Gantt Chart in Excel: Learn With a Simple Practical Example

What Is a Gantt chart?

According to the Economics time, A Gantt chart is a useful graphical tool which shows activities or tasks performed against time. It is also referred to as a visual representation of a project where the project activities are split/broken down and each of them presented on a chart - making it easy for anyone to interpret and understand.

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How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel?

Excel does not have an option of a Gantt chart, but we can create a Gantt chart by customizing Microsoft Excel’s stacked bar chart type. Below is the Gantt chart data that we will be using for our example for creating a Gantt chart in Excel.

Create Stacked Bar Chart

We aim to create a Gantt chart in Excel that will allow us to track the number of days it took to complete a task.

To create a stacked bar chart, execute the following steps:

• Select the range of start dates including the column header.

• Go to the Insert tab and click the Column symbol.
• Click Stacked bar.

You will now see a stacked bar (as presented below) added to the worksheet.

Add Duration Data to the Chart

Now, the next step in creating a Gantt chart in excel, is to add one more series to our chart.

• Right-click anywhere within the chart area and choose Select Data from the context menu. The Select Data Source window will open.

• Click the Add button to add more data you want to plot in the Gantt chart in the excel sheet. The edit series window will open.

• In the Series values, select the duration data excluding the header.

•  Click OK twice. Now the duration data is added to your chart.

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Add Task Description to the Gantt Chart in Excel

Having done the above action, you will be required to replace the days on the chart, on the left side of it with the list of tasks.

• Right-click anywhere in the chart area and click Select Data. The select data source window will appear.
• Make sure the Start Date is selected on the left pane and click the Edit button on the right pane.

• An Axis Labels window will appear. Select the task data in the same way you selected the duration data.

• Click OK twice. 

Transform the Bar Chart Into an Excel Gantt Chart in Excel

Now we will transform our stacked chart into a Gantt chart in Excel by adding proper formatting to it. In order to convert this stacked chart into a Gantt chart in Excel, you will be required to remove the blue bars, to make sure that just the orange parts that represent the tasks are visible.  

• Click on any blue bar on the chart. Right-click and choose Format Data Series.
• The Format Data Series window will show up. Go to Fill & Line icon > Fill and select No fill.

• Click on the list of tasks from the chart to select them. The format axis dialog box will appear. Select the Categories in reverse order option. 

You will get a Gantt chart in Excel.

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Adjust the Number of Dates on Your Gantt Chart in Excel

Dates are stored as numbers in Excel. You can check the date in number format by clicking on the date cell and going to the number section to check the corresponding number. 

• Right-click on the date axis and select the Format Axis from the context menu. The format axis window will appear. Change the minimum bounds to 44136.

Your Gantt chart in Excel is ready.

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Conclusion

In this article, you have learned how to create a Gantt chart from a stacked bar chart. Gantt chart is considered to be a very successful and useful method for project management.

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