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Gantt charts, named after their creator Henry Gantt, are a specific form of horizontal bar graph used to show project progress over time. A noticeable feature of a Gantt chart is that its horizontal bar is always a time scale, such as months, weeks or years. Charts may be made in any number of programs, but when you’re putting together a PowerPoint presentation, you don’t need to leave the software to create Gantt charts-you can make one within your slideshow creation interface.
Open PowerPoint. The program’s default is to automatically start a new slideshow presentation with a single, blank slide. To add a Gantt chart to an existing presentation, click the “File” tab, click “Open” and browse to the PowerPoint. Double-click the file name to open it and navigate to the slide where the chart should be added.
Click the “Insert” tab on the ribbon on the top of the screen. Click the “Chart” button to bring up the “Insert Chart” screen.
Click “Bar” and click one of the bar chart designs such as flat 2-D bars, 3-D cones and rounded rectangles. Click the “OK” button and PowerPoint opens a small window of the Microsoft Excel program with four rows and three columns of default data.
Click the cell in the first row, second column (B1). Type over the default column name, Series 1, with your own, such as Monday. Press the “Tab” key on the keyboard to move into the next cell, C1, and add the next Gantt scheduling time period, such as Tuesday. Continue tabbing and changing column names until you have all required.
Click into the second cell of the first column (A2). Type the measured item, such as Calories. Press the “Enter” key on the keyboard to drop into the next cell (A3). Type the next measured item, such as Exercise. Repeat until all categories are added.
Click into one of the placeholder numbered cells and type your actual data. For example, if Monday’s calories were 2,000, type “2,000” into cell B2. Continue until all your data is added.
Click off the Excel spreadsheet and back onto the PowerPoint slide and notice your Gantt chart has been automatically updated on the slide.
Change bar chart colors by double-clicking one of the bars, which brings up the “Format Data Point” window. Click “Fill,” click “Solid Fill,” pull down the “Color” menu and click a colored box. Click “Close” and both the bar and its associated legend box change color.
Click the “File” menu and select “Save As.” If you created a new slide, give the presentation a name and save it to your computer. If you added this chart into a presentation, give the presentation a new file name or version number; don’t save it on top of the original.
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You don’t need Microsoft Project to create a Gantt chart for your project. If you’re just starting out with project managementThe 5 Best Project Management Tips for BeginnersThe 5 Best Project Management Tips for BeginnersIf you are taking on a project manager role for the first time, here are just five project management tips to help you get started.Read More and do not have access to such software, you might just use Microsoft ExcelThe Best Productivity Templates for Microsoft Excel to Get Things DoneThe Best Productivity Templates for Microsoft Excel to Get Things DoneIf you want to use Microsoft Excel for planning, task management, and expense tracking, you best start with templates. We have compiled several templates that will keep your life, business, and office on track.Read More or PowerPoint for tracking. If that sounds like you, then a Gantt chart template may be just what you need.
We’ve compiled a selection of 10 Gantt chart templates for Excel and PowerPoint that can help you get your project off to a great start.
1. Detailed Gantt Project Planner (Microsoft Office)
Microsoft Office has a terrific template that you can download from the website or access by searching templates from within ExcelHow to Quickly Create a Custom Excel Template to Save TimeHow to Quickly Create a Custom Excel Template to Save TimeExcel templates are universally useful — they can help you keep your finances in order, manage a project, and organize your life. We show you how to create your own custom template.Read More (File > New > Search for online templates).
When you change the activity values, you will see the bar chart to the right automatically update. You can also adjust the period you want to highlight by entering a number or choosing one from the drop-down box at the top.
This template offers a nice color contrast for easy reading and is great for detailed project management.
2. Multiple Option Gantt Chart (TeamGantt)
If you are not quite sure which entries you want to manually enter to adjust your Gantt chart, check out this option from TeamGantt. The workbook has three tabs including a complete manual chart, manual end date chart, and manual duration chart. This gives you the flexibility of choosing which to use for your specific project.
The key at the bottom of each Gantt chart tab shows you which cells are calculated and which are manual to make it even simpler to use.
3. WBS Gantt Chart (Vertex42)
If you have a work breakdown structureHow to Organize Any Project with a Work Breakdown StructureHow to Organize Any Project with a Work Breakdown StructureA journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Every complex project consists of multiple components. The Work Breakdown Structure can help you identify all the steps and put them into sequence.Read More for your project, this template from Vertex42 might be the one you want. You can pop in your WBS number per task for an easy transfer from a written to visual project management format.
The template has a slider at the top to view various periods quickly and a small help section at the bottom for assistance with data entry and settings.
