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A Gantt chart is a bar chart that shows the schedule of a project. Thankfully, Microsoft PowerPoint provides several Gantt chart templates for you to choose from. Here's how to select a template and customize your Gantt chart.

To get started, open the Microsoft PowerPoint application and select the "New" tab in the left-hand pane.

In the template search box, type "Gantt Chart" and press the "Enter" button.

Five Gantt chart templates will appear in the search results. Select the Gantt chart that most closely aligns with your project timeline by clicking it. We'll use the "Blue Two Year Gantt Chart" in this example.

A window will appear, showing you a preview of the selected template. Click "Create."

Once selected, you can begin customizing your Gantt chart which appears on the first slide of the PowerPoint presentation.

The first thing you'll want to do is edit the content placeholders to reflect the content of your project. That is, edit the years and tasks. To do so, just click the text box and type your content.

The icons in the top-left and bottom-right corners of the Gantt chart represent the (1) kickoff and (2) project release dates. You can edit the dates by clicking the dates and entering your project's kickoff and release dates, respectively.

Once you've edited the content, you can then adjust the length (which represents the duration of the task) of the taskbars. To do so, click the taskbar to select it, and click and drag to adjust the length appropriately. You can also adjust the start/stop markers by clicking and dragging them to the respective position, as well.

If you want to change the colors to match your corporate design, select the item you'd like to change the color of by clicking it, and then click "Shape Fill" in the "Shape Styles" group of the "Format" tab. From the drop-down menu that appears, select the color you'd like to use.

There are also other style customization options, such as changing the color of the shape's outline by selecting a color under "Shape Outline" or even adding effects to the shape, such as giving it a shadow, by choosing an effect under "Shape Effect."

That's all there is to creating a Gantt chart in PowerPoint. How you design the chart is up to you, but the general rule of thumb is to follow the corporate style guide and keep the chart as distraction-free as possible by only adding what's necessary.

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint

How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

By Diana Ramos | January 14, 2021

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Learn how to set up a Gantt chart using Microsoft PowerPoint. We also provide detailed steps for making a chart from scratch, using a template, or using data from an Excel spreadsheet. Plus, learn how to customize the chart.

Included in this article, you’ll find detailed steps on how to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint using both the table function and the chart function , as well as how to create a Gantt chart using a template in PowerPoint . You’ll also find instructions on how to import a Gantt chart from Excel into PowerPoint .

How to Make a Gantt Chart Using the Table Function in PowerPoint

The table function in PowerPoint allows you to build and display data and information with columns and cells. Use this method to create a Gantt chart that lets you easily list and adjust project tasks, start dates, and end dates.

To make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint using the table function, follow these helpful steps. These steps are compatible with all versions of PowerPoint.

Prepare Your PowerPoint Presentation

• Open a new PowerPoint presentation.

Add a Table to a PowerPoint Presentation

• Click the Layout dropdown menu on the Home tab on the top navigation bar, and click Blank to remove the Title and Subtitle text areas.

• Add a table either by selecting the number of rows and columns from the grid or by clicking Insert Table and inputting the number of rows and columns.

Adjust the Table’s Column Widths

• Highlight the first column.
• Click the Layout tab on the top navigation bar.

• Highlight the remaining columns in the table.

Adjust the Color of Gridlines in the Table

• Highlight the table. 
• Click the Table Design tab on the top navigation bar.

Add Labels to Table Columns

Merge Top Row Cells in the Table

• Click the Layout tab on the navigation bar. 
• In the first row, highlight rows 2-5 (the cells above week 1-4).

• In the newly merged cell, type Month 1 . 
• Repeat these steps for each set of the next four cells. Type Month 2 and Month 3 in the respective merged cells.

Color Code the Top Row in the Table

• Highlight the merged cell labeled Month 1 .

Add Project Tasks to the Table

• Type your first project in the third cell of the first column.

Insert Task Bars in the Table

• Click the Insert tab on the top navigation bar.
• Click the second cell in the second row.

Customize the Task Bar Colors and Outlines in the Table

• Click one of the new task bars.

Add Dates to Task Bars to the Table

• Double-click on a task bar. A text box appears within the shape.
• Type the start and end date of the task within the shape.

Add Milestones to the Gantt Chart

• Type Flag in the search bar on the right panel.  

• Click on the icon and drag any of the four corners to reduce its size.

How to Make a Gantt Chart Using the Chart Function in PowerPoint

PowerPoint’s chart function allows you to add a specific chart or graph directly to a presentation. With this method, you can use a stacked bar chart to build a Gantt chart. 

To make a Gantt chart in Microsoft PowerPoint, follow the step-by-step instructions below. These steps are compatible with all versions of PowerPoint.

Prepare a PowerPoint Presentation

Build a Stacked Bar Graphic in PowerPoint

• Click the Insert tab, and click Chart .

Add Project Schedule Data to a PowerPoint Chart

• Add project data to the corresponding Excel chart.
• Series 1: Start Date
• Series 2: End Date

• Once you insert the formula into the cell, click the small box in the bottom-right corner of cell D2 and drag the fill handle downward across column D until you reach the last task in the column.

Turn a Stacked Bar Chart into a Gantt Chart

• Click a blue bar on the chart to select and highlight the whole series. The format menu will appear on the right panel. 

Interested in creating a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel instead of PowerPoint? Visit this article for step-by-step instructions on how to build a Gantt chart in Excel .

How to Customize a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

You might want to customize the Gantt chart you made with the chart feature. This way, you can more easily see vital tasks, track a project’s progress, or add branding colors. Follow the steps below to customize your Gantt chart.

Reverse the Order of Task Bars on a Gantt Chart

• To reverse the order of your task bars, double-click on the task axis (the y axis).

Customize the Task Bar Colors of the Chart

• Click a task bar in the Gantt chart. Click the paint bucket icon, and click Fill . 

Add Customized Effects to Task Bars on the Gantt Chart

• To add effects such as shadows, glows, and soft edges to task bars, click the Format tab on the navigation bar.

Reformat Task Bars on the Gantt Chart

• Double-click a task bar in the chart.
• Click the Bar Chart tab in the Format Date Series menu.

Remove the Legend from the Gantt Chart

Change Project Task Start and End Dates

As your project progresses, you might need to adjust start and end dates for some tasks to keep it running smoothly. Follow these steps below.

• Reopen the Excel data table that your Gantt chart is referencing in PowerPoint.
• Right-click on a bar in the chart, and click Edit Data in Excel . 
• Manually reenter new start and end dates for any project tasks. These changes automatically appear on the Gantt chart in PowerPoint. Note: You’ll need to re-add the End Dates column in Excel, then remove it again once you make the updates.

How to Create a Gantt Chart Using a Template in PowerPoint

Instead of manually creating a Gantt chart using either the table or chart function, you can start with a pre-built PowerPoint template . 

A template helps you save time organizing project tasks, listing start and end dates, and formatting a chart so it resembles a typical Gantt chart. 

• Open the Gantt chart template in PowerPoint. 
• Go to the second slide of the presentation, which houses the Gantt chart. 

