This template contains the core functionality needed to create a simple Gantt chart easily. Each row of the worksheet represents a separate task. All you need to do is define the start date and duration of each task. To add more tasks, you just copy and paste rows (or insert a row then press Ctrl + D to copy formulas down). Gantt charts are practical project management tools that help anyone in visualizing the specific tasks of your project. To gain access to such a useful tool, be sure to download our high-quality Gantt chart templates that you can conveniently edit in Microsoft Excel.

Gantt Chart Excel Template Free Download

The Gantt Chart found here is designed to work in any version of Excel from 2003 forward. People commonly use Gantt Charts to plan and manage projects. There are several Gantt Chart options available from very simple to quite complex. This chart is somewhere in between.

Gantt Chart is an essential tool to manage projects. The importance and usefulness of these templates cannot be denied. We can easily monitor the performance and development of our project by using these charts.

Often, Gantt Chart Template give the opportunity to managers to rough estimations about the deadline and time of completion of projects. As some projects are lengthy and somewhat tricky, they need proper planning and calculations. These helpful tools keep you on track in your project.

Related Reading: Project Progress Tracking With Statistical Process Control Template

Project Management and Gantt Chart Template

These charts can be used for a variety of different projects. For instance, you can use to handle your business, for trial projects, and many more. The list of the project which can be operated through the Gantt Chart Template is endless.

The usage of these changes comes in very handy when handling a complicated multi-phase project.

This allows you to set various timelines and set completion goals. These tools also facilitate analyzing the project and its tasks in different phases. Consequently, this tool is extremely useful and essential for project management.

here in this reading, we will see What is Gantt chart template in Excel? How to create a Gantt chart in Excel? How do I create a project timeline in Excel?

Gantt chart format

A Gantt chart is a category of bar chart which demonstrates a project schedule. This chart takes a note and make a list of tasks going to be performed documented vertical axis, and time periods on the parallel axis. The width of the bars in the graph represent the duration of each movement and action.

Components of a Gantt Chart

The Gantt charts are useful tools for structuring and organizing projects. These charts are very simple and straight forward. You can alter it according to your need.

Therefore, if you are creating a Gantt chart you should guarantee that you have the subsequent information in it:

Actions

The first thing you should include is each activity regarding the project. You should not miss even minor details. As sometimes minute details can lead to big issues. So, make sure to add all the actions and activities of the project in the Gantt chart. Consequently, you should ensure that you have registered every action implicated.

Gap Analysis Template is a very important and helpful tool in project management.

Time Estimations

Time estimation another one very important in making these charts. The main point of making these charts to keep an eye on activities overtime. As we all know time management is very crucial in all kinds of projects. Therefore, we cannot compromise on time in project management. Time estimates could be optimal, normal, or pessimistic.

Prototypes

All the prototypes and Forerunners must be precise studies. This is important as it addresses an action upon which an alternative activity hangs. Thus, a decent Gantt chart must have precise predecessors unambiguously and clearly characterized in the chart.

Importance of Gantt Charts

As we all know by now that these project management charts basically keep an eye on time management. Time is an essential and very important part of Gantt Chart Templates.

1. You can not manage to have a decent Chart without including time estimation in tasks of your project
2. This is extremely straightforward. All you have to do is put all the important dates in the chart according to the start and finish date.
3. Then you are good to go. A little effort in time management can lead to big benefits in your projects.

You can also benefit fro this article (Project Plan Template Google Sheets)

Why use a Gantt

A Gantt Chart is basically a pictorial description of assignments in accordance with time. This is extremely beneficial when it comes to designing projects. This also is equally helpful and applicable to the projects of just about any size and density.

Now the main question was why we should use these charts. So answer that here are some of the benefits enlisted below which comes with these charts. With a Gantt Chart we can see and review:

1. Project start and finish dates
2. All task allocated to the members and their responsibilities
3. Estimated completion time of the project
4. Connections between the different tasks
5. The project’s development and performance

Consequently, a Gantt Chart Template can be beneficial for all the ongoing projects.

You might also want to see Project Management KPI Template xls

Tools for creating project Gantt charts

The first choice for making a Gantt chart in Excel. It is marvelous for establishing simple Gantt charts. But when it comes to bigger or lengthy projects the Excel will not work. In this case, you must find another tool to do it. So, for complicated and big projects or multiple categories of project, you must consider using a proper well-managed project management software.

Here are a few of the trendy ones:

MS Project: This is very easy to use and user friendly. It also comes with a bunch of great elements. It also is helpful in focusing on habits between deliverables and responsibilities.

Smartsheet: This is another widespread project management software. It has details, a calendar view, and a method to establish Gantt charts for huge and complicated projects.

Wrike: Here is another work management software, it is similar in function to MS Project and Smartsheet.

There are much more available in the market, some are free and some need payment.

Examples

Construction G Chart Template

Construction projects mostly face time management problems. The main issue in them is meeting the deadlines. But if we use a G chart in construction projects, we can see remarkable results. All you need to do is enter your tasks and start and completion date.

