iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In Microsoft Planner, buckets are named categories that keep related tasks together—for example, by project phase, workstream, department, or type of work. To set them up, open the plan’s Board view, select Group by > Buckets, choose Add new bucket, and then add tasks or move existing cards into the new column.
Choose a useful way to divide the work
Before adding columns, decide what each bucket should mean for this plan. Microsoft lists phases, types of work, departments, workstreams, and topics as possible categories. A good rule of thumb is to use one organizing dimension for the buckets, so teammates can tell what belongs in each column.
For example, a project plan might use phase buckets such as “Planning,” “In progress,” and “Review.” A support plan might instead use work-type buckets. Avoid making buckets that simply duplicate a field the team wants to view temporarily, such as assignee, due date, or status: Planner can group tasks by those fields without changing their bucket assignments.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Create a bucket and put tasks in it
- Open the plan’s Board view. If the board is not showing bucket columns, select Group by > Buckets.
- Select Add new bucket. Enter a name that describes the category and confirm it.
- Add tasks. Use the plus control beneath the bucket name to create a task there, or drag an existing task card into the column.
Microsoft’s bucket instructions and its Planner training guide describe this workflow.
#1 Best Overall
- Half Meeting Half Note: 1.MEETING PLANNING: Date, Location, Topic & Attendees 2.MEETING MINUTES: Agenda, Quick Notes & Other 3.NOTES AREA: Lined Page 4.ACTION ITEMS: Action Steps, Person, Due Date & Check Box 5.NEXT MEETING: Date, Time & Location 6.INDEX PAGE: Date, Title, Page Number, which will help create more effective meetings and good results.
- Premium Quality Notebook for Work: Golden spiral binding is sturdy and flexible, with easy-to-turn pages. Hot-stamped cover is water-resistant and not easy to bend. Bonus Bookmark and Pockets. Perfectly hold up well to frequent transfers in and out of backpacks, briefcases, and cars.
- Fight Ink-bleeding & Great Size: The high-end 100gsm paper could prevent ink bleeding through or feathering, handle double-sided writing and most daily use pens pretty well. The office/business work notebook measures 7.5"x 10"(similar to B5 size), Generous size provides ample space to jot down your meeting notes.
- Each 160 Pages Per Book: Provide ample space for note taking & planning and with the date section at the top for tracking them. With 160 pages for meeting minutes, the manager notebook will cover more than half a year, even in daily use. Also provides index pages for organizing this office planner.
- Better Tool Drives Better Meetings: The hassle of organizing the chaotic meeting notes VS this professional meeting notebook. Definitely a step up! Everything is neatly zoned on each page makes it a breeze to fill them out and ensure all you need are accounted for.
Rename or reorder buckets
To rename a bucket, select its name and enter the replacement. The default To Do bucket can also be renamed. To change the column order, drag a bucket title to its new position. In the new Planner, the bucket’s three-dot menu also includes Move right and Move left.
Use buckets, labels, grouping, and filters for different jobs
Buckets give tasks a primary category. If tasks in different buckets share another characteristic, use colored labels to mark that cross-cutting commonality rather than creating duplicate buckets.
Rank #2
- The Cambridge Action Planner Business Notebook has a gray soft-touch cover and ultra-smooth finish
- Notebook contains 80 double-sided sheets of white, legal ruled paper for a total of 160 notetaking pages
- Action Planner pages have designated sections for date, project number, title, notes and actions for easy organization
- Pages are perforated for clean and easy removal
- Pages measure 8-1/2" x 11"
Grouping changes how tasks are displayed; it does not have to redefine the plan’s categories. Planner supports grouping by fields including assigned person, bucket, labels, due date, priority, and status in Board and Grid views. Filters narrow which tasks are visible. Microsoft outlines plan views and organization options in its plan creation and management guidance.
Recommended Free Tools
- Choose buckets for categories that are a stable part of how the team organizes the plan.
- Use labels when a task needs an additional classification that can apply across buckets.
- Group by a field when you want a different view of the same tasks.
