A Gantt chart is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to visualize a project timeline. Whether you’re managing a school project, construction plan, marketing campaign, or software sprint, Excel lets you build a professional Gantt chart—without buying expensive tools.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a Gantt chart in Excel step by step, including versions with dates, progress bars, dependencies, conditional formatting, and even how to do it on Mac.
What Is a Gantt Chart in Excel?
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that shows:
- Tasks on the vertical axis
- Time (dates or days) on the horizontal axis
- Duration and progress of each task
Excel doesn’t include a built-in Gantt chart template—but you can easily create one using bar charts or conditional formatting.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel Step by Step (Basic Method)
Step 1: Create Your Task Table
Enter your data like this:
| Task Name | Start Date | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | 01-Jan-2026 | 5 |
| Design | 06-Jan-2026 | 7 |
| Development | 13-Jan-2026 | 14 |
Step 2: Insert a Stacked Bar Chart
- Select Start Date and Duration
- Click Insert → Bar Chart → Stacked Bar
- Excel will create a basic stacked bar chart
Step 3: Hide the Start Date Bars
- Click the Start Date bars
- Right-click → Format Data Series
- Set Fill → No Fill
🎯 You now have a clean Gantt chart layout.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel with Start and End Date
Instead of duration, calculate it automatically:
= End Date – Start Date
This makes your chart dynamic—if dates change, the chart updates instantly.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel with Dates (Timeline View)
- Format the horizontal axis
- Set Minimum to your earliest start date
- Set Major unit to 1 (daily) or 7 (weekly)
- Apply date formatting
This is ideal for project management timelines.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel Using Conditional Formatting
This method avoids charts entirely.
Steps:
- List tasks in Column A
- Add start and end dates
- Create date headers across Row 1
- Select the grid area
- Go to Home → Conditional Formatting → New Rule
- Use this formula:
=AND($B2<=D$1,$C2>=D$1)
- Choose a fill color
✅ Perfect for printable schedules and dashboards.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel with Progress Bar
Add a Progress (%) column:
| Task | Start | Duration | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Jan 6 | 7 | 60% |
Then:
- Add a second stacked bar
- Format progress bars with a darker color
- Overlay them on the main duration bar
This visually shows task completion.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel with Dependencies
Excel doesn’t support dependencies natively, but you can:
- Use formulas to calculate start dates based on previous tasks
- Apply arrows manually using Insert → Shapes
- Color-code dependent tasks
For advanced dependency tracking, Excel still works well for small to medium projects.
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel for Project Management
Excel Gantt charts are ideal for:
- Freelancers
- Students
- Small teams
- Budget-friendly planning
💲 No paid software required—just Microsoft Excel (Windows or Mac).
How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel on Mac
The steps on macOS are nearly identical:
- Use Insert → Bar Chart
- Format axes via Chart Design
- Conditional formatting works the same
Excel for Mac fully supports Gantt charts.
Common Gantt Chart Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using merged cells
❌ Forgetting to fix axis dates
❌ Hard-coding durations
❌ Overloading with too many colors
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Short FAQs (Optimized for AI Overviews)
Can Excel create a Gantt chart?
Yes, using stacked bar charts or conditional formatting.
Is Excel good for project management?
Yes, especially for small and medium-sized projects.
Does Excel have a Gantt chart template?
No default template, but it’s easy to build manually.
Can I make a Gantt chart on Excel Mac?
Yes, Excel for Mac fully supports Gantt charts.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make a Gantt chart in Excel gives you a powerful project-planning tool without spending money on premium software. From simple timelines to progress-tracked project plans, Excel handles it all—efficiently and professionally.
Once you master it, managing deadlines becomes much easier. 🚀