Why Microsoft Planner Task Cards Turn Gray and How to Fix It
Question details
The user is trying to figure out why newly created task cards in Microsoft Planner display a light gray background instead of the standard white, as there are no built-in color settings causing it.
- Product
- Microsoft Planner
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adding multiple new tasks to a plan and noticing visual inconsistencies with card backgrounds.
- Observed behavior
- Certain task card backgrounds unexpectedly change from white to light gray. The behavior does not correlate with task age, due dates, or assignees, but appears after repeatedly using the "Add task" feature.
Ensure your browser is up to date and check your internet connection, as Microsoft 365 web apps sometimes display temporary visual glitches before completely syncing new data.
Open and Review the Newly Created Task
This resolves the gray background by changing the task status from an unread, newly added state to an opened state.
In Microsoft Planner, tasks added rapidly using the "Add task" button may occasionally appear with a gray background. This usually acts as an unspoken indicator of a newly added or "unread" task. By simply opening and closing the card, the application registers the interaction and restores the default white background.
Find the specific task card in your Planner board that has turned light gray.
Click directly on the gray task card to expand its details window.
Click outside the task card or use the close (X) button at the top right corner. The task card background will now be white.
Refresh Your Browser or Clear Cache
Use this method if opening and closing the task does not revert the color and you suspect a caching issue.
Manage Tasks and Projects Easily with WPS Office
While Microsoft Planner is suited for basic board tasks, WPS Office provides a comprehensive, free, and lightweight suite for advanced document and spreadsheet management. You can easily build dynamic task trackers and project timelines completely free.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Explore Templates: Open the application, click on 'New', and browse the extensive library of project management and task tracker templates.
- 3. Customize Your Workflow: Open a template in WPS Spreadsheet to categorize, track, and manage your team's tasks effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I manually change the background color of a task card in Microsoft Planner?
No, Microsoft Planner currently does not offer a built-in feature to change or customize the background color of individual task cards. You can only assign colored labels to the edges of the card for categorization.
Why do my tasks look gray immediately after using the 'Add task' button?
This behavior typically occurs when multiple tasks are created in quick succession. The gray background temporarily indicates that the task has just been created and has not yet been opened or reviewed by the user.
Will task cards turn gray when they are overdue?
No, overdue tasks in Microsoft Planner do not turn gray. Instead, the due date text turns red to highlight that the deadline has passed.
