Sync Project online with planner using the feature available in project online

Question

Hi,

I'm using Microsoft project and wanted to share specific tasks with owners in a plan.

This could be done via the button "Planner" in ms project ribbon (Task -->Link to)

Once you select the task and click on the botton, MS Project proposes to enter the plan name and the link is established.

Problem : When I check the plan I entered, there's no task in it !

I have several question here about this option :

1. What microsoft means by "LINK TO" ?
2. How to link several tasks to the same planner ?
3. How could a link exist without a task on both side ?
4. How to proceed to have the task created in microsot planner once the link is requested in Project online ?

Best regards

Answer 1

Dear KABBAJ-EXT Mouhsine,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

We are sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with syncing Project online with planner using the feature available in project online. I deeply understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

Kindly find the below information regarding the questions you mentioned:

1. What does Microsoft mean by "LINK TO"? The "Link to" feature in Microsoft Project allows you to create a connection between a task in Project and a plan in Microsoft Planner. This link helps manage tasks across both platforms, but it doesn't automatically create tasks in Planner.
2. How to link several tasks to the same Planner? Unfortunately, that you cannot link multiple tasks to the same Planner plan directly. Each task in Project can only be linked to one plan in Planner.
3. How could a link exist without a task on both sides? The link created by the "Link to" feature is more of a reference or shortcut. It doesn't automatically synchronize tasks between Project and Planner. This means that while the link exists, it doesn't imply that tasks are mirrored on both sides.
4. How to proceed to have the task created in Microsoft Planner once the link is requested in Project Online? To have tasks created in Planner, they need to be manually added after establishing the link. Here’s a step-by-step process:
   1. In Microsoft Project, select the task you want to link.
   2. Click on the "Planner" button in the ribbon (Task --> Link to).
   3. Enter the plan name and establish the link.
   4. Go to Microsoft Planner and manually create the tasks that correspond to those in Project.

Kindly refer to the following article for more details: Microsoft Planner: Linking Plans to a Project task | Microsoft Community Hub

We appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial response may not resolve the problem immediately. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. So, please let me know if you have any further questions or if there are any misunderstandings.

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Dear Ralph,

Thank you for providing the steps to link tasks between Microsoft Project and Planner. However, I must express my disappointment with the current level of integration between these two tools.

While Microsoft Project is often chosen for its ability to integrate with the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem, the process of syncing tasks with Planner feels unnecessarily manual and inefficient. Having to manually recreate tasks in Planner after establishing a link undermines the value of integration and adds unnecessary overhead to project management workflows.

Given that both tools are part of the Microsoft 365 suite, I expected a more seamless and automated synchronization process. Instead, users are forced to either invest additional time in manual work or seek third-party tools to bridge this gap, which adds cost and complexity.

I strongly urge Microsoft to enhance the integration between Project and Planner to enable true task synchronization, reducing manual effort and improving productivity for users who rely on both tools. This would align better with the promise of a connected and efficient Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope to see improvements in future updates.

Best regards,

Answer 3

Hi KABBAJ-EXT Mouhsine,

Good day! I hope you are doing well.

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback regarding the integration between Microsoft Project and Planner. I completely understand and share your concerns about the current level of integration between these two tools.

Your points about the manual and inefficient process of syncing tasks are well taken. As both Microsoft Project and Planner are integral parts of the Microsoft 365 suite, it is indeed reasonable to expect a more seamless and automated synchronization process. The additional time and effort required to manually recreate tasks, or the need to seek third-party tools, certainly add unnecessary complexity and cost to project management workflows.

I want to assure you that your feedback is highly valued. To help us improve our services, I kindly request that you provide your feedback on the Microsoft Feedback Portal Project · Community by clicking on feedback.

The product development team monitors this site 24 hours a day, and customer feedback is carefully considered. This will ensure that your suggestions are reviewed by the relevant teams and considered for future updates. We hope that this feature will be released in a future version of Project. I have also provided feedback on this issue.

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator