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How to Tag or Mention People in Microsoft Planner

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users want to know how to tag or @mention colleagues who are not assigned to a task within Microsoft Planner discussions.

How to Tag or Mention People in Microsoft Planner

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on team tasks and needing to notify specific unassigned colleagues about a conversation or update.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Planner does not currently support direct @mentions for unassigned people in task comments or discussions.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Teams integrated with your Microsoft 365 group, as utilizing Teams channels currently serves as the most effective workaround for notifying team members.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign the Task or Add as Member

The most direct workaround within Planner is to officially assign the colleague to the task to trigger an automated notification.

Since direct @mentions are not supported in the comments, assigning a user is the only native way to ensure they receive a notification about the task.

Open the Task

Navigate to your Planner board and click on the specific task card you want to discuss.

Assign the Colleague

Click the 'Assign' button at the top of the task window.

Select the User

Search for the colleague's name in the dropdown list and select them. They will receive an email and Planner notification.

Temporary Assignment: If the colleague is not actually responsible for the task, you can unassign them once they have reviewed the comments.

Solution 2

Share and Mention via Microsoft Teams

Use Microsoft Teams to link the task and mention the person, bypassing Planner's communication limitation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will Microsoft Planner add an @mention feature in the future?

Many users have submitted feedback requesting this essential feature. While Microsoft frequently updates its Microsoft 365 roadmap, there is currently no official release date for tagging unassigned users directly in Planner comments.

How do I submit a feature request for tagging in Microsoft Planner?

You can submit feedback by clicking the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of Microsoft Planner and selecting 'Send Planner feedback'. Requesting the @mention feature helps developers prioritize it.

Can I use @mentions in Microsoft To Do instead of Planner?

Microsoft To Do integrates closely with Planner for personal task management, but it also lacks a dedicated @mention feature for unassigned team members within shared lists.

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