• Move task bars along the chart to show when each task should start and end.

Peruse our collection of Gantt chart templates to find downloadable versions in other formats.

Gantt Chart Template in PowerPoint

Use this helpful template to create a Gantt chart for your next project with Microsoft PowerPoint. This template offers an easy way to outline your project tasks, chart each task’s duration, assign tasks to team members, and track key milestones.

Download Gantt Chart Template 

PowerPoint | Smartsheet

How to Import a Gantt Chart in Excel to PowerPoint

If you already created a Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel and want to feature it in a PowerPoint presentation, you can easily import it. Follow these steps.

• Open the Gantt chart in Microsoft Excel. 
• Highlight the entire chart and right-click. By doing so, you will also highlight the respective data table.

• Navigate back to the PowerPoint presentation. 

Looking for step-by-step instructions on how to create a Gantt chart in Excel? Visit this article for instructions, screenshots, and a helpful template .

How to Import a Gantt Chart from Google Sheets to PowerPoint

If you used Google Sheets to create a Gantt chart and want to import it to a new PowerPoint presentation, follow the steps below.

• Open the Gantt chart you created in Google Sheets.
• Click on the Gantt chart, and click the ellipses in the top-right corner of the chart.

• Navigate back to the PowerPoint presentation and the slide where you want to add the Gantt chart. 

Want easy-to-follow instructions on how to create a Gantt chart in Google Sheets? Visit this article for step-by-step instructions and a downloadable template.

How to Import a Gantt Chart from Mac Numbers to PowerPoint

If you are a Mac user and already created your Gantt chart using Mac Numbers, you can easily import it to PowerPoint by following the steps below.

• Open your Gantt chart in Mac Numbers.

• Navigate back to the PowerPoint presentation, and select the slide where you want to add the Gantt chart. 

Learn how to create a complete Gantt chart in Mac Numbers . This tutorial teaches you how to make a Gantt chart in Pages .

Get the Most Out of Your Gantt Charts with Smartsheet

From simple task management and project planning to complex resource and portfolio management, Smartsheet helps you improve collaboration and increase work velocity -- empowering you to get more done. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed.

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time. Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint (Plus Free Templates)

An essential part of project management is ensuring everyone stays organized and on the same page, with clear knowledge of who does what, when, and all the resources involved. One of the most effective tools for this purpose is the Gantt Chart.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll show you how to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint . You’ll master the art of project planning in no time!

We’ll cover the following topics:

What is a Gantt Chart?

What is a gantt chart used for, can i do a gantt chart on powerpoint.

• How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint: Step-by-step

Option 1: How to Create a Gantt Chart Using a Template in PowerPoint 

Option 2: how to make a gantt chart using the table function in powerpoint .

• Option 3: How to Make a Gantt Chart Using the Chart Function in PowerPoint

How to Import a Gantt Chart in Excel to PowerPoint 

Gantt chart in powerpoint template [free download].

• Expert Advice: Tips and Tricks for Better Gantt Charts

The Gantt Chart is among the most common tools in project management . It is a chart that shows all of the project’s tasks on a timeline, making it easy for everyone involved to see what needs to be done and when.

Visually, the Gantt Chart has two main axes. The vertical axis shows the list of tasks, and the horizontal axis represents the timeline. This way, each task is represented by a bar, with the bar's length indicating when the task starts and finishes. Here's an example:

Each Gantt chart will look different depending on the project and team involved, but there are some components you should always include:

• Dates: Dates are the primary purpose of Gantt Charts since they serve as project schedules. Therefore, consider each task's approximate start and end dates and reflect them in the chart.
• Tasks and taskbars: If you haven't already, break down your project into smaller tasks and arrange them in the order they need to be completed. Then, represent them as taskbars according to their scheduled dates.
• Dependencies: You can make the Gantt Chart as detailed as necessary. To provide a comprehensive view, include lines that indicate task dependencies. This visually illustrates which tasks must be completed before others can begin.
• Milestones: Gantt chart milestones are significant points within your project's timeline, they show which tasks mean substantial progress.
• Vertical line markers: You can add vertical line markers to indicate your project's current status and the remaining work. This way, everyone involved knows where the project is at. 

Gantt charts are widely used in project management because they excel at presenting data , allowing you to visualize key aspects clearly and practically. For example, in these charts, you can see:

• The breakdown of a project into smaller tasks
• The dates and duration of each task
• The participants involved in each task
• The way tasks are related to each other
• The project’s progression

You certainly can! Although there are many programs available for this purpose, using PowerPoint is a great choice because it's easy to use, works well with other tools, and lets you customize your charts however you want.

Continue reading to learn how to create them!

How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint: Step-by-step 

Making a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint is quite simple. You can create them in four ways: using templates, the table or chart function, or importing the Chart from Excel . Let's take a look at each one of these ways:

Looking for a fast way to create a Gantt Chart? Easy, use a template! At 24Slides , you can choose from many PowerPoint Gantt Chart templates. And the best part is, you can download them for free!

Check out: Gantt Chart in PowerPoint Template [FREE]

Now, let’s check out the step-by-step of editing a Gantt chart in PowerPoint template:

• Sign up for free on Templates by 24Slides to access and download all templates.
• Choose the Gantt chart template that best suits your needs and download it.
• Incorporate all your content in the placeholders, and add your branding elements.

And that's it! You get a professional yet creative Gantt chart . The best part? It was easy and quick to create! Sounds like something you'd enjoy, right? We've gathered the best Gantt chart templates for you. Check them out!

Creating a Gantt Chart using the table function in PowerPoint is really easy! You only need to follow these steps: 

Go to the Insert Tab, click Table, and select Insert Table . When the Insert Table Window opens, set 13 columns (12 for the months and 1 for the tasks) and 1 row. Then, click Ok to insert the table.

Format the chart according to your preferences: color, border thickness, effects, etc.

Next, select the Chart and drag the button at the bottom of the Chart downward to increase its height to fill the entire slide.  

Then, adjust the width of the first column: Select the first column, go to the Layout tab, and, under Width , increase the value until it appears wide enough for your tasks.

Split the first column into the number of tasks you have. To do this, go to the Layout Tab and select Split Cells . When the Split Cells Window opens, set Number of columns to "1" and Number of rows to match the number of tasks you have. Finally, click Ok .

Now, you can enter your tasks in each row and customize the font.

The following step is to add the months at the top of each column. To achieve this, go to Insert , choose Text Box , and type the name of the month, an abbreviation, or a letter to represent it. Adjust them to align neatly above a column.

To replicate this for the rest, you can press Ctrl+D and copy it, writing the name of the months accordingly. It should look like this:

Now, it's time to add the tasks. To do this, go to Insert, Shapes , and choose a Rectangle . Place a rectangle per task based on its duration. Customize it with your preferred color and border.

You can also incorporate dependencies between tasks. To do this, go to Insert, Shapes , select your preferred shape from Lines , and place them between activities that depend on one another.

Finally, add a vertical rectangle to indicate the project's progress. And that's it! You now have a Gantt chart created from scratch.

