How to open an XER file
- Open the scheduler and click Import.
- Choose the
.xerfile. It is read inside your browser and never uploaded. - Planline builds the schedule and recalculates the critical path. Look at it in the Gantt chart, the dashboard or the Excel report.
What is imported from the XER
| P6 data | In Planline |
|---|---|
| WBS (PROJWBS) | Summary rows with the same hierarchy and order |
| Activities (TASK) | Tasks and milestones with name, activity ID, original duration and start |
| Relationships (TASKPRED) | FS, SS, FF and SF links with lag converted to days |
| Progress | Actual start and finish dates, physical % complete, completed status |
| Resources (RSRC, TASKRSRC) | Resource names and budgeted units as man-hours |
| Constraints | Start-on or after constraints as "start no earlier than" dates |
| Default calendar | Hours per day, used to convert hour-based durations and lags |
If the file holds several projects, Planline opens the one with the most activities.
What an XER file is
XER is Primavera P6's own export format: a plain-text file of tab-separated tables (projects, WBS, activities, relationships, resources, calendars and more). Contractors and clients often exchange schedules as XER, which is a problem for anyone without a P6 licence.
Things to know
- Planline recalculates dates from the logic using its own CPM engine, so some dates can differ from P6 where P6-specific settings (activity calendars, retained logic vs progress override, resource levelling) drive the schedule.
- Activity codes, UDFs, steps and cost accounts are not imported.
- You can export the result as an Excel report or as MS Project XML to share with people who use MS Project or ProjectLibre.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an XER file without Primavera P6?
Yes. Import it into Planline in your browser. There is nothing to install and the file is not uploaded anywhere.
Can I convert XER to Excel?
Yes. Import the XER, then choose Export › Excel report or Export › Schedule as CSV.
Can I convert XER to MS Project?
Yes. Import the XER and choose Export › MS Project XML, which MS Project and ProjectLibre can open.
Can Planline save back to XER?
Not yet. Export options are Excel, CSV, MS Project XML and a Planline backup file.
Try it on your own schedule
Planline is free, needs no sign-up and keeps your data in your browser. Start from the sample project or import your own file.