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How to Copy and Paste Multiple Checklist Items in Microsoft Planner

Nimra Malik Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to paste a list or spreadsheet column into a Microsoft Planner task checklist so that each line automatically converts into a separate checklist item.

How to Copy and Paste Multiple Checklist Items in Microsoft Planner

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to create a task checklist quickly by pasting multiple items from a pre-existing list or spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner does not support bulk pasting into checklists; pasting a multiline list places all text into a single checklist item instead of separating it line by line.

Before you start

Confirm that you have edit permissions for the Microsoft Planner board. Be aware that Microsoft Planner currently restricts checklist bulk-pasting, meaning items must be handled individually or via task duplication.

Solution 1Recommended

Duplicate an Existing Task with a Checklist

Since bulk pasting is not natively supported, the most efficient workaround is to create a template task with your standard checklist and duplicate it whenever needed.

If you frequently use the same checklist items across multiple tasks, you can save significant time by duplicating a master task rather than retyping the items each time.

Locate the task

Open Microsoft Planner and find a task that already contains the complete checklist you want to reuse.

Open the More Options menu

Click the three dots (More options) located in the upper right corner of the task card.

Select Copy task

Click on 'Copy task' from the drop-down menu to open the duplication settings.

Include the checklist data

Under the 'Include' section of the prompt, ensure that the 'Checklist' checkbox is selected.

Choose destination and copy

Select the target plan and bucket for the new task, then click 'Copy' to instantly generate a new task with the identical checklist.

Duplicate an Existing Task with a Checklist

Time-saving tip: Keep a dedicated 'Template Bucket' in your Planner board where you store reusable tasks with complex checklists for quick duplication.

Solution 2

Add Checklist Items Manually

If you have a unique list of items that cannot be duplicated from another task, you must enter each item manually.

Solution 3

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Request bulk pasting functionality directly from the Microsoft development team via the feedback portal.

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While Microsoft Planner has strict limitations on bulk data entry for checklists, you can easily manage extensive task trackers and checklists using WPS Office. As a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative, WPS Office allows you to seamlessly edit Excel sheets, copy and paste bulk items instantly, and manage complex project plans without steep learning curves.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free and launch the WPS Spreadsheet application.
2. Open a tracker template: Open a blank workbook or select a free To-Do List template from the integrated WPS Template library.
3. Paste your bulk list: Simply paste your multiline text or spreadsheet column directly into the cells; WPS Spreadsheet instantly separates each line into its own dedicated row.

100% format compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), Word (.docx), and PowerPoint (.pptx).Easily copy, paste, and manage complex checklists and multiline trackers in WPS Spreadsheet.Free, lightweight, and fast-loading across Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.Familiar user interface requiring no retraining for easy workflow migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I paste multiple rows from Excel into a Microsoft Planner checklist?

No. Pasting multiple rows from an Excel spreadsheet into a Microsoft Planner checklist will condense all the rows into a single checklist item. You currently have to copy and paste them one by one.

Is there a maximum limit to the number of checklist items in a Microsoft Planner task?

Yes, Microsoft Planner restricts task checklists to a maximum of 20 items per task. If your list exceeds 20 items, you should consider breaking the work down into multiple tasks or pasting the complete list into the task description field instead.

How do I move an existing task checklist to a completely different plan?

You can move or copy a task across plans. Click the three dots on the task card, select 'Copy task', ensure 'Checklist' is checked under the data to include, and select your new Destination Plan and Bucket from the dropdown menus before clicking 'Copy'.

Will Microsoft add bulk pasting to Planner checklists soon?

Microsoft updates Planner regularly based on user feedback, but there is no officially announced timeline for a bulk checklist paste feature. Users are highly encouraged to upvote this request on the Microsoft Feedback portal to increase its development priority.

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