Option 3: How to Make a Gantt Chart Using the Chart Function in PowerPoint 

Go to the Insert Tab and click Chart . When the Insert Chart window opens, go to Bar and select Stacked Bar .

A Stacked Bar will now open in your PowerPoint slide with predetermined data. Also, an Excel window will appear , displaying the data behind the chart.

Now, replace the predefined data in the Excel window with your own. Start by entering your task descriptions in Column A . Keep in mind that they will be organized vertically on the chart, so the first task you enter will appear at the bottom, and the last one you enter will be at the top.

Next, change Column B's title to "Start Date," Column C’s to "End Date," and Column D’s to "Duration.”

Before entering the actual dates, you need to make sure that the Excel table is in the correct format. To do this, select columns B and C, right-click, and choose Format Cells from the menu.

When the Format Cells window opens, go to Date and choose 3/14 as the Type. To save these changes, click Ok .

Now, insert the dates for each of your tasks. To calculate their duration, type the formula =$C2-$B2 in cell D2 , or where the duration for the first task appears.

Afterward, use your mouse to go to the lower right corner. When the mouse pointer looks like a cross, click and drag so the formula applies to all tasks' duration.

It won't look like a Gantt chart just yet, but we're getting closer. The next step is to select the chart, go to the Filter , uncheck the End date , and then click Apply .

You'll notice the gray bars appearing; those are your tasks. Now, you need to remove the blue bars. 

To do this, select the blue bars, right-click, and choose No Fill . You'll be left with only the bars for your tasks.

And that's it! Your Gantt chart is ready. You'll see your task descriptions on the y-axis and the dates on the x-axis. The final step is to customize it as you prefer —you can change the bar colors, background, grid, labels, and more.

Importing a Gantt Chart is actually quite simple. Just follow these instructions:

Go to the sheet with your Gantt chart, select it, right-click and choose Copy .

Then, return to your PowerPoint presentation, right-click, and choose Paste. You will see the exact Gantt chart you had in Excel.

Remember, the information in the Chart is not static. You can still make changes even though you created it in Excel and not PowerPoint. Simply select the Chart, right-click, and choose Edit Data.

A small Excel window will appear on top of your Gantt chart, it will have the same information as the chart's source. You can edit anything there and see it immediately reflected on your Gantt chart.

And that's all! The final step is to customize it as you prefer—you can change the bar colors, background, grid, labels, and more directly from PowerPoint.

Are you looking to create a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint? You already know the step-by-step process if you want to create your own, but we are here to help you save time! 

Here are 6 of the best Gantt Chart PowerPoint Templates for your next project. And the best part is, you can download (and customize) them for free! 

#1 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

Check out this Corporate Gantt Chart Template. If you want to use a professional yet creative visual tool, this design could be the perfect fit for your next project.

#2 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

This Gantt Chart template comes with 3 different slides you can choose from. You can use the Simple Gantt Chart Slide, Project Gantt Chart Slide, or a Progress Gantt Chart Slide to create a visual project schedule and monitor the development of the project tasks over time. 

Don’t be misled by their simplicity, remember, you can always customize them as you want!

#3 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

Explore our Real Estate Gantt Chart Template – a powerful and visually appealing tool designed to help you keep track of all your project tasks. This professional yet creatively crafted template is the ideal companion for your next property venture.

#4 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

The Pharmaceutical Gantt Chart template is ideal for pharmaceutical representatives , pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. 

Whether managing, overseeing clinical trials, or coordinating regulatory processes, this template provides a comprehensive framework to visualize, organize, and communicate your project's components.

#5 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

For projects that start and finish within 3 months , you can use this template to describe the most important events within this time period. And that's not all; the horizontal bars are color-coded, and you can add a short description at the bottom center of the slide. 

#6 PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template [FREE]

The yearly Gantt chart is suitable when you need to do a lot of planning for an extended period. The Chart will show a comprehensible schedule of when each task is set to start and end. It even includes a bar chart to reflect your results, everything in one slide!

Want to see more? Check out more Free Gantt Chart PowerPoint Templates :

Expert Advice: Tips and Tricks for Better Gantt Charts 

Now that you've learned how to create Gantt Charts in PowerPoint, let's see how to get the most out of them . Let's explore some insights from expert designers.

Tip #1: Go step-by-step

Create your Gantt chart only when you have a clear vision of tasks, subtasks, and important deadlines, so you don’t need to redo the entire chart if there are significant changes. I recommend you have a solid idea of key deliverables and an estimated timeline before starting to create one.

Tip #2: Clarity is Key

More than focusing on the visual appeal of the Gantt chart, prioritize clarity. Use symbols or colors that intuitively convey the chart elements , making it easier for team members and stakeholders to understand all the information.

To achieve this, keep it simple and use colors consistently. For instance, if you use different colors for tasks, statuses (to do, in progress, done), departments, or teams, always stick to those colors. Alternatively, include a legend explaining the meanings of colors and symbols in your chart. 

Tip # 3: Allow Breathing Space

Considering the abundance of information in a Gantt chart—bars, symbols, visual cues, grids, date lines, indentations for grouping levels— they can be visually overwhelming . 

So, it's advisable to use a white background to keep a balance between all the information and the background, ensuring the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed. Remember that this chart should be a useful tool, not one that creates more confusion!

Tip #4: Consider professional design

While this article is incredibly helpful for crafting a Gantt Chart for smaller or internal projects, when it comes to long-term or critical ones, don't leave it to chance— consider seeking professional design assistance.

At 24Slides , our team of skilled designers is ready to assist you. Simply provide them with the necessary information for your chart, share your design preferences, and any other considerations you may have. Prepare to be amazed by the time you save and the outstanding results they deliver!

And, if you’re not convinced yet…We have an irresistible offer for you: Why not try out our services and have your Gantt Chart slide designed for just $1 ? It's an opportunity to experience the wonders that professional design can make in your presentations. And it gets better: You’ll receive your slide in less than 24 hours!

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If you’ve ever had a project with multiple deadlines, you know having a visual aid for understanding how all tasks will fit together is invaluable.

One project management tool for demonstrating this is called a Gantt chart. In this post, we’ll show you how to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint while pointing out that PowerPoint may not be the best tool for this purpose— other Gantt chart platforms do it much better. 

Regardless of your tool, Gantt charts are an excellent method for visually depicting the status of your project!

Step 1: Choose your Gantt chart template

Step 2: customize your gantt chart template, step 3: add milestones to your gantt chart, step 4: add bars to your gantt chart, step 5: add labels to your gantt chart, step 6: top it off your gantt chart with graphics, how to edit your powerpoint gantt chart, how to import data into powerpoint gantt chart templates.

What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a bar chart showing a project’s progress over time. They can be used for projects of any size and scope, from small tasks to large-scale endeavors. Project managers use Gantt charts to help them plan and track their projects more effectively. They can also help communicate with others involved in the project, such as team members and clients.

Some project managers make PowerPoint Gantt charts. If you’re considering this, read on to find out how to do it!

