Gantt Chart Template (Free Excel)
A free Excel Gantt chart. Type your tasks, start dates and durations and the timeline bars draw themselves, with progress shading and a marker for today.
Download the free Excel template (.xlsx)
Free. No email or sign-up needed. One Excel file, 2 sheets.
What is inside the Gantt chart template
It shows 60 days at a glance and works for project plans, launches, events and personal projects. The bars come from conditional formatting, so there is nothing to draw.
| Sheet | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gantt | Task list with owner, start date, days, calculated end date and percent done, next to a 60 day timeline. Light blue is the planned span, dark blue is the finished share, and a red line marks today. |
| Read me | Short instructions. |
Colour key: yellow cells are for your own numbers and text. Green cells calculate automatically, so leave them alone. Sample data is included so you can see how it works, and you can delete it.
How to use the Gantt chart template
- Set the Project start date in the yellow cell at the top.
- Type each task with an owner, start date and number of days.
- Enter the percent done for each task as you go.
- Change the project start date to move the 60 day window.
Gantt chart tips
Keep tasks short enough to finish in a week or two. Put dependent tasks in order so the bars step down the page. For projects longer than 60 days, copy the file for the next phase or move the start date.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Gantt chart?
A bar chart that shows tasks along a timeline, so you can see start dates, durations and overlaps.
How does the Excel Gantt chart draw the bars?
Conditional formatting colors the day cells between each task start and end date.
How many tasks can I add?
20 rows are ready to use. You can copy a row and extend the formulas for more.
Can I change the number of days shown?
The template shows 60 days from the project start. Change the start date to shift the window.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes, the formulas and conditional formatting carry over when you open the file in Google Sheets.
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