License & Subscription Issues

Can Planner Basic Users View Premium Gantt Charts? | WPS Support

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if team members with a Microsoft Planner Basic license are able to view Timeline or Gantt charts that were created by users holding a Planner Premium license.

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing project timelines and Gantt charts across different license tiers within a Microsoft 365 organization.
Observed behavior: Users with Planner Basic are blocked from viewing the Timeline or Gantt chart and can only access the standard features included in their basic plan.

Before you start

Verify the current Microsoft 365 and Planner license types assigned to your team members in the Microsoft 365 admin center before attempting to share Premium views.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade Users to a Planner Premium License

To directly view and interact with Timeline and Gantt charts within Microsoft Planner, Basic users must be upgraded to a Premium plan.

Microsoft restricts access to advanced project management views based on the user's individual license. Upgrading the user's license is the only way to grant them native access to the Timeline and Gantt chart interfaces.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to User Licenses

Go to the 'Users' menu on the left sidebar, click on 'Active users', and select the specific user who needs access to the Gantt chart.

Assign Premium License

Click on the 'Licenses and apps' tab in the user properties panel, check the box for Microsoft Planner Premium (or Project Plan 1/3/5), and click 'Save changes'.

License Propagation Time: It may take up to 24 hours for the new premium license to fully propagate and unlock the Gantt chart views for the user in Planner.

Solution 2

Export Project Data to Excel for Basic Users

If upgrading licenses is not feasible, Premium users can export the timeline data to a spreadsheet so Basic users can view the project schedule externally.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Project Timelines for Free with WPS Office

Avoid restrictive licensing tiers by creating and sharing your Gantt charts in WPS Spreadsheet. WPS Office is a free, lightweight suite that is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, allowing seamless collaboration across your entire team.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free on your preferred device.
2. Access Free Templates: Open WPS Spreadsheet, go to the Template library, and search for 'Gantt chart' to find professional, ready-to-use project tracking templates.
3. Share Freely: Customize your project timeline and share the .xlsx file with your team—everyone can view and edit without needing a premium license.

Create powerful Gantt charts and project timelines without premium subscription fees.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files for seamless external sharing.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.Familiar user interface with a massive library of free project management templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features are included in Microsoft Planner Basic?

Planner Basic includes standard task management, Kanban board views, grid views, and basic charts. It excludes advanced dependencies, Timeline views, and Gantt charts, which are reserved for Premium plans.

Can I share a Planner Premium Gantt chart with external guests?

No, Microsoft enforces licensing at the user level. Even external guests must have an appropriate Premium license assigned to their guest account in your tenant to view Premium features like the Timeline.

Is there a free way to create a Gantt chart without Planner Premium?

Yes, you can use spreadsheet software like WPS Spreadsheet to build customized Gantt charts using stacked bar charts and conditional formatting, entirely avoiding premium software costs.

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