MS Planner - Licensed user seeing limitations (Parent level creation)

Question

MS Planner - Licensed user seeing limitations (Parent level creation)

Jason H 0

Hello - I have been cleaning up a somewhat large MS Planner project file approximately 700 lines by creating logical milestone/ parent level topics to group subtasks. Today the applications stopped allowing me to in or outdent and create more parent level groups.

The following error occurred ... One or more tasks could not be made subtasks as a subtask cannot depend on its parent.Correlation ID: 809dab0c-fac5-4545-8590-92c23a6d3994

It's hard to believe, a SAAS product would limit a user especially when it comes to basic project planning functionality, as in, this is like project planning 101 functionalities for any PM tool.

Note: Our business uses the E3 license.

2 answers

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Answer 1

Hello Jason,

Thank you for posting question on Microsoft Windows Forum.

Based on the provided error message "One or more tasks could not be made subtasks as a subtask cannot depend on its parent.Correlation ID: 809dab0c-fac5-4545-8590-92c23a6d3994" which might suggest a limitation or conflict related to Task Dependencies within your project. On the other hand, Planner is not a full-blown project management tool like Microsoft Project. Since it is designed more as a lightweight task board. That is the reason why some “project planning 101” features, like true hierarchical task structures with unlimited parent/child levels, are not fully supported.

The following are a few of suggested for workarounds.

1.Buckets & labels:

Instead of parent/child indentation, use buckets to represent milestones or phases, and labels to group related tasks.

2.Checklist items:

For lightweight subtasks, use the checklist inside a task. They will not have dependencies, but they help break down work.

3.Switch to Project for the Web:

If you need proper hierarchies, dependencies, and large-scale planning, Project for the Web (included in some Microsoft 365 plans, or as an add-on) is the tool designed for that.

In your case, it is highly likely of that the Planner is hitting its design ceiling. The error might not be a bug so much as a limitation of the product. If your team needs true parent/child task management with dependencies, you will want to look at Project for the Web or even Project Online. Planner is great for team task boards, but it is not meant to replace a full project management suite.

Hope the above information is helpful!

Answer 2

Jason H 0

Chen - thanks for the information. Based on your input, I looked online for 'Project for the Web' and found that all roads lead into MS Planner. And that is refreshing and confusing all in the same thought. Again, if we already have an E3 license, it seems like Project for the Web/ MS Planner are one in the same, or am I thinking about this wrong. In that I just request my IT 'add-on' Project for the Web?

Chen Tran 3,285 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-22T17:59:09.59+00:00

Hi Jason,

Thank you for your extra information!

For Microsoft Planner which includes with Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses. Designed for lightweight task and team management such as Kanban boards, buckets, checklists and suitable for small teams or simple projects.

Regarding Project for the Web which is a built on the same underlying platform as Planner, but it is a premium project management tool. Offering Gantt charts, grid views, dependencies, scheduling, and resource management of that MS Planner does not do.

In short, with E3 alone, you already have MS Planner (basic task management). In case you want Project for the Web features like timelines, dependencies, advanced scheduling. you might need your IT team to assign you a Project Plan license add-on.

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MS Planner - Licensed user seeing limitations (Parent level creation)

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