How to Create a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets: Free Template

Collaboration is the key to successfully completing large projects, and every project manager knows that working together is the fuel that drives projects forward. If you want to create a Gantt chart that your entire team can work on, you’ve come to the right place! We offer three different options, depending on the time you can dedicate and the Gantt chart features you’re looking for.

How to Create a Gantt Chart Using Google Sheets

This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through creating a basic Gantt chart in Google Sheets.

1. Add the basic task details to your Google Sheets spreadsheet.
2. Calculate the start date for each task.
3. Apply a simple formula to automate task durations.
4. Select the data you want to include in your Gantt chart.
5. Insert a stacked bar chart.
6. Add the project title to your chart.
7. Edit the fill color of the start task bars.
8. Remove the legend from your Gantt chart.
9. Customize the axis titles of your chart.
10. Set weekly intervals for your Gantt chart in Google Sheets.
11. Change the colors of the bars for a custom look.

1. Add the basic task details to your Google Sheets spreadsheet

Create columns for task name, start date, end date, start task, and duration. Fill the first three columns with the basic details of your tasks and project milestones.

Format these columns as follows:

• Task name: Text format
• Start date and end date: Date format
• Start task and duration: Number format

2. Calculate the start date for each task

Use an automated formula to determine the interval between the start date of the first task and each subsequent task in your project. In our Gantt chart example, we entered the following formula in the start task cell for our first task: =INT(B2)-INT($B$2).

Tip: If you started in different cells of your spreadsheet, adjust each formula accordingly.

Google Sheets will offer to automatically fill in the rest of the start task column. Click on the green checkmark icon to apply this formula to the remaining cells in column D.

3. Apply a simple formula to automate task durations

Next, add a formula that subtracts the start date from the end date in the duration column. This way, your Google Sheets spreadsheet will automatically calculate the duration of each task in your Gantt chart. In our example, we entered =C2-B2 in the duration cell for our first task.

Tip: If you started in different cells of your spreadsheet, adjust each formula accordingly.

Google Sheets will offer to automatically fill in the rest of the duration column. Click on the green checkmark icon to apply this formula to the remaining cells in column E.

4. Select the data you want to include in your Gantt chart in Google Sheets

Select all the filled cells in columns A, D, and E to choose the data you will use to create your Gantt chart in Google Sheets.

5. Insert a stacked bar chart into your Google Sheets spreadsheet

Click on Insert > Chart, then choose Stacked Bar Chart under the Bar charts section to add a chart to your Google Sheets spreadsheet.

6. Update the project title on your chart

Double-click on the chart title text box to select the entire title, then enter the name of your project to replace the placeholder text.

Tip: You can also update the chart title in the Chart Editor settings under Chart and Axis Titles.

7. Edit the fill color of the start task bars

Format the stacked bar chart in your Google Sheets spreadsheet to resemble a Gantt chart by removing the fill color from the start part of each bar. Click on the “Start Task” part of any bar in your chart to select the entire data series. In our example, this data series is represented by blue bars.

Next, click on the Fill Color menu in the series settings, and choose either white or No fill to remove the blue bars that precede the start dates of your tasks.

8. Remove the legend from your Gantt chart in Google Sheets

Open the Legend menu in the Customize tab of the Chart Editor settings, then choose None from the Position menu.

9. Customize the axis titles of your chart

Next, adjust the labels of each axis of your Gantt chart in Google Sheets to make it clear and easy to read. Open the Chart and Axis Titles menu in the Customize tab of the Chart Editor settings. Select Horizontal Axis Title, then enter “Day of the month” in the title text field.

Next, select Vertical Axis Title, then remove “Task Name” to leave the title text field empty.

10. Set weekly intervals for your Gantt chart in Google Sheets

Currently, our Gantt chart displays the timeline in 20-day intervals. Let’s switch to 7-day intervals to visualize the project tasks on a weekly basis. Open the Gridlines and Tick Marks menu in the Customize tab of the Chart Editor settings, then enter 7 in the Major Unit field.

