Data Import & Export

How to Import Excel Data into Planner Premium Using Power Automate

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to automate the import of data from Excel or Microsoft Lists into Planner Premium, which is failing because standard Planner Basic flows are incompatible with Premium plans.

Product: Planner Premium / Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing task lists from an Excel spreadsheet or Microsoft Lists into a Microsoft Planner Premium project.
Observed behavior: Power Automate flows designed for Planner Basic fail to import data into Planner Premium because the Premium version is built on Microsoft Dataverse and requires a different API connector.

Before you start

Verify that your account has an active Power Automate Premium license and that you have the correct permissions for your Dataverse environment and project.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Dataverse Connector to Import Tasks

Since Planner Premium relies on Microsoft Dataverse instead of Azure, you must use the Dataverse connector's unbound actions and specific project schedule APIs.

Planner Basic uses standard Azure infrastructure, while Planner Premium operates entirely on Microsoft Dataverse. To successfully import tasks, you must abandon standard Planner actions and utilize the Dataverse connector alongside a Premium license.

Select the Dataverse Connector

Open Power Automate and create a new flow. Choose the Microsoft Dataverse connector to begin setting up your Planner Premium automation.

Create an Operation Set ID

Add a 'Perform an unbound action' step. Configure it to generate an Operation Set ID using your specific project ID as the reference.

Map Excel Data to the Task API

Use the 'Add Task' action or call the project task API. Ensure you pass the newly generated Operation Set ID so the system maps your Excel or Lists data into Planner Premium tasks.

Execute the Operation Set

Add a final step to execute the operation set, which finalizes the import and creates the tasks within your Planner Premium environment.

Troubleshooting Missing Actions: If you cannot find 'CreateOperationSet' in the unbound action dropdown, double-check your Dataverse environment selection, confirm your Premium license status, and ensure you have the required project permissions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Prepare Your Spreadsheet Data with WPS Office

While importing tasks into Planner Premium requires complex Power Automate configurations, organizing your source Excel data shouldn't be difficult. WPS Office provides a highly compatible and lightweight alternative for formatting and managing your datasets before running automation flows.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free on your preferred operating system.
2. Open Your Task Data: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx or .csv task lists.
3. Format for Import: Clean up headers, organize your columns, and save the document seamlessly before triggering your Power Automate flow.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly across all devicesFamiliar user interface with zero learning curve for Excel usersBuilt-in advanced data formatting tools to ensure clean imports

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does importing Excel data into Planner Premium fail with standard connectors?

Planner Premium operates on Microsoft Dataverse rather than the standard Azure infrastructure used by Planner Basic. Because of this architectural difference, standard Planner connectors are incompatible, and you must use the Microsoft Dataverse connector instead.

What licenses are required to automate data imports to Planner Premium?

You need a Power Automate Premium or Power Apps Premium license. This allows you to access the Microsoft Dataverse connector, which is mandatory for interacting with Planner Premium APIs.

What should I do if the 'CreateOperationSet' action is missing in Power Automate?

If you cannot locate this action within the 'Perform an unbound action' dropdown, verify that your Premium license is active, ensure you are connected to the correct Dataverse environment, and check that you hold sufficient permissions for the target project.

Excel & Data Problems