Others

How to Fix Cannot Create a New Microsoft 365 Group in Planner

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to create a new Microsoft 365 group directly from within the updated Microsoft Planner interface when creating or copying a plan.

Product: Microsoft Planner (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a new project plan or copying an existing plan for a team or student group.
Observed behavior: The option to create a new group is missing or disabled; users are restricted to selecting from existing Microsoft 365 groups.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary administrative permissions to access the Microsoft 365 admin center, as the current workaround requires creating groups outside of the Planner application.

Solution 1Recommended

Create the Microsoft 365 Group via the Admin Portal

Bypass the limitation in the new Planner experience by manually creating your Microsoft 365 group in the admin portal before setting up your plan.

Because the latest update to Microsoft Planner has removed the ability to create a new Microsoft 365 group on the fly, you must now set up the group independently. Once the group exists in your tenant, it will appear as an option when you create your new plan.

Open the Admin Portal

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.

Navigate to Groups

In the left-hand navigation menu, go to 'Teams & groups' and then select 'Active teams and groups'.

Add a New Group

Click the 'Add a group' button, select 'Microsoft 365' as the group type, and follow the on-screen prompts to configure the group name, owners, and members.

Create Your Plan

Return to Microsoft Planner, click 'New plan', and select the 'Add to an existing Microsoft 365 Group' option to link the group you just created.

Solution 2

Submit Feature Restoration Feedback to Microsoft

Alert Microsoft to the workflow disruptions caused by removing the group creation feature to push for a future update.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

Frustrated with unexpected feature removals and convoluted workarounds in Microsoft 365? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs, boasting high compatibility with Microsoft formats without the administrative headaches.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Suite: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the lightweight application.
3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents with zero formatting loss.

Completely free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface.Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Lightweight design ensures lightning-fast loading and smooth performance on any device.All-in-one suite to manage documents and PDFs without dealing with complex web-based portals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the option to create a new Microsoft 365 group missing in Planner?

Microsoft recently updated the Planner experience, and during this transition, the direct feature to create a new Microsoft 365 group from the plan creation screen was removed. Users are currently required to select from pre-existing groups.

Can I switch back to the legacy version of Microsoft Planner to create groups?

No, Microsoft has phased out the legacy version of Planner, making it inaccessible. All users must now use the new interface and rely on the Microsoft 365 admin center for new group creation.

Do copied plans in the new Planner retain their task labels?

Many users and administrators have reported that copying plans in the updated Microsoft Planner fails to carry over task labels. You may need to manually recreate and reassign labels to your copied tasks.

Is there an official timeline for when Microsoft will fix the Planner group creation issue?

Currently, Microsoft has not released an official timeline for restoring the in-app group creation functionality. Users are encouraged to submit feedback directly through the app to escalate the issue.

Office Quick Solutions