Delete a plan by opening it, then selecting the menu and choosing delete

To delete a plan in Microsoft Planner, open the plan you want to remove, select the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, and choose Delete plan. Microsoft will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the plan and all its tasks are permanently removed — you cannot undo this action.

The process takes about 30 seconds. You need to be the plan owner or have admin permissions in your Microsoft 365 workspace to delete a plan. If you do not see the delete option, you likely do not have the right permissions — ask your workspace admin or the person who created the plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Only the plan owner or workspace admin can delete a plan; other members cannot remove it even if they have edit access.
  • Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure no one else on your team needs the plan or its task history before you proceed.
  • If you want to keep the plan but stop using it, you can remove yourself from it instead of deleting it entirely.
  • Deleting a plan removes all tasks, comments, and attachments associated with it.

Step-by-step: deleting your plan

Open Microsoft Planner and find the plan you want to delete. Click on the plan name to open it. In the top right corner of the plan view, you will see a three-dot menu icon (sometimes called the "more options" menu). Click it.

A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Look for Delete plan near the bottom of the menu. Click it. Microsoft will show a confirmation dialog asking "Are you sure you want to delete this plan?" with a warning that this action cannot be undone. Click the red Delete button to confirm. The plan will be removed when ready.

Who can delete a plan and who cannot

Only the person who created the plan (the plan owner) or a Microsoft 365 workspace admin can delete a plan. Team members with edit access can add tasks, change due dates, and modify the plan's content, but they cannot delete the plan itself. If you try to click the three-dot menu and do not see the delete option, you do not have permission.

If you need a plan deleted but you are not the owner, contact the person who created it or ask your workspace admin. They can delete it for you or give you the permission to do so. In some organizations, only the admin can delete plans to prevent accidental removal of shared work.

What happens to tasks and information when you delete a plan

When you delete a plan, everything inside it is deleted too: all tasks, subtasks, comments, attachments, and due dates. There is no archive or trash folder where deleted plans sit — they are gone permanently. This is why it is important to check with your team before deleting, especially if the plan contains task history or information people might need later.

If you think you might need the plan again or want to preserve its information, take a screenshot or export the task list before deleting. You can also straightforward remove yourself from the plan instead of deleting it, which keeps it available for others but removes it from your own view.

Removing yourself from a plan instead of deleting it

If you no longer want to see a plan but do not want to delete it for everyone else, you can remove yourself as a member. Open the plan, click the three-dot menu, and select Remove me from this plan. This option appears below the delete option and only removes you — the plan stays intact for other team members.

This is useful when you have finished a project and do not need the plan anymore, but your teammates might still refer to it. The plan remains in your workspace, but you will not receive notifications about it and it will not appear in your personal plan list unless you rejoin.

Recovering a deleted plan

Microsoft Planner does not have a recovery feature for deleted plans. Once you confirm the deletion, the plan cannot be restored. If you deleted a plan by mistake, your only option is to recreate it manually with the same tasks and information, which can be time-consuming.

Before you delete, double-check that you are removing the correct plan and that no one else needs it. If you are unsure, ask your team or your workspace admin. Taking 10 seconds to confirm is much faster than recreating an entire plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a plan if I am not the owner?

No, only the plan owner or a workspace admin can delete a plan. If you need it deleted, contact the person who created it or ask your admin. You can remove yourself from the plan without needing permission.

What if I delete a plan by accident?

Deleted plans cannot be recovered in Microsoft Planner. If you deleted it by mistake, you will need to recreate it manually. This is why Microsoft asks you to confirm before deleting — take time to make sure you are removing the right plan.

Can I hide a plan instead of deleting it?

You cannot hide a plan, but you can remove yourself from it. Open the plan, click the three-dot menu, and select Remove me from this plan. The plan stays for others, but you will not see it anymore.

Does deleting a plan delete it from everyone's view?

Yes, when you delete a plan, it is removed for all team members. Everyone loses access to the plan and its tasks. Make sure your whole team knows before you delete a shared plan.

Can I delete a plan if it has tasks assigned to other people?

Yes, you can delete a plan even if it has tasks assigned to team members. Those people will lose access to their tasks when the plan is deleted. Notify them before you delete so they are not surprised.