School Assignment Gantt Chart

/visionapp-network-level-authentication.html. Gantt charts also beneficial in personal projects like assignments and personal projects. This can aid in managing your personal tasks lie tests, assignments, and exams. these are really beneficial for students in managing their studies.

This article provides you with the best Gantt chart template to use for all your project needs. Learn how to use a Gantt chart template in Excel versions 2000 and up, and how to customize the template for your project.

How would you like to create your Gantt Chart?

How to Create a Gantt Chart in Excel Using a Template

This preformatted Gantt chart template in Excel provides a simple, straightforward way to add your own project information, dates, and notes into the table, all of which will automatically appear in the Gantt chart.

To use the Gantt chart template in Excel, simply click on the download button above, and either watch the video tutorial or follow the below steps to create a unique Gantt chart for your project.

List Tasks in Your Gantt Chart Excel Template

Your tasks will make up the foundation of the Gantt chart. Break up your project into bite-sized chunks or phases, these will be your project tasks, and prioritize the tasks in the order they need to be completed.

1. Download and open our Gantt Chart Excel Template for Excel 2007, 2010, or 2013.
   
2. Add the list of tasks to the table, under the Task Name column.
   
3. If you need to delete a row, right-click on the cell in the row you’d like to remove. Click Delete and then select Entire Row.

Add Start and Finish Dates to Your Project Timeline

1. Enter the date in numerical values for the month and day of each project tasks (e.g., January 16 would be entered as 1/16).

2. To change the date format, right-click on the cell with the date and select Format Cells. In the popup window, select Date, and choose the date type that suits your needs.

3. In the Start column of the table, enter the date that your task will begin.

4. In the End column of the table, enter the date that your task will be completed.

5. Continue to list all start and end dates for each task of your project.

This step enables you to visualize each task’s duration, how tasks overlap, and when the project is slated to finish.

Note: As you add your dates to this table, the Gantt chart will add white space to the beginning of the chart, showing dates much earlier than the ones in your table. You can fix this in step 5 under “Customize Your Gantt Chart Excel Template.”

Calculate Duration for Each Task

Based on your start and end dates, Excel will automatically calculate the duration for you with a formula.

Customize Your Gantt Chart Excel Template

After following the previous steps, your Gantt chart should now reflect the information you added to your project. You can now customize the Gantt chart to fit your project’s needs and make your timeline look exactly how you want it to. Here are some customization options:

Add a Title to Your Gantt Chart

1. Click on the current title,'Gantt Chart Template for Excel'. A box should appear around the text.
   
2. Click again, inside the box, and your cursor will appear.
   
3. Delete the current title by highlighting the text and pressing Delete on your keyboard.
   
4. Enter your new Gantt chart title.

Change the Title Text and Color

1. Click on the title. A box should appear around the text.
2. Right click and select Font.
3. In the popup window, you have the option to change the font, font style, font size, and font color.
4. After making all changes to the title, select OK, and your changes will be made to the title.

Change the Colors of the Task Bars in Your Gantt Chart

1. Double click on the task bar whose color you would like to change. Make sure the individual task bar is the only one selected, not all of the task bars.

2. Right click on the task bar and select Format Data Point.

3. In the popup window, select Fill.

4. Choose the new task bar color in the dropdown menu, and adjust the transparency of the bar, if desired.

5. Repeat these steps for the other task bars you wish to change.

By changing the colors of the task bars in your Gantt chart, you can visually organize your tasks and get a better at-a-glance view of the project and its component tasks. Additionally, you can easily divide tasks by resource, person assigned, team involved, etc.

1. Click on the first task bar and select Format Data Point.

2. In the popup window, choose Options.

3. Adjust the percentage in the box labeled Gap Width. The lower you set the percentage, the thicker the task bars will appear.

4. Repeat these steps for the other tasks bars you wish to change.

Adjust the Dates Displayed

Gantt Chart Excel Template Multiple Projects

1. Click on a date at the top of your Gantt chart. A box should appear around all the dates.

2. Right click on the box and select Format Axis.

3. In the popup window, select Scale.

4. Adjust the number in the box labeled Minimum. You will have to input numbers incrementally to adjust the spacing of the bars and get the chart to look the way you would like to.

Online Gantt Chart Maker

Challenges with Creating a Gantt Chart in Excel

Creating a Gantt chart with Excel can help in project planning, but there are some challenges you may face as you work to develop a visual representation of your project. These challenges include the following:

• Requires Manual Adjustments: The chart doesn’t automatically resize, making it more time consuming to manually adjust the settings for each project.

• Unable to Label Individual Days: This can make the chart difficult to read, as many dates and longer periods of time are covered on the chart.

• No Automated Updates to Chart Values: The values do not automatically adjust when they are updated or changed.

• Lack of Version Control: It’s hard to know whether or not you are working with the most up-to-date version of the chart because the document is static and does not reflect changes in real time.

