How to Change Excel Import Dates for Microsoft Planner to Start on Monday
Question details
The user wants to change the default start day for tasks imported from Excel into Microsoft Planner so that the date pattern begins on Monday instead of Sunday.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Planner
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Importing task lists from an Excel spreadsheet into Microsoft Planner and mapping the correct start dates.
- Observed behavior
- Tasks imported from Excel automatically default to a Sunday-to-Thursday date pattern, ignoring the user's preference for a workweek starting on Monday.
Before attempting to re-import your tasks, ensure that the date columns in your Excel spreadsheet are formatted as actual 'Date' values rather than General text, as Planner relies on standardized date formats to parse start and due dates accurately.
Adjust Excel Dates Using a Helper Formula Before Import
Modify the task dates directly in your Excel spreadsheet to automatically shift Sunday dates to Monday before exporting the file to Planner.
Microsoft Planner often maps dates based on standard US regional settings (Sunday start). To force tasks to align with a Monday start without altering deep tenant settings, you can use a quick IF and WEEKDAY formula in Excel to adjust any Sunday task dates forward by one day before importing.
Open your Excel spreadsheet and insert a new blank column directly next to your existing 'Start Date' column.
In the first cell of the new column, enter the formula: =IF(WEEKDAY(A2)=1, A2+1, A2) (assuming A2 is your original date). This formula checks if the date is a Sunday (1) and adds one day to make it Monday.
Click and drag the fill handle at the bottom-right corner of the cell to apply this formula to all rows in your task list.
Highlight the newly generated dates, copy them (Ctrl+C), right-click the original date column, and select 'Paste as Values'. You can now delete the helper column.
Save your Excel file as a CSV or standard workbook (depending on your import method) and proceed to import it into Microsoft Planner.
Update Microsoft 365 Regional and Calendar Settings
Change your overarching Microsoft 365 and Outlook settings to ensure your default workweek is recognized as starting on Monday.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If you are struggling with complex Microsoft Excel date formulas or looking for a more intuitive tool to prepare your task imports, WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible, and user-friendly spreadsheet environment.
- 1. Download and install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the simple installation prompts.
- 2. Open your task spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the Excel file you intend to import into Planner.
- 3. Edit and save: Easily apply date modifications using familiar formulas, save the file in .xlsx or .csv format, and import it right into your project management tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Planner import my Excel tasks starting on Sunday?
Microsoft Planner often defaults to a Sunday-to-Saturday week based on default US regional settings. If your imported Excel file does not have explicitly defined start and end parameters that override this, Planner applies its regional default during the import process.
Can I bulk edit task start dates directly inside Microsoft Planner?
Unfortunately, Microsoft Planner currently lacks a native bulk-edit feature for dates. You must manually adjust the start date for each task individually, which is why modifying the dates in Excel prior to importing is highly recommended.
Will changing Excel's display format fix the Planner import issue?
No. Changing the date display format (e.g., from DD/MM/YYYY to a custom view) only changes how the date looks in Excel, not the underlying value. Planner reads the underlying date value, so you must use formulas to physically shift Sunday dates to Monday.
