Wondering how to make a Gantt chart in Google Sheets?
A Gantt chart is a detailed visualization of your project’s progress.
At first, looking at it may seem like you’re looking down a rabbit hole of information, full of dizzying details.
But don’t be intimidated.
You can easily navigate (and create) your own Gantt chart wonderland in Google Sheets!
And no, you don’t need to be a magical rabbit for this task! Just follow our lead.
In this article, you’ll uncover what a Gantt chart is, how to create a Gantt chart in Google Sheets, and its limitations. We’ll also recommend a far superior Google Sheets alternative for all your charting needs!
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is A Gantt Chart?
A Gantt chart contains information about completed and remaining work in a project in the form of a bar chart.
It’s a pretty comprehensive chart where you plot every single event, outcome, delivery, and stakeholder in a project.
Project managers use Gantt charts to:
- Map overall project timeline
- Estimate the project completion date
- Assign project tasks to relevant people
- Track project progress
- Share project progress with stakeholders
- And more
While Gantt charts started off as sophisticated tools for highly trained project managers, any project team member can look at a modern Gantt chart and understand where the project is headed.
Try out Google Sheets!
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow To Make A Gantt Chart In Google Sheets
To create a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets you can either use the Excel Timeline feature or create a Stacked Bar Chart.
To create a timeline in Excel you only need 3 simple steps:
- Insert > Timeline
- Select a range of data, including at least date columns
- Click Settings to customize columns and settings
If creating your Gantt chart manually is more your speed, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a basic Gantt chart in Google Sheets.
1. Insert basic data
Create a new Google Sheet document.
Then, add basic project data over the:
- Task name
- Tasks’ start date
- End date
The table should look like this:
Now, this is only a reference table.
Creating the Gantt chart involves calculating task durations, which we’ll do in the next step.
2. Calculate task durations
Copy-paste the same table a few rows below the original table.
Now, rename the ‘End date’ column as ‘Task duration’ and delete the data in that column. The rest remains the same.
In the first cell of the ‘Start date’ column, copy-paste this formula: =INT(B2)-INT($B$2)
Note: Here, B2 stands for the cell number of the first date in the original ‘Start date’ column. Feel free to change these values if your table positioning is different.
Once you copy-paste this formula, the sheet converts the date to an integer for the number of days in the date range. In our example, it becomes day 0.
Pro Tip: If you get 12/30 rather than 0, ensure that you are in Automatic format, not Date format. Change this by selecting ‘Format’ > ‘Number’ > ‘Automatic’ for all cells in the task duration table.
Now copy-paste the same formula into each cell, all the way down to the last task in the same column. This will give an absolute integer value to the start date of each task in the project cycle.
Next, we’ll calculate the task duration.
To do that, copy-paste this formula in the first cell of the ‘Task duration’ column: =(INT(C2)-INT($B$2))-(INT(B2)-INT($B$2))
Similar to what you did in the earlier step, copy-paste it down to the last task in the same column. The resulting table will show you how long each task takes in a number of days.
Note: This does not account for any non working day.
3. Generate a stacked bar chart
Select all the cells in the second table, go to Insert in the top drop down menu, and select Chart.
Google Sheets automatically generates a stacked bar graph. But you can change the chart type whenever you want.
Reposition it and edit the chart name.
4. Format the chart
Select the ‘Start date’ portion of the chart. It’s usually the light-themed bars on the chart.
In our example chart, the blue portions represent the start date.
Once you select a bar, go to the color menu in the chart editor window and select ‘None.’
Pro Tip: An updated version of Google Sheets no longer has ‘None‘ as an option, so if this is the case for you, select ‘White’ with ‘Opacity’ set at 0% to essentially remove any fill.
This completes the classic Gantt chart look!
You can now edit the original data table and see the changes reflect in your Gantt chart.
The best part about a Gantt chart?
You just need a single glance to identify any overlapping tasks.
Take a look:
5. Customize the Google Sheet Gantt chart
In the chart editor pane, there are additional customizations that you can feel free to explore. We’ve highlighted the top 3 most practical ones:
Update the chart area
You can customize the following:
- Background color
- Border color
- Font – this will change the font for the entire chart
- Change the bars to 3D
Update axis titles
You can add a chart subtitle and edit the names of the Horizontal and Vertical axis.
Hide the legend
You are also able to move and format the legend. Since a Gantt chart doesn’t typically require a legend, you can also hide it.
6. Adding dependencies to your Gantt chart
Complex projects will require dependencies, meaning tasks are dependent on one another’s initiation or completion.
First, read about the 4 types of logical dependencies in our blog to brush up on your understanding of these logical types. We can use Google sheet formulas to ensure that key tasks are linked to dependent tasks when remapping due dates or start dates.
Finish to start
To create a finish-to-start dependency, determine which task must complete before another can start. In our example, under the Task Name column, we’ve determined that Prototyping phase 1 must complete before Design phase 2 can start.
- Prototyping phase 1’s ‘End Date‘ is scheduled in C5
- Design phase 2’s ‘Start Date‘ is scheduled in B7
In B7 (the ‘Start Date’ of Design phase 2), type this formula: =max(C5)+1
Now Design phase 2 will depend on Prototyping phase 1’s completion!
Start to finish
When a task requires another one’s initiation in order to end, we need a start-to-finish dependency. For example, we might need Design phase 1 to start before finishing Submitting the project charter as it may be good to include design mockups in the project charter.
- Design phase 1’s ‘Start Date‘ is scheduled in B4
- Submitting the project charter’s ‘End Date‘ is scheduled in C2
Let’s say that it takes 4 days for the design team to have some design drafts ready, so in C2, input this formula: =min(B4)+4
Finish to finish
Sometimes a task has to finish in order for another to finish. For example, in our example, Testing phase 1 must finish before Prototyping phase 1 can finish the next day afterwards. This is because prototyping is a key task that encompasses testing.