How to Make a Powerpoint Gantt Chart in 6 Steps

First, you’ll need to have your data filled into Excel. Once you have your Excel data, import it into PowerPoint. Click on the insert tab and choose “Chart” from the drop-down menu. You will then see options for charts.

Select the stacked bar chart as your desired chart type and click OK to confirm.

Next, click Border Color at the bottom left corner of the same window where you just edited colors used within borders around each rectangle shape created earlier; highlight the border color option with the cursor – it’ll turn blue once highlighted – then click “More Options” button beside “Border Style” drop-down list box containing four different types: Dashed Line (default), Dotted Line (default), Double Border (no effect)and None (no border).

To change line weight between individual cells within larger areas like columns or rows with lots of small boxes placed inside intersecting lines forming an overall grid pattern shape, make sure no lines intersecting each other are selected first before choosing another line style such as dashed style instead so lines don’t overlap when trying changing its thickness level via the Properties Bar options. 

Now that you’ve created your chart, here are the steps you need to take to complete it. 

You must decide which Gantt chart template you would like to use. The Gantt chart templates come in numerous varieties: you can choose one that has been designed specifically for a project management application or create your own from scratch. Whichever option you select, the template must have the right amount of detail and information on each bar so that everyone who views the chart understands what is happening.

Once you have chosen your Gantt chart template, customize it if necessary. For example, if tasks or milestones are missing from your project plan, add them into empty cells using PowerPoint’s drawing tools. You could also change the font color for certain elements to make it easier for people to view the slide show on different screens.

The Gantt chart template allows you to access many formatting options, including fonts and colors. You can also use the Smart Guide feature to align items on your Gantt chart quickly. In addition, there are plenty of tools for customizing your template.

The Format tab allows you to change font styles, colors, alignment, and borders for textboxes or shape fills/outlines. The Insert tab has an extensive gallery of elements that can be used in your project including images and shapes like arrows and calendars.

Finally, there’s a built-in textbox tool if you want to add text without using PowerPoint’s default fonts. 

Milestones are a critical component of your Gantt chart, as they allow you to monitor your progress. You can add milestones in two ways:

• By right-clicking on the bar or taskbar, select Insert Task, then choose “Milestone.” This will create a new task with a default name like “Task 2 Milestone” or “Project Milestone,” depending on how you want it named. If you want something different, change this in Project > Settings > General tab and click OK
• To add additional information about the milestone bar, for example, items such as when, where, and why work is occurring, click into it (it will highlight), type over any existing text, and click outside once done editing it—PowerPoint saves automatically, so don’t worry about losing anything

To add bars to your Gantt chart, click on the Bars tab in the Ribbon. You will see two types of bars: Task (or Start) and Duration (or Finish). Click on one of these options, and you will see a drop-down list with all the bar styles available for this type of bar.

This list includes predefined styles and custom ones you can create using PowerPoint’s artistic tools. If you want to change an existing bar’s color, thickness, or style, click inside its shape, and select Format Shape from the contextual menu.

There you can make changes in the Format Shape dialog box that appears on the screen.

The labels on your Gantt chart should be short and descriptive. They should also be in the same font as your text, in the same color, and the same size. This will help ensure that the information is easy to read and understand at a glance.

It’s time to complete your Gantt chart with some graphics. Try using images of people to represent tasks, equipment for resources, supplies for Milestones, and animals for delayed tasks.

This makes it more visually appealing and helps you convey the project better. Remember that above all else, the Gantt chart is a communication tool. You’ll want it to communicate integral aspects of your project in a way that’s easy to understand.

Related Resources:

• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Google Sheets
• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Word
• How to Make a Gantt Chart in Excel

To edit your Gantt chart in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

• Click the “Format” tab and choose “Chart Tools”
• Select the drop-down arrow next to “Chart Layouts,” then click ” Insert Blank Chart”
• Click on the “Format Axis” button (the one with a horizontal line) and choose an axis type from the menu that appears (e.g., linear or logarithmic). Then click on each of your tasks to change their colors so that they match up with those in other worksheets or presentations (i.e., do this if you have multiple versions of the same project)

Now that you understand the steps for building a Gantt chart using PowerPoint, here are a few tips you can use to strengthen your chart.  

Tip 1: Use the Format tab frequently

To change the font, size, color, and line style of your text:

• Go to the Home tab
• Select the Format option in the Layout group on the right side of your screen
• Select a font from this list of options that pop up on your screen
• Choose what to do with your text by selecting any one of these options: Font Style, Font Size, Font Color, and Text Effects (i.e., Bold)
• Click OK when done

While these tips will help with basic usage, Powerpoint still has some limitations compared to other tools. If you need a more powerful Gantt chart solution, try ClickUp. 

Tip 2: Use Smart Guides for faster editing

Smart Guides are available in the View tab and can be turned on or off. They’re very useful for aligning labels with tasks and bars. Keeping your Gantt chart organized helps your audience better understand it, which is where Smart Guides help.

Smart Guides are helpful because as soon as you start dragging that task around with your mouse cursor, it will snap right into place right where it belongs as needed until you change them manually. 

Tip 3: Use an image for your taskbar (optional)

You can add an image to the taskbar that provides additional visual context to your Gantt chart. The image should be relevant to the project and use a contrasting color that stands out against the background so it is always easy to see.

Now that we’ve covered how to build a Gantt chart as well as tips for how to improve it, let’s address one of the most critical components of building a Gantt chart in PowerPoint: importing data. 

Once you have created your Powerpoint Gantt chart, you will need to import data into it. For this, you can use the Paste option. This will allow you to paste the data into the cells of your Gantt chart. You can also copy data from another source directly into your Gantt chart or use an Import function if no other option is available.

Finally, if none of these methods work for what you’re trying to do with your Gantt chart, then try using an Import As Feature instead. 

Option 1: Use the Microsoft Excel Connector for PowerPoint

If you want to pull data into PowerPoint, you can do this in one of two ways: use the Excel connector for PowerPoint, a free add-in for PowerPoint, or export data from Project and import it into PowerPoint. The Excel connector makes it easier to pull data because it allows you to connect directly with Excel—you don’t have to export from Project first. 

Option 2: Copy and paste a Gantt chart

The first option is to copy and paste either a single row or column at a time. This can be done by selecting the rows, columns, or both and selecting Copy from the Home tab on the Ribbon. Next, select your presentation and paste it onto the Ribbon Home tab. You will now have a duplicate set of data in your PowerPoint file.

If you need to do this for multiple rows or columns, it may be easier to use Excel or Word (or even Google Sheets from Google Docs ) as an intermediary step. First, select all desired rows or columns in Excel, then select File > Save As… Enter a name for your new File (you can keep .xlsx) and click Save.

Option 3: Extract columns from your spreadsheet and paste them one at a time

Once you have all of your data in one spreadsheet, you can use the ‘Select Data’ tool to select a single column. You can then copy this column into PowerPoint.

You’ll need to repeat this process for each row in your File—one at a time.

