Varioustools and utility appshave improved work oncontemporary Android tablets. With the right combination of tools, you’re able to do most of your work without relying on a traditional laptop or PC. One of these tools is the Gantt chart. In a nutshell, it tracks and displays your progress across multiple projects.
It is possible to get it as an app for your device or create one yourself. However, many high-end tools and apps are expensive and aren’t necessary for your personal purposes. We show you how to create a Gantt chart in Google Sheets without investing a penny. But first, let’s find out what a Gantt chart is.
What’s a Gantt chart?
A Gantt chart is a project management and productivity chart that helps you simultaneously track the progress of one or more projects. Using a stacked graph chart, the Gantt chart displays the start and end dates for projects in an easy-to-read form. Its versatility lets corporations and individuals track tasks across various disciplines.
The Gantt chart gets its name from Henry Gantt, a project management consultant, who popularized this chart in the early 20th century. But, Gantt’s popularized version wasn’t the first. A Polish engineer named Karol Adamiecki invented it in the 1890s.
While the Gantt chart has evolved over the centuries, its core concepts remain the same. We show you how to make one.
How to create a Gantt chart in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets is a tool for creating spreadsheets and collaborating, and it’s free. It might lack some of the advanced features found in dedicated apps and tools. But other than that, it’s perfectly fine for creating a Gantt chart. Here’s how to do it.
Create columns in Google Sheets
Start by creating columns in Google Sheets. These columns represent various data in your final Gantt chart.
Enter data into each column
Now that you have your columns, it’s time to fill them with data.
In our example, dates are formatted as MM/DD/YYYY. ensure to enter the dates in the format that Google Sheets understands, as this is important in correctly calculating theStart on DayandDuration.
Enter formulas to calculate the Start on Day and Duration
When you have your data, you’ll enter specific formulas to calculate cells forStart on DayandDuration.
All that remains now is to add a stacked bar graph to your chart.
Add a Stacked bar graph to your Google Sheets chart
Now that you have all the data and calculations ready, you’ll need a graph to visualize that information.
To make the stacked bar graph look like a Gantt chart.
After following this guide, your finished Gantt chart should look similar to the one in the screenshot above.
Track your progress with a Gantt chart
Creating a Gantt chart in Google Sheets takes time and patience. It’s not as straightforward as with a dedicated template, but it’s doable. All it takes now is to download the app or open Google Sheets inyour favorite web browser, and you’ll have your own Gantt chart in no time.