- Testing phase 1’s ‘End Date‘ is scheduled in C6
- Prototyping phase 1’s ‘End Date‘ is scheduled in C5
In C5 (the ‘End Date’ of Prototyping phase 1), type this formula: =min(C6)+1
Note: Since Prototyping phase 1 needs one extra day to complete after Testing phase 1 finishes, we need +1 in the formula.
Start to start
Lastly, a task that requires the initiation of another before it can start should use the start-to-start dependency. For example, we can’t start Submitting the project plan unless Submitting the project charter has started, since the charter is the underlying document for the whole project. However, we will probably need a bit of time (7 days) before we can start scoping the project plan.
- Submitting the project charter’s ‘Start Date‘ is scheduled in B2
- Submitting the project plan’s ‘Start Date‘ is scheduled in B3
In B3 (the ‘Start Date’ of Submitting the project plan), type this formula: =max(B2)+7
With these dependencies created, you now have a dynamic Gantt chart in Google Sheets to easily remap dates based on real-time data.
Summarize this article for me please3 Google Sheets Gantt Chart Templates
You can instantly assemble a hassle free Gantt chart in Google Sheets with these templates.
1. Simple Google Sheet Gantt chart template
Don’t know what you need from your Google Sheet Gantt chart yet?
Start with this beginner Gantt chart template that fits every project in every industry.
2. Event planning Gantt chart Google Sheet template
Let’s be honest, event planning can be very hectic.
Let this intuitive Gantt chart template share the burden and make your event a success!
Bonus: We have more event planning Gantt chart templates for you.
3. Construction Google Sheets Gantt chart template
If you have a construction team, build your project, brick-by-brick, with this construction Gantt chart template.
We hope these templates cover all your Gantt chart needs.
But we know they won’t.
And that’s because of the glaring flaws in Google Sheets Gantt charts.
Summarize this article for me please3 Drawbacks Of a Google Sheet Gantt Chart
Google Sheets is free, flexible, and very difficult to hate!
It’s certainly better than using Excel to make Gantt Charts, any day.
However, it isn’t a Gantt chart tool. Creating Gantt Charts on Google Sheets comes with the drawbacks below:
- No project task management
- Limited integrations
- Limited mobile function
- Limited project management features beyond Gantt Charts
- Limited collaboration functions
More Related Resources:
- How to Make a Calendar on Google Sheets
- How to Make a Schedule on Google Sheets
- How to Make a Dashboard on Google Sheets
- How to Make a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets
- How to Make a Kanban Board in Google Sheets
- How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint
- How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel
- How to Make a Google Sheets Org Chart
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Best Google Sheets Alternative for Gantt Charts
Take a look at how ClickUp’s Gantt chart will optimize your workflows:
Gantt chart view
ClickUp is the only Gantt chart software you’ll ever need.
You’ll never have to leave your online workspace to create elaborate Gantt charts.
Here’s how you can a Gantt Chart in ClickUp
- Select the + sign in any List, Folder, or Space
- Select Gantt
- Rename it
- You may choose to make it a Personal
- Pin the view for quick access
Discover the progress percentage of your project by hovering over the progress bar.
In the chart’s sidebar, you can see what data ClickUp uses to generate the Gantt chart and even make adjustments to it.
If you think that’s convenient, check out how easy it is to manage task Dependencies and create an automated Gantt chart.
- Schedule them by drawing lines between tasks
- Reschedule a dependent task with drag and drop actions
- Delete them by clicking on the dependencies line
And while you’re making that easy lemonade, don’t forget your critical path!
It’s the minimum number of tasks you need to finish to meet your project deadlines.
Calculate your project’s critical path with these steps:
- Open the Gantt view
- Click on the Path Calculations icon
- Hover on Critical Path
- Hover on Show Slack Time
Finally, customize the Gantt chart with color schemes that showcase different Priority levels. Right-click on any Task on the chart and turn it into a bright, diamond-shaped Milestone.
You can then either share this chart as a PDF or share it directly from your Workspace.
ClickUp’s Simple Gantt Chart Template
ClickUp’s Simple Gantt template will instantly pull tasks from your List into a simple chart using ClickUp’s Gantt view. With this template, you will also find three task statuses that will help you understand your chart through color-coding! Just by looking at your chart you will see if a task is open, in progress, or complete based on the color of each bar.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow Gantt Charts Help Teams Succeed
ClickUp Gantt Charts are used by all sorts of teams from software development to marketing. Gantt Charts in ClickUp can help your team:
1. Visualize complex tasks and dependencies: With Gantt Charts, you can easily see which task depend on one another, so that you can adjust your workflow accordingly.
2. Manage project timelines more accurately: You can quickly adjust start and finish dates for any task or timeline in the chart to ensure accuracy throughout the project.
3. Customize the Gantt Chart to your needs: Easily adjust zoom levels and labels, add milestones or notes, and even color-code for better visualization of tasks.
4. Create comprehensive reports: Create real-time reports on how much time was spent on a task, by who, and when it was done.
5. Monitor progress and stay on track: Take a snapshot of the Gantt Chart at any point in time to gain insight into your team’s project management process and be sure that everything is going according to plan.
Summarize this article for me pleaseStart Building Gantt Charts in ClickUp
Google Sheets is a handy tool, but it’s hardly the right vehicle to handle Gantt charts.
Sure, you can create one after a few complex steps.
But even then, you’re pretty limited when it comes to managing projects.
Instead, why not opt for ClickUp, the world’s best project management tool?
Create, assign, manage your tasks, and plot them onto a Gantt chart, all in one place!
Get ClickUp for free today and jump towards success!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
