Microsoft is set to launch a redesigned version of Planner in September 2026, featuring a streamlined interface, Goal integration, and enhanced collaboration tools, as part of its broader project-management overhaul.
Microsoft is moving closer to releasing a redesigned version of Planner, with the updated interface now listed on the Microsoft 365 roadmap for a September 2026 rollout. Microsoft first showed an early preview in February 2026, and the product is now marked as in development as the company prepares a broader refresh of its project-management tools.
The redesign is intended to make Planner simpler to use and more consistent across platforms. Microsoft says the new interface will have cleaner navigation and responsive layouts that adapt better to different screen sizes, with a particular focus on reducing the differences between Planner in Teams and Planner on the web. The aim is to give users a more uniform experience regardless of where they open the service.
A key part of the update is Goals, which Microsoft has said will be available on basic plans rather than being restricted to higher-priced subscriptions. That feature is designed to link individual tasks to wider objectives, giving teams a clearer view of how day-to-day work fits into broader priorities. Microsoft’s February announcement also pointed to task chat, a feature built for real-time collaboration, as part of the refreshed experience.
The timing of the redesign is significant because Microsoft is also reshaping its wider project-management stack. Project Online is due to retire on September 30, 2026, and premium scheduling tools from Project for the web have already been folded into the new Planner and Planner in Teams. At the same time, Microsoft has been expanding Planner’s reach elsewhere in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including integration with New Outlook and wider access for Microsoft 365 Copilot users. For organisations planning ahead, the direction is clear: Planner is becoming the company’s main entry point for task and project work.
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