Visio and Microsoft Project are partially included in standard Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) subscriptions, but full access to their advanced features requires additional plans. Here’s how these tools are included and what options to unlock their full potential.
Microsoft Visio in Microsoft 365
Which Microsoft 365 Licenses Include Access to the Visio Web App?
The Visio web app is integrated into various Microsoft 365 plans, ensuring wide accessibility across different user needs. Here’s a breakdown of the licenses that include this feature:
Business Plans
- Business Basic
- Business Standard
- Business Premium
- Apps for Business
Enterprise Plans
- Office 365 E1
- Office 365 E3
- Office 365 E5
- Office 365 F3
- Microsoft 365 F3 (including Office 365 F3)
- Microsoft 365 E3 (including Office 365 E3)
- Microsoft 365 E5 (including Office 365 E5)
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
Education Plans
- Office 365 A1
- Office 365 A3
- Office 365 A5
- Microsoft 365 A1 (as a one-time, per-device license paired with free Office 365 A1 per user licenses)
- Microsoft 365 A3 (including Office 365 A3)
- Microsoft 365 A5 (including Office 365 A5)
These varied plans ensure that businesses and educational institutions, large and small, have the tools they need to visualize and share information effectively.
Visio Plan 1: This plan is required if you want to create professional diagrams collaboratively online. It offers more templates and tools than the basic features included in standard subscriptions.
Here’s what you need to know about the recent update for Visio within Microsoft 365:
A version of Visio, the popular diagramming tool, will soon be integrated into Microsoft 365 at no additional charge for those with commercial licenses. This move is set to begin in July, offering users a “lightweight” web app version of Visio. While this integration adds value to the suite, the version included is more streamlined and may not possess all the functionalities of the standalone Visio product.
Visio Plan 2: For those needing to generate enterprise-level diagrams with a comprehensive set of tools, including advanced diagramming capabilities and desktop application access, Visio Plan 2 is necessary.
Microsoft Project in Microsoft 365
Microsoft Project has been integrated into the new Planner app within Microsoft 365, consolidating project management tools into a single platform.
Basic Features: The new Planner app includes basic project management features, primarily derived from the original Microsoft Planner. These features are available in most Microsoft 365 plans and cover fundamental task management and collaboration needs.
Advanced Features (Plan 3 or Plan 5): To access the advanced project management capabilities originally available in Microsoft Project—such as detailed scheduling, Gantt charts, and resource management—you need to upgrade to Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5. These plans provide a more robust project management experience within the Planner app.
Adding Visio and Project to Office 365
To get the advanced versions of Visio and Microsoft Project in Office 365, follow these steps:
Access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Log in with administrative credentials.
Purchase the Appropriate Plan: For Visio: Choose either Visio Plan 1 or Plan 2 based on your requirements. For Project: Opt for Project Plan 3 or Plan 5 to unlock advanced project management tools.
Assign Licenses: Allocate the acquired licenses to users within your organization.
Install and Access: For Project: Install the Planner app in Microsoft Teams by searching for “Planner” in the Teams app store and clicking “Add.” For Visio: Use Visio through the web or desktop application according to the selected plan.
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What is the difference between Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project?
