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Microsoft To Do and Microsoft Planner

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A planner and to do list are important because they keep your tasks and obligations in order. An organized list makes things more manageable and keeps you mentally focused on the tasks at hand.

This article will explain the uses and differences between the Microsoft To Do and Microsoft Planner applications.

For more information, please see the captioned video describing the differences between Planner and To Do.

Microsoft Planner

Get your group tasks done alongside your individual tasks, right from where you're working in Microsoft Teams, using the Tasks app. Planner is great for organizing team projects and assigning tasks. 

  • Your organization has a Microsoft 365 subscription (business, enterprise, or education)
  • Manage and schedule teamwork visually
  • Use charts to track progress
  • Collaborate across Planner, Teams, and Outlook using Microsoft Groups

Use these helpful resources to learn more about using Planner:

Create a plan with Planner in Teams (captioned video)

Using Planner

Here are some quick instructions on creating plans using Planner in the browser, the mobile app, or in Teams.

Create a new plan:
  • Select "New Plan" and "Add an existing Office 365 Group"

If your organization allows you to, create a new group:

  • Select "New Plan", enter a "Plan name", select "Create plan", and then select "Members"

Organize your team's work:

  • Organize your team’s work visually using custom buckets.
  • Filter and sort by date, assignments, and other preset values.

Schedule Planner tasks:

  • Select a task and add a Start date and Due date.
  • Or select Schedule and drag and drop the task where you want it on the calendar  

Teammates will get notification of assignments and other events through Planner notifications, Groups notifications, Teams notifications, mobile notifications, and more depending on the context.

Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do is a simple and intelligent to-do list that helps you manage all your tasks in one place. Organize your work, groceries, travel, shopping, movies to watch, etc.

  • Manage individual tasks
  • Make daily and weekly to do lists
  • Share specific lists with teammates or friends
  • Tasks can be broken down into simple steps 
  • Set due dates and reminders for tasks
  • Access through Outlook Tasks
  • You can access To Do from My Day in Outlook

Using To Do

Create a daily to-do list:

  • Select "My Day", select "Today", and select the items you want to add to your "My Day" list

Using Planner and To Do Together

  • In To Do, select Assigned to you to see tasks assigned to you.
  • In Teams, see your To Do tasks and Planner tasks alongside each other using the Tasks app.
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