11. Change the colors of the task bars for a custom look

Finally, give your Gantt chart in Google Sheets a custom look by applying your preferred colors to the task bars. Double-click on a single task bar. Don’t double-click—click once to highlight all bars of that color, then click again to highlight a single bar. Click on the Fill Color menu in the settings, and choose the desired color from the palette options.

Repeat this process to change the colors of the rest of the task bars in your new Gantt chart in Google Sheets.

Tip: Color milestones in yellow or gold to highlight them compared to other tasks.

Congratulations! You have created your own Gantt chart in Google Sheets. Feel free to further customize it to meet the needs of your project. Creating a Gantt chart in Google Sheets from scratch is probably more complicated than you thought, especially if you have to do it every time you establish a timeline for a project. That’s why we have created an automated template to help you save time and effort.

Download a Free Gantt Chart Template in Google Sheets

Download our dynamic Gantt chart template in Google Sheets to get started. We’ve done all the hard work for you. Once you’ve downloaded the TeamGantt automated Gantt chart template, give yourself a pat on the back and add your personal touch.

Tip: To edit the template, you need to first save a copy in your own Google Drive. Simply click on File > Make a copy, and you’re good to go!

How to Customize Your Gantt Chart Template in Google Sheets

Follow these simple steps to customize our free Gantt chart template in Google Sheets to your project’s needs.

• Choose the Gantt chart style in Google Sheets that suits you.
• Add project titles to your Gantt chart.
• Customize project tasks.
• Create a simple timeline for your project.
• Track project progress with automated progress bars.
• Update the chart colors using conditional formatting.

Choose the Gantt chart style in Google Sheets that suits you

The TeamGantt Google Sheets Gantt chart template offers three choices to create your own project timeline. You’ll find each Gantt chart option in the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

• Gantt Chart with % Complete: This Gantt chart is fully loaded, with automated progress bars that visually track each project to completion.
• Basic Gantt Chart: Consider it an intermediate version. It offers many of the same features as the deluxe edition, without the automated progress bars.
• Manual Chart: If you prefer driving a manual car over an automatic, this Gantt chart is for you. You have great freedom to optimize your Gantt chart!

Add project titles to your Gantt chart

Assign a specific name to each Gantt chart to minimize confusion, especially if your team manages multiple projects. Here’s how to customize your Gantt chart in Google Sheets:

1. Double-click in cell A3.
2. Select the existing chart title.
3. Replace it with a descriptive title of your choice.

Customize project tasks

We’ve preloaded this Google Sheets Gantt chart template with 4 sample projects that you can customize according to your company’s needs. Simply replace the placeholder data with your own project tasks to give it a personal touch!

1. Enter a basic description for each project task in the “Task Name” column.
2. Assign each task by entering the name of the responsible person in the “Team Member” column.

Create a simple timeline for your project

Next, you’ll want to establish a timeline for each task in your project.

• Start by entering the start date of the task in the “Start Date” column.
• Enter the end date of the task in the “End Date” column.
• The TeamGantt Gantt chart template in Google Sheets will automatically calculate the number of elapsed days and the number of remaining days based on the start date, end date, and task completion percentage. (Tip: Automated cells are highlighted.)
• Scroll to the right of the spreadsheet to see your task list as a Gantt chart. There you go!

Track project progress with automated progress bars

A project plan works best when it acts as a living document that everyone can use to record real-time project updates.

1. Use the “Percent Complete” column to track the progress of each task. Enter 0% for tasks that haven’t started yet and 100% for completed tasks. The closer a task is to completion, the darker the color becomes. This way, you can easily see the progress of a project at a glance.
2. The TeamGantt Gantt chart template in Google Sheets will automatically calculate the number of elapsed days and the number of remaining days based on the start date, end date, and task completion percentage.
3. Scroll to the right of the spreadsheet to see your project as a Gantt chart. The progress bars will gradually fill with a darker color as each task moves toward the finish line.

