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How to Create a Planner Template with Tasks Scheduled Before an Event

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to create a Microsoft Planner template that automatically schedules tasks a fixed number of days before a specific event date.

How to Create a Planner Template with Tasks Scheduled Before an Event

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up recurring planning workflows where task deadlines are relative to a main event date.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner does not currently support relative task dates based on another event within a template.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary Microsoft 365 group permissions to create and copy plans within your organization's Planner hub.

Solution 1Recommended

Copy an Existing Plan and Adjust Task Dates Manually

Since Planner lacks automated relative date templates, the best native workaround is to duplicate an existing plan and adjust the deadlines manually.

Microsoft Planner does not currently offer a built-in feature to calculate due dates based on a primary event date. To handle recurring workflows, you can use a completed or baseline plan as a manual template.

Open your baseline plan

Navigate to the Microsoft Planner hub and open the plan you want to use as your recurring template.

Copy the plan

Click the three dots (...) at the top of the plan interface and select 'Copy plan' from the dropdown menu.

Configure the new plan settings

Provide a name for the new event plan, select the appropriate Microsoft 365 Group, and ensure you check the box to include tasks.

Adjust task due dates manually

Open the newly created plan and manually update the start and due dates for each task based on your upcoming event schedule.

Copy an Existing Plan and Adjust Task Dates Manually

Submit Feedback to Microsoft: Because relative scheduling is a highly requested feature, consider submitting or voting for it on the official Microsoft Feedback Portal to encourage future implementation.

Efficient Task Planning

Use WPS Spreadsheet for Automated Relative Task Scheduling

While Microsoft Planner requires manual date adjustments, WPS Spreadsheet allows you to create highly customizable project planning templates. By using simple formulas, you can automatically calculate task deadlines a fixed number of days before your main event.

1. Create a new planning spreadsheet: Open WPS Spreadsheet and start with a blank workbook or choose a project planning template from the template library.
2. Set your main event date: Designate a specific cell (e.g., B1) for your main Event Date and enter the target date.
3. Apply relative date formulas: In the due date column for your tasks, enter a formula referencing the event date cell minus the required number of days (e.g., =$B$1-10 for a task due 10 days before).
4. Save as a template: Go to Menu > Save As, and select 'WPS Spreadsheet Template (.xltx)' so you can reuse this automated workflow for future events.

Automate task deadlines using basic date formulas (e.g., =EventDate - 5)Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) file formatsFree access to a wide variety of professional project management templatesLightweight, fast, and easy to share with your team

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Microsoft Power Automate to set relative dates in Planner?

Yes. While Planner doesn't natively support it, you can build a workflow in Power Automate that triggers when a new event is created, calculates the relative dates, and automatically generates Planner tasks with those specific due dates.

Will Microsoft add relative date templates to Planner?

Microsoft continuously updates its Microsoft 365 suite based on user feedback. The best way to track or encourage this feature is to visit the Microsoft Feedback Portal and upvote requests for relative task dates in Planner templates.

How do I ensure checklists are copied when duplicating a plan?

When you select 'Copy plan' in Microsoft Planner, checklists within tasks are automatically included in the copy. However, task assignments and task attachments are not carried over to the new plan.

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