What's New for Planner in October 2024

Introducing the New Planner for the Web: A Seamless Rollout

The new Microsoft Planner experience for the web is now being rolled out to all users, starting with a targeted release to gather valuable feedback and ensure a smooth transition. This update brings a unified workspace where you can manage tasks across Microsoft To Do, Planner, and Project, all enhanced by the intelligent capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot for Planner (preview). This integration promises to streamline task management and boost productivity by consolidating your work in one intuitive platform.

For administrators, this rollout means easier oversight and management of organizational tasks, with the added benefit of AI-driven insights to optimize workflows. Users will appreciate the cohesive experience and the ability to switch effortlessly between different Microsoft 365 task tools without losing context.

Export Your Plans to Excel: Unlock Deeper Insights

One of the standout features in the new Planner is the ability to export your plans directly to Excel. This functionality allows both admins and users to view, analyze, and share plan data in a versatile format. Whether you want to create custom reports, perform advanced data analysis, or simply share progress with stakeholders, exporting to Excel makes it straightforward.

To use this feature, simply select the dropdown menu in the header of any plan and choose ‘Export to Excel’. This action opens up new possibilities for data manipulation and visualization beyond the Planner interface. Learn more about how to export a plan to Excel and maximize your data’s potential.

From an admin perspective, this export capability supports better reporting and decision-making, while users gain flexibility in how they track and present their work.

Copy Plans: Simplify Repetitive Workflows

If you often find yourself recreating similar plans, the new ‘Copy plan’ feature is a game-changer. This tool allows you to duplicate entire plans with ease, including all tasks and relevant details. Basic plans offer options to include priority, dates, descriptions, checklists, and labels, while premium plans automatically copy these elements along with attachments.

For users, this means less time spent on setup and more time focused on execution. Admins benefit from consistent plan templates that ensure standardization across teams and projects, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

Access Plans Created in Teams Meetings: Bridging Collaboration and Task Management

Collaboration just got smoother with the ability to view task lists created in Teams Meeting Notes directly within Planner. Using the Loop task list component, these tasks appear in the My Plans view, providing a seamless connection between meeting discussions and actionable items.

This feature empowers users to keep track of meeting outcomes without switching apps, enhancing productivity and follow-through. For administrators, it offers greater visibility into team activities and task progress stemming from meetings.

Discover how to add a task list to a meeting and integrate it with Planner.

Edit Recipient Teams for Task Publishing: Enhanced Flexibility for Frontline Organizations

Task publishing is a powerful feature designed for frontline organizations, enabling central leaders to distribute tasks across multiple locations and monitor execution. Recently, the ability to edit recipient teams for scheduled and recurring task lists has been introduced.

This update allows admins to adjust the list of recipients easily—perfect for adapting to organizational changes such as opening new locations or closing old ones. By clicking the menu next to the task list name, admins can update recipients for future task occurrences, ensuring that the right teams receive the right tasks at the right time.

This flexibility enhances operational agility and ensures task distribution remains aligned with evolving organizational structures. Learn more about task publishing in the official documentation.

New Templates to Boost Productivity: Customer Relationship Management and Ticket Triaging

To help teams hit the ground running, Microsoft Planner has introduced two new out-of-the-box templates focused on customer relationship management and ticket triaging. These templates provide structured frameworks that teams can customize to fit their specific workflows.

Users can access these templates by selecting the “+ New Plan” button in the Planner app and then choosing “See all templates.” This addition simplifies the setup process and encourages best practices in managing customer interactions and support tickets.

For admins, these templates offer a standardized starting point that can be rolled out across teams, promoting consistency and efficiency.

We Value Your Feedback: Help Shape the Future of Planner

Microsoft is committed to continuous improvement, and your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping Planner’s evolution. Users are encouraged to share their experiences and suggest new features using the Feedback button located in the top right corner of the app.

Additionally, the Planner Feedback Portal is an excellent platform to propose ideas and track feature requests. This open dialogue ensures that Planner remains responsive to the needs of its diverse user base.

Additional Resources to Explore

Planner Adoption Page – Discover tips and best practices for adopting Planner in your organization.
Planner Newsletter – Sign up to receive the latest updates and announcements.
Microsoft 365 Roadmap – Track upcoming Planner features and release timelines.
Planner Demos – Watch demonstrations to get inspired and learn how to maximize Planner’s capabilities.
What’s New and What’s Coming Next + AMA Recording – Catch up on the latest Planner updates and community Q&A.
Planner Help Page – Access comprehensive support and guidance for using Planner.

Source: Microsoft