Option 4: Convert an Excel Sheet into images and insert them into a PowerPoint presentation

If your Gantt chart is already created in Excel, then you can use the following steps to convert it into individual images and insert them into PowerPoint.

• Save the Excel sheet as an image file (Microsoft Office > Save As > Browse)
• Select the Insert tab > Picture option from the ribbon bar at the top of the window > From the File button > Browse for the first image file you want to insert in your PowerPoint presentation. Open PowerPoint, create a blank presentation, and add a slide

Customize Your Gantt Charts in ClickUp for Free

If all of this sounds complicated, you’re right. Even if you understand how to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint, it’s not intuitive software to manage the ongoing needs of a project. If you want something more powerful and flexible, a better alternative is ClickUp.

The ClickUp Simple Gantt Chart Template makes it easy to bring all of your tasks, deadlines, and project details into one place—without the need for advanced setup or customization.

Check out the video below to see what a Gantt chart in ClickUp looks like in action!

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PowerPoint Gantt Chart: A Complete How-To Guide

In today’s fast-paced project management environment, visualizing tasks and timelines becomes crucial for success. A PowerPoint Gantt chart offers a clear and effective way to showcase project schedules, helping team members understand project milestones and deadlines at a glance. By integrating a Gantt chart in PPT, you enable a streamlined communication process, fostering a collaborative work environment. The intrinsic value of a powerpoint gantt chart lies in its ability to simplify complex project information into an easy-to-understand visual format, making it an indispensable tool for project managers and teams across various industries.

This article will guide you through the steps on how to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint, from manually crafting one to leveraging automated tools such as Office Timeline. Furthermore, it will explore different PowerPoint Gantt chart templates that can provide a head start in your chart creation process. Additionally, effective tips for creating impactful Gantt charts in PowerPoint will be shared, ensuring your charts are not only visually appealing but also functionally rich in conveying your project’s timeline. By the end of this guide, you will be well-equipped to create, customize, and utilize a Gantt chart for PowerPoint, enhancing your project presentations and management efforts.

How to Manually Create a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

Set up a stacked bar chart.

To begin creating your Gantt chart in PowerPoint, start by setting up a basic graphic as a Stacked Bar chart. This will be the foundational structure of your Gantt chart. Once you complete this initial step, a standard chart along with an Excel table pre-filled with placeholder data will be inserted onto your PowerPoint slide. You can then replace this data with your own project-specific information. • Go to the Insert tab • click on Chart • select Stacked Bar • Click OK

Enter Project Schedule Data

The next step involves entering your project schedule data into the chart. Break down your project into main phases or tasks, which will form the basis of your graphic. Assign a start date, end date, and duration for each task, which is the number of days required to complete each task.

Format for Gantt Chart

After setting up your Stacked Bar chart and entering the data, you need to format your graphic to transform it into a Gantt chart. Achieve this by making the blue sections of the bars transparent, leaving only the grey sections visible. These remaining bars will represent the tasks on your Gantt chart, clearly delineating the timeline of each project phase.

Customize Your Gantt Chart (Optional)

Finally, customize your Gantt chart to make it unique and tailored to your project’s needs. This customization can involve adjusting the color schemes, and text alignment, and adding specific design elements that enhance the readability and aesthetic appeal of your Gantt chart, ensuring it effectively communicates the project timelines and milestones.

Pre-designed PowerPoint Gantt Chart Templates

Using pre-designed Gantt chart templates in PowerPoint offers significant advantages. Primarily, they save time and effort as you are not required to create charts from scratch. Simply download a template and input your project details. These templates are designed to be highly customizable, allowing you to modify colors, and fonts, and add specific design elements like logos or notes, making your chart unique and tailored to your project’s needs.

Moreover, Gantt chart templates enhance project organization and visibility. They help in defining project scope, identifying critical paths, and allocating resources effectively. By providing a clear visual timeline of tasks and milestones, these templates keep the team informed and reduce the need for constant updates and meetings. This not only improves collaboration among team members but also aids in proactive management of the project, ensuring that all tasks are completed on time.

Tips for Creating Effective Gantt Charts in PowerPoint

1. Choosing the Right Template When selecting a PowerPoint Gantt chart template, it’s crucial to choose one that aligns with the specific needs of your project. Templates vary in complexity and design, from simple timelines for straightforward projects to more detailed charts that include dependencies and milestones for more complex initiatives. Utilize the available free templates such as the Simple Gantt Chart or the Project Management Gantt Chart to get a head start.

2. Customizing for Enhanced Visual Appeal Customization is key to making your Gantt chart not only functional but also visually appealing. Consider changing the color, shape, or pattern of task bars to differentiate between types of tasks or milestones. Adding specific project information like task names, start dates, and completion percentages directly on the Gantt bars can also enhance clarity and provide essential details at a glance.

3. Maintaining Clarity and Legibility To maintain clarity and ensure that your Gantt chart is easy to understand, keep the design simple and organized. Avoid clutter by limiting the amount of text and focusing on essential elements such as tasks, durations, and dependencies. Use clear, legible fonts and appropriate bar heights to make the information accessible. Regularly update the chart to reflect current progress, and consider using styles and effects sparingly to maintain legibility.

Throughout this guide, we have explored the intricacies of creating and utilizing a Gantt chart in PowerPoint, highlighting the steps involved. By dissecting the process from choosing the right template to customizing your chart for maximum visual appeal and clarity, we’ve underscored the immense value that well-crafted Gantt charts bring to project management. They not only simplify complex project timelines into digestible visuals but also enhance communication and collaboration within teams, making them indispensable tools in today’s project-driven work environment.

As we conclude, remember that the effectiveness of a Gantt chart in PowerPoint hinges on its ability to clearly convey project timelines and milestones. Utilizing pre-designed templates can significantly ease the creation process, providing a professional look with minimal effort. However, the customizations and attention to detail in presenting the information are what truly elevate your Gantt chart. Whether you’re managing a small team project or overseeing a large-scale enterprise initiative, the insights gained here should empower you to leverage PowerPoint Gantt charts to their fullest potential, driving your projects to successful completion.

FAQ’S

To manually construct a Gantt chart in PowerPoint, start by opening PowerPoint and setting your slide to a Blank layout from the Home tab. Next, navigate to the Insert tab and click on Chart in the Illustrations section. From the All Charts list, select the Bar category and then choose the Stacked Bar type for your Gantt chart.

To edit a Gantt chart in PowerPoint, double-click on the chart area (but not directly on the bars) to open the Bar Styles window. In the Name column, choose the type of Gantt bar you wish to format, such as Task or Progress, and then click on the Bars tab to change the color, shape, or pattern of the bars.

To build a basic Gantt chart, begin by setting up your project details. Then, add tasks to your project and schedule them accordingly. Next, incorporate important project milestones and establish dependencies for tasks that require them. Finally, invite participants to your project and assign tasks to the responsible individuals.

To make a timeline chart in PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab and select SmartArt. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click on Process and then double-click on a timeline layout of your choice. You can choose from layouts like Basic Timeline and Circle Accent Timeline, or use any process-related SmartArt graphic.

