Review criteria
- +Auto-drawn timeline bars from start and end dates
- +Per-task owner and progress columns
- +Today-marker and overdue highlighting
- +Works in both Google Sheets and Excel without add-ons
Project Gantt Chart in Project Management
The Project Gantt Chart is a copy-ready spreadsheet that turns a task list into a visual timeline. Enter each task's start and end dates, owner, and progress, and it auto-draws timeline bars with a today-marker and overdue highlighting, in both Google Sheets and Excel — no project software or per-seat fees.
Last updated: August 2026
Excel workbook · opens in Google Sheets · 3 tabs · no sign-up
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What’s inside “Project Gantt Chart”
Tabs: How to use · Timeline · SettingsFormat: Excel (.xlsx) · opens in Google SheetsSetup: About 15 minutesColumns: 15
Columns (grey = calculated for you)
- Task
- Owner
- Start
- End
- % complete
- Days
- State
- Wk 1
- Wk 2
- Wk 3
- Wk 4
- Wk 5
- Wk 6
- Wk 7
- Wk 8
- Open the Timeline tab and replace the sample rows with your own — one row per entry. Formulas fill in automatically for new rows.
- Enter each task's owner, start and end dates, and % complete. The Wk columns draw a bar for every week the task spans.
- Set Week 1 starts on the Settings tab to move the timeline. End turns red when a task runs late and isn't 100% complete.
- Using Google Sheets? Upload the file to Google Drive, then open it with Google Sheets (or File → Import in an open sheet). Formulas, dropdowns and highlights carry over.
The file opens locally on your device — nothing is uploaded, and you own the copy outright.
Project Gantt Chart
About this template
It's the sweet spot between a flat checklist and a heavyweight PM tool: everyone sees the same live plan in one shared sheet they already know how to use. For a single project with a clear timeline, it's all you need; when dependencies and automation start to bite, our reviews show which PM tool to graduate to.
Review evidence
What to verify before choosing Project Gantt Chart
Use the review criteria below to decide whether this template fits your workflow.
Often worth considering when
- +Small teams planning a project without paid PM software
- +Solo planners who want a visual timeline, not just a list
Pause before choosing when
- -Complex task dependencies and resource leveling
- -Large multi-team programs
About Project Management
Why people consider this option
- +Plan a project timeline without paying per-seat for PM software
- +Everyone sees the same live status in one shared sheet
- +Conditional formatting turns a flat list into a visual timeline
What to review before acting
- -No automation or dependencies like a dedicated PM tool
- -Large multi-team programs outgrow a single sheet
Trust FAQ
Questions people ask before copying a template
Does the Gantt chart draw itself from my dates?
Yes. Enter each task's start and end dates and the timeline bars render automatically with conditional formatting, including a today-marker and overdue highlighting — no manual drawing.
Can my whole team use it at once?
Yes. In Google Sheets the team edits the same live plan in real time; in Excel you can share it via OneDrive. Everyone reads a spreadsheet, so there's no onboarding.
When should I switch to project management software?
When you need task dependencies, automation, or to manage many projects at once. Until then, the free spreadsheet Gantt does the job without per-seat costs.