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Will Microsoft Planner Add Categories to Private Tasks?

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if the newly unified Microsoft Planner will introduce categories or labels for private tasks, a feature currently available in To Do but historically missing for private tasks in Planner.

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing and categorizing private tasks using Microsoft's task management applications.
Observed behavior: The new Planner includes a Categories field, but there is no confirmed official documentation stating that categories or labels are supported for private tasks.

Before you start

Make sure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 account and using the latest version of Microsoft Planner to check for any recently deployed interface updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Since category support for private tasks is not officially confirmed, submitting a feature request is the most effective way to alert the Microsoft development team of user demand.

Microsoft heavily relies on user feedback to prioritize features during software rollouts. The Feedback Portal is the official channel where users can submit, track, and vote on feature requests.

Access the Feedback Portal

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Feedback Portal.

Search for Existing Requests

Use the search bar to look for terms like 'Planner private task categories' or 'Labels for private tasks in Planner'.

Vote or Create a New Suggestion

If you find a matching request, click to upvote it. If no exact match exists, click 'Send feedback' to create a new post detailing your need for labeling private tasks.

Current Status: There is currently no official documentation or timeline confirming when or if categories will be added to private Planner tasks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use labels or categories in Microsoft To Do?

Yes, Microsoft To Do supports labels for tasks and flagged emails. This makes it a great alternative if you need to heavily categorize personal tasks.

What is the primary difference between Microsoft Planner and To Do?

Microsoft Planner is primarily designed for team collaboration and project management, whereas Microsoft To Do is focused on managing individual, personal task lists.

Will Microsoft integrate To Do and Planner features?

Yes, Microsoft has been bringing together features from To Do, Planner, and Project into a unified task management experience within Microsoft Teams, though feature parity across all task types is still ongoing.

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