Create a Basic Gantt Chart Using Microsoft Excel

Sep 11, 2026

Step-by-step instructions for creating and formatting a basic Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel. The guide explains what a Gantt chart represents, then walks through preparing four key columns (activity/task, start date, end date, and duration), entering example data, inserting a stacked bar chart, and adding series values for start dates and durations. It then maps activities to the chart’s vertical axis and applies formatting choices for readability, including reversing activity order and removing fills.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

What is a Gantt chart?

Open Microsoft Excel

Add data to the Excel worksheet

Select and insert a chart

Add Start Date data to the Bar Chart

Add Duration data to the Bar Chart

Add Activity data to the Vertical Axis

Format the chart

Test the chart functionality

Edge Hill University Create a Basic Gantt Chart Using Microsoft Excel Contents What is a Gantt chart? ............................................................................................................................ 2 Open Microsoft Excel .............................................................................................................................. 2 Add data to the Excel worksheet ............................................................................................................ 3 Select and insert a chart ......................................................................................................................... 4 Add Start Date data to the Bar Chart...................................................................................................... 5 Add Duration data to the Bar Chart ........................................................................................................ 7 Add Activity data to the Vertical Axis ..................................................................................................... 8 Format the chart ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Test the chart functionality................................................................................................................... 11 What is a Gantt chart? A chart in which a series of horizontal lines show the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the amount of time allocated for those periods. Open Microsoft Excel We will create a basic Gantt chart example that could be used to display and manage the various activities or tasks involved in designing a website. Open a blank Microsoft Excel worksheet. Add data to the Excel worksheet To create a basic Gantt chart four columns will be used: A] The individual activity or task carried out as part of the process B] Start Date (the date the individual activity or task is started) B] End Date (the date the individual activity or task should be completed) C] Duration (the number of days the activity or task takes to complete) Click the top of Column B and change the number format to Short Date. Repeat for Column C. Enter the data as shown in the example image below. Select and insert a chart Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon then click on the Insert Chart drop-down icon. Select the Stacked Bar option. The blank chart has been added to the worksheet. Resize and reposition the chart by dragging the corner handles and the outside edge. Add Start Date data to the Bar Chart Right-click on the chart then click the Select Data option. The Select Data Source dialog box is displayed. Click on the Add button under Legend Entries (Series) The Edit Series dialog box is displayed. Click in the Series name field then select the Start Date cell. Now click in the Series values field, clear any value shown then select the full range of Start Dates. Click on the OK button. Add Duration data to the Bar Chart Click on the Add button under Legend Entries (Series) -the Edit Series dialog box is displayed again. Click in the Series name field then select the Duration cell. Click in the Series values field, clear any value shown then select the full range of Duration cells. Click on the OK button. Add Activity data to the Vertical Axis Click on the Edit button under Horizontal (Category) Axis Labels. Click in the Axis label range field then select the full range of Activity cells. Click on the OK button. Click on the OK button to close the Select Data Source dialog box. Format the chart Right-click on the blue section of one of the bars then select the Format Data Series option. The Format Data Series options appear at the right of the screen. Select No Fill from the options. To reverse the order of the Activity items ri

FAQs

What is a Gantt chart used for in project work?

A Gantt chart uses horizontal lines to show how much work is done or production completed over specific time periods, in relation to the time allocated for those periods.

Which four columns are used to build the basic Gantt chart dataset in Excel?

The guide uses: the activity/task name, Start Date, End Date, and Duration (number of days needed to complete the activity).

How do you add Start Date and Duration to the stacked bar chart?

Use the chart’s Select Data option, then add legend entries (series) for Start Date and Duration by selecting the Start Date cells as series values and the Duration cells as series values.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn Holloway