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How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint (+ Free Templates)

Table of Contents

If you need a high-level overview of your project activities and schedule, there’s hardly a better tool to opt for than a Gantt chart. 

In case PowerPoint presentations are a staple in your day-to-day work too, read on to learn how to build a Gantt chart in PowerPoint — or just use one of our free Gantt chart PowerPoint templates.

How to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint

There are 2 types of Gantt charts you can make in Microsoft Office’s PowerPoint:

• A manual Gantt chart, and
• A stacked bar Gantt chart.

Let’s go through the steps for each method in detail.

Method #1: A manual Gantt chart

One of the easiest ways to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint is to use the app’s table functions.

To make a manual Gantt chart in PowerPoint, you should:

• Insert a blank table,
• Make the timeline,
• Add project tasks ,
• Map the project activity, and
• Add milestones, dependencies, and a time indicator.

Step#1: Insert a blank table

In a blank slide, go to the top left corner of the app and select Insert > Table > Insert Table . Insert a table with 13 columns and 7 rows.

The table will come pre-styled by default in PowerPoint, but we need a blank canvas. 

To get a blank table, highlight it and select Table Design > Borders . Choose All borders so that the table looks like a grid.

To remove the fill color, highlight the table again, select Home > Shape fill , and choose No Fill . 

Resize the table to fit the slide.

Step #2: Make the timeline

For this example, we will create a timeline that shows both weeks and months.

To label the weeks, type Week 1 in the 2nd row’s 2nd cell. Continue the sequence (Week 1–4) until the end of the row.

To label the months, select cells 2–5 in the 1st row and then go to Layout > Merge Cells .

Type the month in the newly merged cell, and repeat the process for the remaining 8 cells in the 1st row. This Gantt chart should show 3 months’ worth of project activity.

In case the font color is white by default, select those 3 newly merged cells, go to Home > Font Color , and choose another shade.

Otherwise, format as you wish, making sure the text is clearly visible and centered. If you want, you can also color-code the table. 

The same table format can be used for quarters and months. If you go for weeks and months, remember to adjust the number of weeks in the table for each specific month.

💡 Plaky Pro Tip

You can also use a project timeline instead of a Gantt chart to visualize your project. Learn how to create one and get access to free project timeline templates in the post below:

• How to Create a Project Timeline in 9 Easy Steps (+ Free Templates)

Step #3: Add project tasks

Add the project tasks in the 1st column, starting in the 3rd row.

Resize the column if necessary by highlighting it, navigating to Layout , and changing the column width. In case this takes the table beyond the slide, resize it to fit again.

While here, you can also merge the first 2 cells of the 1st column and use that space for the project name.

Format the cells as you wish.

Step #4: Map the project activity

To map the activities on the chart, go to the Insert tab and select Shapes . Pick a shape that could resemble a task bar, such as the pentagon.

Drag the cursor to draw the shape and resize it so that it accurately shows the task’s duration.

Fill the shape with a color of your choice. Repeat for all tasks.

You can also double-click on the shapes and type the dates or task owners for each task.

Step #5: Add milestones, dependencies, and a time indicator

To add project milestones , go to Insert > Shapes and pick the diamond shape.

Drag the cursor to draw the shape, and resize and color as you wish. 

Once done, place the shape wherever you want to indicate a milestone.

To add dependencies, go to Insert > Shapes > Lines and pick the elbow arrow connector. 

Use the shape to link 2 dependent tasks together. Then, double-click on the shape to bring up the Format Shape options. Format as you wish.

You can also indicate types of task dependencies by inserting a text box ( Insert > Text Box ) beneath the connector and writing the appropriate abbreviation — FS, SS, SF, or FF.

Finally, to create a functional time indicator, go to Insert > Shapes > Rectangles and choose:

• 1 regular or rounded rectangle to serve as the base for the time indicator, and
• 1 regular rectangle to serve as the indicator line.

Draw both shapes and make sure they’re both the same color. Then, place the 2nd rectangle in the middle of the 1st one to finalize the shape of the time indicator.

Once you’re happy with the shapes, select both of them and right-click to bring up a menu. Select Group > Group . 

Now you can move the whole indicator across the Gantt chart whenever necessary.

And that’s it — your manual chart is all done.

Free Project Management Software

Stop wasting time on creating Gantt charts in PowerPoint. Speed up and streamline your schedule management process with an easy-to-use project management tool—Try Plaky!

Method #2: Automated Gantt chart

Another way you could make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint is by using a stacked bar chart.

To create an automated Gantt chart, you should:

• Insert a stacked bar chart,
• Add your project data to an Excel table,
• Hide the End date column,
• Turn the stacked bar chart into a Gantt chart, and
• Customize the Gantt chart.

Step #1: Insert a stacked bar chart

In a blank slide, go to Insert > Chart > Column and choose the stacked bar chart type from the 2-D bar category.

PowerPoint will then automatically insert a chart and open an Excel sheet where you can add your project data.

Step #2: Add your project data to the Excel table

In the automatically generated Excel sheet, add your project tasks in column A.

Then, rename the other 3 columns to:

• Start date (column B),
• End date (column C), and
• Duration (column D).

Since columns B and C should show dates, highlight them and right-click to bring up a menu. 

Choose Format Cells > Number and select Date from the Category selection to pick the desired date format before adding the values. Alternatively, create a custom date format.

To calculate task duration, use the following formula in cell D2: 

Afterward, drag the fill handle from cell D2 to apply the formula to the whole column.

Step #3: Hide the End date column

Back in the Excel sheet, select the End date column and right-click on it to bring up the menu. Choose Hide to remove it from the chart.

Step #4: Turn the stacked bar chart into a Gantt chart

To turn the stacked bar chart into a Gantt chart, select any of the Start date bars and right-click to bring up a menu. 

Choose Format Data Series and go to the 1st tab in the panel with the color bucket icon.

In the Fill category, choose No Fill .

Now, the chart should look like this.

Step #5: Customize your Gantt chart

A few ways you could customize your automated Gantt chart is to:

• Change the default Chart Title,
• Reverse the task order, and
• Remove the chart legend.

Change the Chart Title to your project’s title by double-clicking on the title text box and typing the project name.

To reverse the order in which the tasks appear in the chart, double-click the task text box to open the Format Axis panel. Then, navigate to Axis Options , open the 4th tab, choose Axis Options , and check the Categories in reverse order option.

Finally, you can select the chart legend and delete it with the Backspace key. Alternatively, you can select legend components individually to delete them.

Create an easy project timeline in no time at all! Automate your schedule management with Plaky.

PowerPoint Gantt chart templates

If using PowerPoint to make your Gantt charts seems too complicated, we’ve created a few editable PowerPoint Gantt chart templates:

🔽 Plaky Manual PowerPoint Gantt Chart Templates

🔽 Plaky Automated PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template

You get access to 4 different PowerPoint Gantt chart templates in total:

• Yearly manual Gantt chart,
• Monthly manual Gantt chart,
• Weekly manual Gantt chart, and
• Automated Gantt chart.

Now let’s see how you could customize these templates.

