Others

How to Assign a New Owner to a Microsoft Planner Plan

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to assign a new owner to a Planner plan after the original creator has left the company.

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The original creator of a Microsoft Planner plan has left the organization, leaving the remaining team members unable to manage plan membership.
Observed behavior: Plan members cannot add or remove users from the Microsoft Planner plan because they lack owner permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft 365 global administrator or Groups administrator privileges, as only administrators can modify group ownership for an orphaned plan.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign a New Group Owner via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Use the Microsoft 365 admin center to grant owner permissions to an existing plan member, allowing them to manage the plan's membership.

Every Microsoft Planner plan is connected to a Microsoft 365 group. When the sole owner of that group leaves, an administrator must step in to assign a new owner directly to the Microsoft 365 group. Once assigned, the new owner can manage the Planner plan normally.

Open Teams & Groups

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center as a global admin. On the left navigation pane, expand 'Teams & groups' and select 'Active groups'.

Select the Associated Group

Locate and click on the Microsoft 365 group that shares the exact name with the orphaned Planner plan.

Navigate to the Membership Tab

In the group settings panel that opens on the right, click on the 'Membership' tab.

Add New Owners

Select 'Owners', then click on 'Add owners'. Search for the user you wish to promote, check the box next to their name, and click 'Save changes'.

Permissions Updated: It may take a few minutes for the permissions to sync. Once synchronized, the newly assigned owner will be able to add or remove members directly within Microsoft Planner.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

While resolving administrative tasks in Microsoft 365 requires specific permissions, everyday document collaboration shouldn't be a hassle. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your team can effortlessly create, edit, and share documents without expensive subscriptions.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for Windows, Mac, or mobile.
2. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open any existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without losing formatting.
3. Collaborate Effortlessly: Use built-in sharing features to distribute documents to your team securely.

Free and lightweight office suite for seamless daily productivityHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxFamiliar UI design for zero learning curve and instant team adoptionBuilt-in PDF toolkit and cross-device syncing capabilities

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a regular member assign a new owner in Microsoft Planner?

No, standard members do not have the permissions required to modify group ownership. Only an existing group owner or a Microsoft 365 global administrator can assign owner rights.

What happens to a Planner plan if the only owner leaves the organization?

The plan becomes 'orphaned.' Existing members can continue to view and complete tasks, but no one can add new members, remove current members, or delete the plan until an IT administrator assigns a new owner.

How do I find out who the global administrator is for my company?

You can usually identify your global administrators by checking the 'Roles and administrators' section in Azure Active Directory, or by reaching out directly to your organization's IT support desk.

Office Quick Solutions