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Can You Import an Excel Spreadsheet into Microsoft Planner?

Nimra Malik Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users want to know if it is possible to directly import an Excel workbook into Microsoft Planner to automatically generate project tasks and boards.

Can You Import an Excel Spreadsheet into Microsoft Planner?

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to migrate existing task lists and project tracking data from an Excel spreadsheet into a Microsoft Planner Kanban board.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner does not offer a built-in function to import Excel files directly, preventing automated conversion of spreadsheet rows into Planner tasks.

Before you start

Before attempting any automated workarounds, ensure your Excel data is formatted as a structured Table (Insert > Table), as automation tools require tables to read rows properly.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Power Automate as a Workaround

While direct import isn't available, you can use Microsoft Power Automate to automatically create Planner tasks from rows in an Excel table.

This method requires some initial setup but is highly effective for migrating large lists of tasks from Excel into Microsoft Planner without manual data entry.

Format and save your Excel file

Select your task data in Excel, press Ctrl+T to format it as a Table, and save the workbook to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint.

Create a Power Automate Flow

Log into Microsoft Power Automate, click 'Create', and select 'Instant cloud flow' or 'Automated cloud flow' depending on your preference.

Set the trigger

Choose the 'Excel Online (Business)' connector and select the 'List rows present in a table' action. Point it to your saved Excel file and table.

Add the Planner action

Add a new step, search for 'Planner', and select 'Create a task'. Map the dynamic content from your Excel columns (like Task Name and Due Date) to the corresponding Planner fields.

Run the flow

Save and test your flow. Power Automate will read the rows from your Excel table and automatically generate tasks in your specified Microsoft Planner board.

Use Microsoft Power Automate as a Workaround

Subscription Requirement: This workaround requires access to Microsoft Power Automate, which is typically included in most Microsoft 365 enterprise and business subscriptions.

Solution 2

Manually Recreate Tasks in Planner

If you only have a small number of tasks to migrate, manually copying and pasting your Excel data into Planner is the most straightforward approach.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Project Spreadsheets with WPS Office

While importing tasks into Microsoft Planner requires specific Microsoft 365 tools, you can easily create, manage, and format your project tracking spreadsheets using WPS Office. It is a lightweight, free alternative that is highly compatible with Microsoft Excel formats.

1. Download and install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Open your project file: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, click on 'Menu' and select 'Open' to load your existing Excel task tracker.
3. Utilize built-in templates: Explore the WPS Template library to find ready-to-use project management spreadsheets that can replace traditional Planner boards.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV formats.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.Includes a massive library of built-in project tracking and Kanban templates.Familiar tabbed user interface for a seamless migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Microsoft Planner add a direct Excel import feature in the future?

Currently, there is no official timeline or built-in feature announced for direct Excel imports. Users are encouraged to submit this request through the Microsoft Planner feedback portal.

Can I export Microsoft Planner tasks back to Excel?

Yes. While you cannot import, you can export your plan. Click the three dots (...) at the top of your Planner board and select 'Export plan to Excel' to generate a spreadsheet of your tasks.

Does Microsoft Project for the web support Excel imports?

No. Similar to Microsoft Planner, Project for the web does not currently support the direct importing of Excel projects. You must either recreate the projects manually or use migration automation tools.

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