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How to Sort and Resize Columns in Microsoft Planner Grid View

Bushra Parveen Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is looking for a way to sort tasks by clicking column headers, adjust column widths, wrap text, and print directly from the Grid View in Microsoft Planner.

How to Sort and Resize Columns in Microsoft Planner Grid View

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing and managing project tasks comprehensively within the Microsoft Planner Grid View interface.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner Grid View currently lacks clickable column-header sorting, adjustable column widths, text wrapping, and native printing capabilities. Furthermore, these behaviors inconsistently vary between the standalone Planner web app and the Planner integration in Microsoft Teams.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft Teams application and web browsers are fully updated, as Microsoft frequently rolls out interface changes and feature toggles for Planner.

Solution 1Recommended

Access Planner Grid View via Microsoft Teams

Opening Planner directly within Microsoft Teams may provide slightly different grid behaviors and sorting capabilities compared to the standalone web version.

Because Microsoft rolls out interface updates differently across its ecosystem, the 'Tasks by Planner' app in Microsoft Teams occasionally retains older functionalities or different sorting behaviors than the standard Microsoft 365 web version.

Open Microsoft Teams

Launch the Microsoft Teams desktop application or open it in your web browser and navigate to the specific Team and Channel where your plan is located.

Navigate to the Planner Tab

Click on the 'Planner' or 'Tasks by Planner and To Do' tab located at the top of your channel interface.

Switch to Grid View

Click on the 'Grid' view option at the top right of the Planner interface. Try clicking the column headers (e.g., 'Due Date' or 'Priority') to see if sorting is supported in this environment.

Access Planner Grid View via Microsoft Teams

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Since adjustable column widths and text wrapping are known product limitations, submitting feedback helps prioritize these features in future Microsoft updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Tasks Flexibly with WPS Spreadsheet

If Microsoft Planner's rigid Grid View is limiting your project management, consider using WPS Spreadsheet. It offers a highly customizable grid where you can easily resize columns, wrap text, sort data with a single click, and print task lists exactly how you want them. WPS Office is lightweight, completely free, and a robust alternative to restrictive online task managers.

1. Export Planner Tasks: In Microsoft Planner, click the three dots (...) at the top of your plan and select 'Export plan to Excel'.
2. Open with WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, open the downloaded .xlsx file, and enjoy full control over column widths, text wrapping, and data sorting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for seamless task list importing and exporting.Easily resize columns, wrap text, and apply custom multi-level sorting to any column header.Advanced print preview settings to ensure your task grid prints perfectly on one page.Lightweight, fast, and completely free alternative to expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wrap text in Microsoft Planner Grid View?

Currently, Microsoft Planner does not support text wrapping in Grid View. Long task names or details will be truncated visually. You must click into the specific task card to view the full text details.

Why can't I change the column width in the new Teams Planner?

The inability to adjust column widths is a known product limitation introduced in the new Planner interface rolled out in 2024. Microsoft has locked the grid layout for consistency, though many users have requested the return of resizable columns.

How do I print my Microsoft Planner task list?

Microsoft Planner lacks a native print button for the Grid View. To print your tasks, you can export the plan to Excel (by clicking the three dots menu and selecting 'Export plan to Excel') and print from a spreadsheet application, or use your browser's built-in print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P).

Why does Grid View sorting work differently in Teams compared to Planner for Web?

Microsoft often rolls out different versions of the Planner interface across its ecosystem. The Teams integration ('Tasks by Planner') and the standalone Planner web app may run on slightly different codebase versions, occasionally leading to inconsistent features like sorting behaviors.

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