How to customize your Gantt chart templates

Once you download the templates, you can customize them by:

• Adding details about your projects and tasks,
• Changing the chart’s color scheme and formatting,
• Adding extra columns or rows,
• Making a chart legend, and
• Adding dependencies to the automated Gantt chart.

Tip #1: Add project and task details

In the manual Gantt chart templates, fill in the table with your own project and task details, including:

• Task names,
• Dates or timelines,
• Task owners,
• Project name,
• Project manager ’s name, etc.

Move the task bars around to make a better project schedule. Once you’re happy with it, add milestones and dependencies.

The task bars can indicate the task owner’s name or the task’s timeline. 

If you go for the timeline, you can write your project team members ’ names next to their tasks in separate text boxes. 

Alternatively, you can insert the task owner’s image, use the Picture Format tab to edit it, and place it next to the task bar.

While here, you can also replace the default Plaky logo with your company’s logo.

To add project data to the automated Gantt chart PowerPoint template, select the chart and navigate to Chart Design > Edit Data in Excel .

Any changes you make there will be automatically reflected in the Gantt chart. 

If you want to change any other element in the chart, e.g., project title or logo, select those elements and replace them with your own.

Tip #2: Change the chart’s color scheme and formatting

In the manual Gantt chart templates, change the color of the task bars by selecting each individually and choosing another Shape Fill shade. You can do the same for every cell you select in the monthly template.

However, in the automated Gantt chart template, select only one of the task bars and choose another Shape Fill color if you want to automatically change them all.

If you need more variety, double-click on each task bar individually and choose another shade from the Shape Fill menu again.

These templates also comprise various text boxes that can be reformatted by selecting and editing the text boxes individually.

But if you want to automatically change the font size, style, color, etc., of the whole chart (manual or automated), you only need to select the whole chart to make your changes.

Tip #3: Add extra rows and columns

If you need more rows for your tasks in the manual Gantt chart templates, right-click on a cell in the last row in the table and go to Insert > Insert Rows Below .

In case you want to add multiple rows at once, select exactly the number of rows you want to add and then go to Insert > Insert Rows Below .

You will likely have to add more columns in the weekly manual Gantt chart template, depending on the year and months you want to track.

If necessary, you can also add extra columns to make your Gantt charts more detailed, such as a Task Owner and a Duration column. 

Keep in mind, though, that you are limited in space in PowerPoint. Adding new columns or rows will require resizing the manually drawn Gantt charts and their elements.

Tip #4: Add a chart legend

If you decide to color-code your tasks by any criteria (e.g., status), create a color legend beneath your manual Gantt chart.

To make the legend, go to Insert > Insert Table . You only need 2 rows, but insert as many columns as you have tasks.

Once inserted, remove the default table style to ensure it’s completely blank. Then, add the tasks in the 1st row and color in the cells in the 2nd row with the same shades you used for your task bars.

Tip #5: Add dependencies to the automated Gantt chart template 

Though it’s impossible to add task dependencies automatically in the automated Gantt chart template, you can add them manually.

The process is the same as for the manual Gantt charts:

• Go to Insert > Shapes > Lines and pick the elbow line connector,
• Draw the shape to connect 2 tasks, and
• Add a text box beneath the connector where you’ll write the dependency type.

You might need to reshape the connector using the yellow rectangle in the middle and the 2 green circles at its ends to make it fit better between tasks.

Remember, though, that these connectors won’t be a real part of your chart. So, if you move, resize, or otherwise edit the chart, you’ll have to do the same with the connectors.

Why make it hard when you can make it simple? With Plaky, an interactive Gantt chart is only 3 clicks away.

How to make a Gantt chart in Plaky

As you can see, making Gantt charts in PowerPoint isn’t for the faint of heart – so why not make it easier on yourself? 

In Gantt chart software like Plaky, you can create customizable Gantt charts in 3 easy steps:

• Make a project board ,
• Create a new Gantt view, and
• Customize the chart to your needs.

Step #1: Make a Plaky project board

Plaky allows its users to create project boards from scratch. However, you can also speed up the whole process by relying on one of Plaky’s premade project management templates or uploading a CSV file.

To use Gantt charts in Plaky, make sure that your board has a Date or a Timeline field .

Once it’s all set up, add your project data to the main table.

Step #2: Create a new Gantt view

To make a Gantt chart in Plaky, all you need to do is create a new Gantt view. The chart will automatically pull all the information it needs from the main table.

Step #3: Customize your Plaky Gantt chart

Now all that’s left is to customize your Gantt chart to your preferences.

For starters, you can pick the time period you want the chart to show, e.g., weeks, days, or months.

In Gantt settings, you can also choose the criteria you want to use to group, label, and color your tasks. 

You can always remove the current time indicator and the color legend too. 

And in case you need to rethink the schedule — just use the cursor to drag tasks around and extend or shorten their duration.

Can you make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can. The best way to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint is to either draw it manually or build it using a stacked bar chart.

Does PowerPoint have a Gantt chart template?

Yes, PowerPoint has 5 different Gantt chart templates:

• 2-month Gantt chart,
• Multi-month Gantt chart,
• 2-year Gantt chart,
• Blue 2-year Gantt chart, and
• 5-year Gantt chart.

You can find them all by going to Home > New and typing “Gantt” in the search bar.

How do I edit a Gantt chart in PowerPoint?

If you need to edit the project data in your automated PowerPoint Gantt chart, select the chart, navigate to Chart Design , and pick Edit Data in Excel .

To customize your manual Gantt charts in PowerPoint, use the Format Chart Area , Format Data Series , and Format Axis panels to change fill colors, outline colors, category order, and more.

Does Microsoft have a Gantt chart tool?

Yes, Microsoft has a Timeline (Gantt) view available with its project management tool — Microsoft Project. Project users can also rely on the Gantt Chart Wizard if they need some help coming up with functional Gantt charts.

Can I make a Gantt chart in Excel?

Yes, you can use Excel to make Gantt charts. Check out our guide on how to create a Gantt chart in Excel to learn more about the methods and download our free Gantt chart Excel templates.

Can I make a Gantt chart in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can use Google Sheets to design functional Gantt charts for your projects. Read our post on how to make a Gantt chart in Google Sheets and get access to our free Gantt chart Google Sheets templates.

Rely on Plaky for efficient project monitoring

If you’ve ever needed to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint for an upcoming presentation at work, you’re now well-equipped to do so successfully.

That said, it’s evident that PowerPoint is not the ideal tool for making elaborate Gantt charts that are both easy to read and edit whenever necessary.

If you’re eager to create detailed Gantt charts that will make managing your projects more efficient — Plaky is the tool for you.

As a comprehensive project management tool with an exquisite array of task management, collaboration, and progress-tracking features, Plaky is ready to help you tackle any project you have in mind.

Is creating and editing Gantt charts in PowerPoint too much of a hassle? Choose Plaky if you need a user-friendly, detailed, high-level overview of your project tasks. Sign up for a free account today .