• Inability to Collaborate in Real Time: There is no easy way to collaborate and share the Gantt chart among team members and stakeholders, making real-time visibility and decision making challenging.

For detailed insight on what to look for when choosing the a Gantt chart software, visit Quick and Easy Gantt Chart Software, Tools, and Apps. And, if you’re looking for addition Gantt chart Excel templates for a variety of use cases, visit Gantt Chart Excel Templates.

Make a Gantt Chart in Minutes With a Template in Smartsheet

Smartsheet offers a pre-formatted Gantt chart template, which makes it even easier to visualize your project and prioritize tasks. Automatically calculate duration, adjust task dates with drag-and-drop task bars, and update and share information with key stakeholders to increase visibility and improve project efficiency. Follow the steps below to create the most effective Gantt chart for your project.

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List Your Task Information

1. Add your tasks within the Task Name column.

2. Establish hierarchies among your tasks to show how project subtasks roll up into larger project tasks by indenting rows. (For more information on hierarchies, click here).

3. To delete a row, right click on the cell in the row you would like to delete and select Delete Row.

4. On the left side of each row, you can find ways to add more context to your project by attaching files or leaving comments directly on the row.

Provide Start and End Dates

1. Select a cell in either the Start Date or End Date column.

2. Click on the calendar icon and choose a date. You can also manually enter a date in the cell.

Add % Complete and Assigned To Information

1. In the % Complete column, enter the percentage of work complete for that task. Enter a whole number and Smartsheet will auto-fill the percentage sign.

2. In the Assigned To column, choose a name from the dropdown menu, or manually enter a new name into the cell.

The % Complete and Assigned To columns provide more context around your tasks, outside of the start and end dates of each. The thin grey bars inside the task bars of your Gantt chart represent the percentage of work complete for that task, which can help you determine if your project is on track. Additionally, you can assign specific tasks to a team member or stakeholder to increase overall accountability and ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities throughout the project.

Customize Your Gantt Chart Template in Smartsheet

Not only are Gantt charts easy to build in Smartsheet, but they are just as easy to customize for your unique project needs. With just a couple of clicks, you can customize the appearance of your project timeline.

Change the Colors of the Task Bars

1. Right click on a task bar and select Color Settings.

2. A color palette will appear. Click the color you want.

3. To apply the same color to multiple task bars, select the task bars while holding down the Shift button on your keyboard. Then, release the Shift button, right click on any of the selected bars, and click Color Settings.

4. Proceed to change the color.

Import an Excel File Directly into Smartsheet

Smartsheet easily integrates Excel data directly into a template, making it easy to import any project information stored in Excel directly into Smartsheet.

1. In the upper left-hand corner of the Smartsheet interface, select the three-lined icon to open Left Panel Navigation.

2. Click on the + icon and select Import.

3. In the window on the right-hand side of the page, select Microsoft Excel.

1. In the popup window, select the Excel file you wish to import from your computer, and click Continue.

2. An Import Settings form appears. Here, select the row in the form that contains your column headers (which is usually the first row of the sheet) and click Import.

3. The imported file will appear as a new sheet within Smartsheet.

4. Click on the sheet name to open it and begin editing.

Turn Your Imported Excel Data Into a Gantt Chart

1. Within the top toolbar, click the Grid View dropdown caret, and select Gantt Chart from the dropdown menu.

2. A Gantt chart will automatically be created on the right side of your sheet.

3. Edit the Gantt chart as you see fit for your project.

Related Project Management Methodologies

In addition to Gantt charts, there are several other ways to manage and track a project effectively to ensure it lands on time, on budget, and within the scope of the project. Visit our Agile Methodology, Scrum Methodology, and Kanban Methodology pages to learn more about how you can manage your project by following these related methodologies.

If you're still looking for more information on Gantt charts, like who uses them, the key features, and the benefits of leveraging one in your project, visit our Guide to Gantt Charts article.

Improve Project Visibility with Real-Time Gantt Charts in Smartsheet

Projects of all sizes, from simple to complex, require a visual representation of your project schedule and the relationship between each task, which is where a Gantt chart can help. To realize all the benefits of a Gantt chart, you need a collaborative tool that helps you manage your projects in one cohesive place and empowers both project managers and non-project managers alike to plan, track, automate, and report their projects in real time.

Smartsheet is an enterprise work execution platform that is fundamentally changing the way businesses and teams work. Over 77,000 brands and millions of information workers trust Smartsheet to help them accelerate business execution and address the volume and velocity of today's collaborative work.

Use Smartsheet to visualize your projects with interactive Gantt charts that allow you to customize the quantity and duration of your tasks, highlight key tasks with conditional formatting, and turn on critical path to view all tasks that impact your completion date. Share your Gantt chart with team members and stakeholders to improve project visibility and task accountability, ensuring all projects are delivered on time and that no task is missed.

Try Smartsheet to discover why professionals around the world use it to more efficiently track, manage, and report on projects.