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Can You Send an Outlook Email Template Directly from Microsoft Planner?

Khadija Khan Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to directly open and send an Outlook email template that is attached to a task in Microsoft Planner without having to download it first.

Can You Send an Outlook Email Template Directly from Microsoft Planner?

Product: Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Streamlining recurring workflows, such as employee onboarding, by utilizing pre-configured email templates attached to specific Planner tasks.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner currently does not support opening and sending attached Outlook templates directly; the files must be manually downloaded and opened locally.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Microsoft Outlook desktop client installed on your computer, as you will need it to open the downloaded .oft or .msg template files.

Solution 1Recommended

Download and Send the Template Manually

Since direct sending from Planner is not supported, you must download the template to your local device before opening it in the Outlook client.

Currently, Microsoft Planner treats email templates like standard file attachments. To use them, you must bridge the gap between the web application and your local email client manually.

Download the attached template

Navigate to your task in Microsoft Planner, locate the attached Outlook email template file under the Attachments section, and click on it to download the file to your computer.

Open the file in Outlook

Locate the downloaded template (usually found in your system's Downloads folder) and double-click it. This action will automatically launch the Microsoft Outlook desktop application and open the template.

Edit and send the email

Fill in the specific recipient details, modify any necessary text for your current onboarding or recurring process, and click the Send button.

Template Formats: Make sure your templates are saved in a standard Outlook format (.oft or .msg) to ensure they open correctly when downloaded.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Since direct template integration is not currently on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, submitting feedback is the best way to request this feature for future updates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I open an Outlook template directly from Microsoft Planner?

Microsoft Planner currently processes email templates (.oft or .msg files) as standard file attachments rather than actionable email objects. The complex integration required to automatically launch these files in a local Outlook client from the web-based Planner interface has not been implemented.

Are there any plans for Microsoft to add direct template sending in the future?

As of right now, there is no official confirmation on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap indicating that this specific feature is in development. Users are strongly encouraged to submit their requests to the Microsoft Feedback Portal.

Can I automate sending emails from Planner tasks instead of using templates?

Yes. As a workaround for manual templates, you can use Microsoft Power Automate to create workflows. These workflows can be configured to automatically send customized emails via Outlook whenever a Planner task is created, assigned, or completed.

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