Free Gantt Chart In Powerpoint
If you like this template, you can take a look at what the Pro Version offers by clicking that tab in the workbook.
4. Extensive Gantt Chart (Template Lab)
Similar to the template from Vertex42, this one from Template Lab works well with an existing WBS. It has spots for numbering, tasks and four levels of subtasks as well as a resource assignment field. You can include your duration, actual duration, completion percentage, projected and actual end dates, and then values for assigned, complete, and remaining.
The bar chart is very easy to read with a good contrast of colors. Fields update automatically with your entries making this template a terrific overall Gantt chart for detailed projects. Template Lab offers a variety of other Gantt chart options for you to check out when you visit their page, but this one is called Gantt Chart Template 08.
5. Subtask PowerPoint Gantt Chart (Template.net)
If you want to use PowerPoint for your Gantt chart, the selection can be limited. But, this template from Template.net gives you a great option. You can include timeline sections, subtasks, dates, and milestones by week.
The appearance of the template makes it super easy to read while at the same time being useful. Also, take a peek at the second slide that gives you details on the Office Timeline PowerPoint add-in for automatic chart updates.
6. Timeline PowerPoint Gantt Chart (Office Timeline)
Office Timeline offers another nice template for PowerPoint. Different than the one from Template.net, this one does not call out tasks and subtasks. It allows you to concentrate on and highlight duration with a timeline from start to finish. Although, you can still pop in the task names with a color-coded bar as well.
If you want to stick with a PowerPoint Gantt chart template, but begin with a cleaner, uncluttered appearance, this is likely the template you want.
7. Baseline and Budget Gantt Chart (GanttExcel.com)
When the project you are managing requires you to also include baseline and budget costs, GanttExcel.com’s template is for you. Fill in your tasks and subtasks, add your durations, and see the template update your timeline and dates automatically.
This template uses macros to enable your entries5 Resources for Excel Macros to Automate Your Spreadsheets5 Resources for Excel Macros to Automate Your SpreadsheetsSearching for Excel macros? Here are five sites that have got what you're looking for.Read More. Just keep in mind that you must enable those after downloading the template. Then, double-click on cells to enter a complete amount of data including the costs per task, resources, and budget numbers.
8. Hourly Gantt Chart (Office Timeline)
Do you need to bring your project down to an hourly management plan? Also for PowerPoint, this template from Office Timeline lets you do just that. A complete day displays on the timeline and you can adjust the tasks and accompanying times down to the minute for each.
Gantt Chart In Ppt 2016
While this might be too much micro-management for some, it is a necessity for others. It depends on your project and preference. So, if an hourly Gantt chart suits your needs and PowerPoint fits your skills, this is an excellent template.
Gantt Chart In Excel9. Basic Gantt Chart (FormXLS.com)
For a very basic Gantt chart with manual entries, you can get a quick glance at your timelineHow to Make Your Project a Success with Excel TemplatesHow to Make Your Project a Success with Excel TemplatesExcel templates are an essential tool in the portfolio of an effective project manager. Even in the smallest project, templates can make your life easier and save significant time. We have compiled a selection.Read More with this template from FormXLS.com.
You just enter your tasks and then adjust the timeline bars manually. Each period is separated into quarter and then month. This provides a fast way to see completions per task.
More detailed Gantt chart templates provide dates and durations. However, if you just want a simple view of when items will are planned and when they are complete, this is a good Excel template to try.
10. Presentation PowerPoint Gantt Chart (FormXLS.com)
Do you want to present your Gantt chart using PowerPoint in a clean and clear way? This one from FormXLS.com works well for displaying basic projects. All entries are manual including the bar chart, so just remember that before you begin.
For uncomplicated presentations of your project planThe Best Free PowerPoint Templates for Your Project PresentationThe Best Free PowerPoint Templates for Your Project PresentationHow you present your project is at least as important as what you present because what your audience will remember is how you made them feel. Wow them with professional PowerPoint templates for project management.Read More using PowerPoint, this template provides a decent and attractive option.
What Gantt Chart Tips Can You Share?
We showed you a variety of Gantt chart templates to choose from. Now we’re curious to learn how you use your template.
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If you are an avid Gantt chart user, you likely have helpful tips to assist others14 Tips to Save Time in Microsoft Excel14 Tips to Save Time in Microsoft ExcelIf Microsoft Excel has consumed a lot of your time in the past, let us show you how to get some of it back. These simple tips are easy to remember.Read More who are not as familiar with the project management tool. If you’re looking for more options, take a look at these nifty tools for to create project timelines.
If you have tricks, suggestions, or general usage tips that you would like to share, please leave us a comment below!
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