Let’s look at the two ways on how to make a Gantt chart in Excel.
1. How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel
There are three main steps to creating a Gantt chart in Excel from scratch: create a project table, produce a stacked bar chart, and adjust that bar chart into a Gantt chart.
Let’s go through the details of each step one by one.
Step 1: Create a Project Table
Your project table will have simple descriptions of your tasks, estimate duration in days needed to complete, and the start date of each task.
The default date format is often DD-MM-YY. To view your dates more easily:
Select the date range. Right-click on your selection. Select Format Cells. In the Number tab, choose the Date category. Select the preferred date format from the list on the right. Click OK.
Once you have created your project table, let’s move on to produce a stacked bar chart.
Step 2: Produce a Stacked Bar Chart
Select your table range. Don’t include the table title in your selection. Also, make sure there is no heading for the task list. In the above example, the table range is A2:C9. Next, go to the Insert tab. In the Charts group, select the Column icon. From the dropdown, choose Stacked Bar, located under the category named 2-D Bar.
As you can see, the resulting chart doesn’t look like a Gantt chart yet. There are some changes you need to make.
Step 3: Changing a Stacked Bar Chart to a Gantt Chart
Right now, the list of tasks is displayed in reverse order. Here’s how to correct this:
Double-click the tasks on the chart to call out the Format Axis function. Select Axis Options (icon shows three columns). Here, there’s a sub-section with the same name, Axis Options. Scroll down and tick the Categories in reverse order box. Your tasks are now in chronological order.
Next, let’s format the dates correctly. Currently, the x-axis shows another starting date. You want this date to be the same as the start date of your first task. Here’s how:
Double-click the dates on your chart to call out Format Axis. In Axis Options, go to the section called Bounds. Type the first task start date in Minimum and the last task end date in Maximum. Excel will automatically convert your dates into the necessary figures to adjust the chart. Under the Units sub-section, set the Major to 7. This way, your chart only displays a weekly date.
Thirdly, you need to remove the connected bars on your chart. These are the steps:
Double-click the blue bars to call out the Format Data Series function. Select Fill & Line (icon shows a paint bucket). Under the Fill section, select No Fill. The blue bars now disappear.
By now, your Gantt chart is pretty much completed. The last thing you need to do is enter the Chart Title for your Gantt chart. Also, select the legend at the bottom and press Delete on your keyboard.
That’s all! This is how to make a Gantt chart in Excel.
2. How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel Using Templates
If you have a larger project with lots of tasks, an alternative is to use Gantt chart templates. These templates already have the necessary formulas in place. The designs also help you split your tasks into distinct categories, so you have a better view of the big picture.
Here’s how you can get free Gantt chart templates for Excel:
Go to the File tab. Select New. Type “Gantt chart” in the search bar and enter.
Excel has different Gantt chart templates for your needs. Once you pick a template, Excel will then open a new document with the complete template in the worksheet. Then, fill in the relevant cells with your tasks and their corresponding dates. Just be careful not to tinker with the formulas as you key in your data.
Make a Gantt Chart in Excel to Track Your Projects
You can manage your projects by creating a Gantt chart in Excel. If it’s a small, one-off event, you can make a simple Gantt chart by using the first method discussed above.
If it’s a more complicated, elaborate project, you’ll find that Gantt chart templates are more suitable. Besides Excel, there are other software you can use to make a Gantt chart as well.