Update the colors of the chart using conditional formatting

We’ve applied our favorite shade of blue to the progress indicators in this Gantt chart template, but feel free to change the palette to match your own brand colors.

To change the color scale in the “Percent Complete” column:

1. Select a cell in the “Percent Complete” column.
2. Go to Format > Conditional formatting.
3. Click on Color scale in the Conditional format rules box on the right side of your spreadsheet.
4. Click on the Maxpoint paint bucket to assign a different color to tasks that are 100% complete. Google Sheets will automatically assign graduated colors to tasks with completion percentages less than 100%.
5. Click Done.
6. The new color scale should apply to all cells in the “Percent Complete” column.

To change the bar colors:

1. Click on the Gantt chart to select it.
2. Next, click on the three vertical dots in the top right of the Gantt chart and select Edit chart.
3. In the Chart Editor, go to Customize > Series.
4. Click on Apply to choose the part of the progress bar you want to update. Bar 2 represents the dark part of the progress bar that represents the completion percentage, and Bar 3 represents the light part of the progress bar that represents the remaining percentage.
5. Use the paint bucket tool to apply a new color to each part of the progress bar.
6. Close the Chart Editor when you’re finished.

Share your Gantt chart in Google Sheets with others

Sharing is caring, so why keep your Gantt chart in Google Sheets to yourself? Follow these easy steps to share the joy of your project.

Give team members access to your project plan

Do you want to allow team members or stakeholders to access your beautiful new project plan? Here’s how to do it.

1. Click on the blue Share button in the top right corner of your spreadsheet.
2. Enter the names and/or email addresses of the people you want to share the Gantt chart with.
3. Click on the dropdown menu icon with the pencil icon to assign the appropriate level of access to each person or group.
4. Add a brief note for the recipient(s).
5. Click Send.
6. Each person you shared the document with will receive an email with a link to let them know they now have access.

Import the data into Google Slides

Preparing a big presentation? Show off your project progress by importing your Gantt chart into Google Slides.

To import your Gantt chart into Google Slides:

1. In Google Slides, go to Insert > Chart > From Sheets.
2. Choose the Google Sheets Gantt chart template, then click Select.
3. Click on the chart(s) you want to import into your Google Slides document, and specify if you want the chart to be linked to the spreadsheet.
4. Click Import.

Create a Free Gantt Chart in Minutes with TeamGantt

Google Sheets is a great option for sharing simple projects that won’t give you any trouble. But we all know that change is constant, especially when it comes to people and projects. Fortunately, TeamGantt is here to help! Try our free Gantt chart software and manage project curveballs in real-time. Here are some of the features you’ll have at your fingertips.

Easy Drag and Drop

Need to rearrange your entire plan? No problem! Edit start and end dates and adjust deadlines, all in a matter of seconds. Create dependencies to ensure tasks stay in the right order with every edit.

Easy Collaboration

TeamGantt is packed with tools to keep your team and stakeholders in the loop. Simplify conversations, store documents, and share key updates so no one is left in the dark about a project.

Workload Forecasting

Stay on track without burning through your budget—or your team’s energy. With TeamGantt’s workload forecasting features, you can check team member availability before assigning tasks so everyone has the right balance of work.

Additional Resources

• Project Management Template Library: Use these simple templates in any industry to plan and manage projects, identify and mitigate risks, and effectively communicate at every stage of the project.
• Excel Gantt Chart Template: Save time in organizing your project plan with our ready-to-use template! Simply enter your tasks and dates, and you’ll get a professional-quality Gantt chart.

Come to the rescue by signing up for a free TeamGantt account

To be a superhero, you don’t need to wear a cape. You just need to provide your team with the tools they need to succeed. With TeamGantt’s collaborative project management software, you can power up your project without exhausting yourself or spending hours on details. Sign up today for your free account!