- Filter when you only need to narrow what is currently visible.
Color-code buckets where available
On premium plans, Microsoft’s current support instructions say buckets can be color-coded with the paint-can control. This is separate from task labels: bucket color helps distinguish columns, while labels mark shared characteristics of tasks.
Rank #3
- Half Meeting Half Note: 1.MEETING PLANNING: Date, Location, Topic & Attendees 2.MEETING MINUTES: Agenda, Quick Notes & Other 3.NOTES AREA: Lined Page 4.ACTION ITEMS: Action Steps, Person, Due Date & Check Box 5.NEXT MEETING: Date, Time & Location 6.INDEX PAGE: Date, Title, Page Number, which will help create more effective meetings and good results.
- Premium Quality Notebook for Work: Golden spiral binding is sturdy and flexible, with easy-to-turn pages. Hot-stamped cover is water-resistant and not easy to bend. Bonus Bookmark and Pockets. Perfectly hold up well to frequent transfers in and out of backpacks, briefcases, and cars.
- Fight Ink-bleeding & Great Size: The high-end 100gsm paper could prevent ink bleeding through or feathering, handle double-sided writing and most daily use pens pretty well. The office/business work notebook measures 8.5"x 11"(similar to A4 size), Generous size provides ample space to jot down your meeting notes.
- Each 160 Pages Per Book: Provide ample space for note taking & planning and with the date section at the top for tracking them. With 160 pages for meeting minutes, the manager notebook will cover more than half a year, even in daily use. Also provides index pages for organizing this office planner.
- Better Tool Drives Better Meetings: The hassle of organizing the chaotic meeting notes VS this professional meeting notebook. Definitely a step up! Everything is neatly zoned on each page makes it a breeze to fill them out and ensure all you need are accounted for.
If “Add new bucket” is missing
Check the board’s grouping setting. If it is grouped by a field other than buckets, the bucket-creation control may not appear where expected. Select Group by > Buckets and check again.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Expect some interface differences
Microsoft says the new Planner is rolling out, so controls can vary depending on whether an account has moved to the new experience. Its bucket support page provides separate instructions for the newer Planner and for users who have not yet moved; it also directs GCC, GCC High, and DoD government-cloud users to alternate instructions. Follow the steps that match the interface and environment shown in your account.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Discover Balance & Boost Productivity: 6-Month Undated B5 Daily Planner, Manifestation Journal & Self Coaching Notebook. Productivity tools created with simplicity in mind, to empower busy people to take back control of their time.
- Planner + Notebook All in 1: Annual Calendar, Notes Index, Monthly & Weekly to do list planner dashboards, 93 numbered dotted note pages for expanded task lists, notes, or sketches. All-in-one business planner, notebook and life organizer.
- Smash Your Goals & Prioritize Wellness: 5 Roles & Goals templates for purposeful goal setting. Reading, Bucket lists, & Self Care journal. AM/PM Routines, habit, nutrition, fitness, and health trackers included. Perfect planners 2025-2026 for women and men.
- Satisfying Writing: High performance planner with stitch-bound lay-flat pages. Sturdy PU leather planner hard & softcover options. 100GSM no-bleed, no-smudge paper. 2 ribbon bookmarks, elastic closure, back pocket and smoothly rounded edges.
- Voted Best Time-Management Planner: NY Magazine Strategist's Best Time-Management Weekly Planner 2026. ADHD planner for adults created by an ADHD sufferer to reduce the overwhelm and rediscover purpose. Pair with Roterunner Erasable Pens!
Rank #4
- Cambridge Limited Action Planner Business Notebook is the perfect choice for project planning, task follow-up, tracking to-do lists and more. Gray soft-touch cover has an ultra-smooth finish.
- Custom pages have designated sections for Date, Project Number, Title, Notes and Actions on each page
- Action section is numbered for easy organization
- Includes 80 sheets of ruled, 20 lb. premium paper. Every page is perforated for clean removal.
- Gray notebook has a cover that is soft to the touch with twin wire binding. 7-1/4" x 9-1/2" page size.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
