-XML manifest that indexes the segments of an MPEG-DASH adaptive video stream; opened by streaming players (VLC, dash.js), not Microsoft Project. See the dash KB.
- MiniDisc track list / Sony Net MD (.mpd) - Track/playlist data associated with MiniDisc software - unrelated to Project.
- Maptech / Moving Picture data (.mpd) - Used by some mapping and media utilities for their own data; unrelated to Project.
Programs that open MPD files
Windows4 apps
Microsoft Access
Paid Because an .mpd is a Jet/Access database, open it in Access to browse the tables and extract task/resource data. 
MOOS Project Viewer
Paid Open and view legacy Project files (Java-based, cross-platform); good for reading plans without owning Project. 
K-SOL Project Reader
Paid Open and read Microsoft Project files for viewing/printing without Project installed.
Microsoft Project (legacy 98/2000/2002)
Paid Open the .mpd in a Project version that still supports it, then File > Save As to export each plan to .mpp. 
Linux1 app
Technical details
deep spec| Container format | Microsoft Access / Jet database (Jet 3.x / 4.x engine) |
| Encoding | Binary, little-endian |
| File signature | "Standard Jet DB" at byte offset 0 - identical to the .mdb Access signature |
| Multi-project storage | A single .mpd file can hold multiple independent project plans in separate internal table sets |
| MIME type | application/vnd.ms-project |
| Typical file size | Hundreds of KB to tens of MB depending on the number and complexity of projects stored |
| Encryption | Optional Jet database password protection and encryption if configured |
| Compression | None - raw Jet/Access page storage without compression |
| Internal data structure | Relational tables storing tasks, resources, assignments, calendars, and project metadata |
| Compatible host applications | Microsoft Project 98, 2000, and 2002; Microsoft Access (direct table access) |
| Superseded by | .mpp for single projects; Project Server / SQL Server for multi-project storage (from Project 2003 onward) |
| Resource pool sharing | Designed to let multiple project plans share a common resource pool stored within one .mpd container |
| Platform | Windows only |
| Page integrity | Jet engine built-in page checksums; no separate document-level checksum |
| Also known as | Project 98 database, Project MDB database (due to its Access/.mdb heritage) |
| Released | Microsoft Project 98 (1997) |
| Latest version | Last used by Project 2000/2002; dropped in favor of .mpp and Project Server/SQL afterward |
| Specification | learn.microsoft.com |
MPD conversions
Community Q&A
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