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Microsoft announced a staged Planner update for early 2026 that adds task chats and goals while retiring or pausing several existing features. The changes do not have one universal switch date: the Microsoft 365 Message Center notice gives expected rollout timing, not confirmation that every organization has received every change. Check your tenant’s Message Center for its current status.
What Microsoft announced for Planner
Microsoft 365 Message Center notice MC1193421, published December 9, 2025 and updated February 19, 2026, says a major Planner update would begin rolling out in early 2026. Changes were expected to start between mid-January and mid-February, with new capabilities expected to begin rolling out in mid-February. Those dates are the notice’s expectations, not a guarantee of availability in every tenant. The detailed notice is reproduced in the Microsoft 365 Message Center archive.
What’s being added
Task chats in basic plans
Basic-plan tasks are set to gain task-level chats with rich-text formatting and @mentions. A colleague mentioned in a message receives a chat notification. The notice describes the new experience on Planner for the web and in Teams on web and desktop.
Goals in basic plans
Goals are slated to become available in basic plans to users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license or a Planner premium license. The notice does not describe this as an unrestricted feature for all basic-plan users.
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Project Manager agent
The Project Manager agent is described as available across plans for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Which Planner features are being removed or paused?
| Feature or workflow | Announced change | What it means for teams |
|---|---|---|
| Previous task comments | On web and desktop, old comments will no longer appear directly on a task; its details pane will link to an Outlook page where they can be viewed. The prior comments experience remains accessible in Planner mobile apps and Planner in Teams mobile. New task-chat messages will not be visible on mobile at that time. | Teams that rely on comments should account for different access on desktop and mobile, and distinguish old comments from new chat messages. |
| Whiteboard tab in premium plans | The Planner tab that created a Whiteboard and converted sticky notes into tasks will be retired. Existing Whiteboard content remains available in the Whiteboard app. The notice says there is no replacement for creating Planner tasks from that tab at this time. | Review any workflow that turns Whiteboard sticky notes into Planner tasks; the board remains accessible, but that tab-based conversion does not. |
| Planner component in Loop pages | Users will no longer be able to add a new component of this type. Existing component locations will show the plan URL, and tasks entered previously remain available in Planner. Microsoft recommends the Loop Task List Control for capturing task information. A similar Planner component is described as a longer-term goal, with no ETA. | Replace the task-capture step in Loop pages where needed, and use the plan itself to access existing tasks. |
| Viva Goals integration | The integration entry point disappears with Viva Goals’ retirement on December 31, 2025. | Teams using that entry point need another way to reach their goals information. |
| iCalendar feed integration | Users can no longer create new feeds, and tasks stop appearing in previously created feeds. The notice says there is no replacement at that time. | Calendar workflows that depend on Planner feeds will no longer receive task updates through those feeds. |
| Basic-to-premium plan conversion | Conversion is temporarily unavailable, rather than permanently retired. Microsoft says similar functionality is planned to return. During the pause, users must create a new premium plan and manually copy tasks. | If a conversion is needed during the pause, allow time for manual task copying. |
How licensing affects access
Planner is included with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions, but advanced premium capabilities require a paid license. Microsoft Support identifies Planner Plan 1 as required for views including Timeline, People, and Goals. Actual availability can also depend on rollout status, so confirm both your organization’s entitlement and its tenant notices before planning around a feature. See Microsoft’s Planner licensing and feature FAQ.
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What to check in your organization
- Whether teams use task comments in a browser or desktop app, and how mobile users will access old comments versus new chats.
- Whether premium-plan work depends on converting Whiteboard sticky notes into Planner tasks.
- Whether Loop pages contain Planner components that users still need to reach.
- Whether teams rely on Viva Goals integration entry points or iCalendar feeds.
- Whether a planned basic-to-premium conversion can wait, or requires creating a new premium plan and copying tasks during the pause.
- Whether the licenses assigned to users cover the premium views or Copilot-dependent capabilities they expect to use.
Browser performance note
In its February 19, 2026 update, Microsoft noted that some browsers may run more slowly with large basic plans containing more than 300 tasks. It recommended current versions of Edge 144 or higher or Chrome 144 or higher. This is Microsoft’s support guidance, not an independent performance benchmark.
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- 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.
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.
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