How to Make a Simple Gantt Chart in Excel in 3 Minutes

Step-by-step

Excel has no Gantt chart type, but a stacked bar chart with one invisible series looks exactly like one. The example plans the stages of building a software application.

1. Set up the project table

List each task on its own row with a Start date and a Duration in working days. The first task, Gather requirements, starts on 8 January and lasts 11 days.

2. Calculate end dates and total days

Work out each end date in working days, skipping weekends, with WORKDAY:

=WORKDAY(B3,C3)

Then add a Days in total column that subtracts the start date from the end date, for example =D3-B3, and fill both down.

3. Insert a stacked bar chart

Hold Ctrl and select three columns: the task names, the start dates and the days in total. Go to Insert > Stacked Bar. It’s not a Gantt chart yet, but it’s close.

4. Hide the start-date bars

Double-click the first (start date) series. In Format Data Series > Fill & Line, choose No fill and No line. The bars still push the visible ones to the right start date, so only the task durations show, floating like a Gantt chart.

5. Start the axis on the first day

Excel stores dates as serial numbers (8 January 2022 is 44569). Double-click the date axis and type the first start date in Minimum and the final end date in Maximum: Excel converts them to serial numbers. Set the major unit to 30 so the gridlines fall roughly once a month.

6. Format the bars

Set the Gap Width to 0%, colour the bars green and add Data Labels (Center) from Add Chart Element.

7. Put the first task at the top

Double-click the task axis and tick Categories in reverse order, so the project reads from top to bottom. Delete the title, the legend and the chart border.