Tamara is a project management author and researcher who enjoys sharing her knowledge and tips on everything you may want to know about project management. Having spent years writing content on a variety of topics, she recognized how passionate she was about this niche — and decided to pursue it full-time.

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How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

Audio version:

Whether you manage a project or are just involved in its implementation, you might have probably heard about or used a Gantt chart , a bar chart that visually represents a project.

A Gantt chart is usually applied in project management for task scheduling, identifying milestones, keeping track of progress and deadlines, and other similar purposes. And on many occasions, there is a need to present this chart, while reporting on the status quo of the project to the stakeholders.

Even though there is a multitude of programs to create and demonstrate presentations, the product of Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, remains one of the most commonly used worldwide.

Therefore, it is quite a recurrent question on how to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint. To that end, we’ve compiled a small guide that addresses this issue and covers the following aspects:

How to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint

Powerpoint gantt chart template, how to insert a gantt chart in a powerpoint presentation, how to create and work with gantt charts faster and more effectively.

If you want to work with Gantt charts in other tools, we have also explained in our previous step-by-step guides how to make a Gantt chart in MS Project , how to create a Gantt chart in Excel , how to do it in Google Sheets , and even Word .  

So, let’s see how to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint.

To start with, add a new slide in your PPT and choose the background color that will be contrasting with your chart. In my case, I’ve chosen a plain dark one from PowerPoint, but you can also use predesigned PowerPoint background templates .

Then go to Insert → Table and select Insert table . Let’s set 13 columns (12 for the months and 1 for the tasks) and 1 row, and click OK.

Once you see 13 columns on your slide, increase their height for the full screen and the width for the first column. To do that, you can go to Layout and then select Width and insert the value. In my case, it will be 7,6 cm.

Now that we have the table, let’s work with the visual appeal of the table. Here, you may select all the columns and go to Design and select the smallest width for the borders, grey color in the Pen color and select All borders for showing all the borders.

You can also select Shading and choose No fill so that your table does not have a background color.

Now, let’s go back to the technical aspects of the chart. Here we have to split the first column into multiple rows. For that, select the first column and go to Layout → Split Cells and choose the number of rows depending on the number of tasks you have. In my case, I choose 1 column and 12 rows.

Now you can insert tasks into these rows. You can change the text color, alignment, and other attributes according to your preferences.

Once we have filled all the rows, we need to add months on top of the table. For that, go to Insert → Text Box and just insert the abbreviation of the first month ‘January’ above the first column, adjusting the font size and alignment to your table. Then you can press Ctrl+D and copy this for the rest of the rows, changing the abbreviated months accordingly.

You have to get a table like this: 

Now it’s time to start adding the timelines. To do that, you have to go to Insert → Shapes → Rectangles .

Here you can add rectangles for each task considering the duration, end and start dates of the tasks. You can also select different colors for the tasks to differentiate them somehow. Besides, you can take the same steps to show dependencies between the tasks.

Go to Insert → Shapes → Lines and choose the connector you want.

If necessary, you can also add the title to your Gantt Chart. For that, go to Insert → Text Box and add the title.

For your convenience, you can also add some formatting to differentiate the months’ columns. For example, you may select the column, do right click and choose Format Shape . Choose a white color and set 98% transparency.

For now, you will have something like this: 

Here is also what you can do to track and show the progress on the Gantt chart. Let’s suppose you are in March, you have already started working on some tasks and want to show them on your Gantt Chart.

To do that, go to Insert → Shapes → Rectangles and select a Rounded corner rectangle. Insert it below the Chart and give it a name (e.g. Current progress).

Then, again, go to Insert → Shapes → Rectangles and choose a Rectangle. Select the same color for it and place it in the center of the Rounded corner rectangle. Then select both rectangles and press Ctrl+G to group them.

After that, you will be able to slide it depending on the progress you’ve made so far. This is it. Your PowerPoint Gantt Chart is ready.

Lastly, if you want to add animation to your PowerPoint Gantt chart, go to Animations , select Wipe , and choose From left in Effect options . Apply this formatting for each row and set Start → After previous for each timeline, so that they appear in sequence.

For those who do not want to create their own Gantt chart in PowerPoint, there are plenty of free Gantt chart PowerPoint templates publicly available on the internet.

For example, you can find:

• Simple Gantt chart templates Powerpoint.
• PowerPoint Gantt chart template.
• Gantt Chart for PowerPoint ;
• Gantt Chart PowerPoint Template.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template with Dependencies.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template for Software Development.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template for Project Status Report.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template for Project Outline.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template for Project Management Plan.
• PowerPoint Gantt Chart Template for Project Timeline .

It may be the case that despite making your presentation in PowerPoint, you don’t want to have a PowerPoint Gantt chart and prefer to insert a more professional complex Gantt chart.

So, if you are looking for a perfect external source that can help to create such a Gantt chart, a good fit for you may be GanttPRO , online project management software based on Gantt charts.

The whole process is simple and will take just a few minutes. First of all, create your account in GanttPRO. There you would be able to create a Gantt chart for free and enjoy 14 days of trial with all the software functions enabled.

Once you enter the app, you’ll see a ‘+’ sign at the top-left corner of the screen. Press it and select Create new project . A window like this will appear.

There you may introduce your Project name, start date of the project, customize working days and working hours if applicable, and then press Create a new project. There’s also an option to import a project in .xlsx, .csv, and .mpp formats or from Jira Cloud.

When you create a new project, by default it will be empty. So, how do you create a Gantt chart? All you need to do is to follow these four easy steps:

• Define dates for tasks and the entire calendar.
• Connect tasks with dependencies.
• Assign tasks.

Once you’re done with that, go to the upper right corner and select Export . There you can choose PNG format and your project’s details that should be included in the chart.

Finally, open your PPT and insert the exported Gantt chart.

One of the truly useful functions of GanttPRO, which is relevant for presentations, is that it provides advanced and convenient options for sharing the project’s progress with a Gantt chart that can include any information related to the project. Apart from the method discussed above, there are two more options to share a Gantt chart via public URL that will show:

• a dynamic state; or
• a static state.

For a dynamic state that is set by default, you’ll share a current state of a plan where all the following changes will be also reflected.

For a static state of the project, you’ll make a snapshot of a current state of a project (ticking the box “Snapshot” in the “Public URL” window). Thus, you will share a static picture of your project taken at the moment you’ve created this public URL. In this case, all the following changes will not be reflected.

At the same time, if we are talking about complex ongoing projects, there is also a possibility to insert a URL of your project’s Gantt chart into your PowerPoint presentation. In this case, whenever you’re going to present, your audience will get the most up-to-date state of the project, since it is synchronized in real-time mode.

This, indeed, is not the only great feature of GanttPRO. A great variety of functions of this cloud-based project management software will not only make your work with Gantt charts simple and quick, but also significantly facilitate the management of your projects.

GanttPRO features will help you in:

You can establish dependencies and task hierarchies and set milestones; set project calendar and enable auto scheduling that will recalculate everything when dependent tasks are modified.

• Task management.

The app provides you with customizable options to work with tasks; introduce bulk changes and set priorities. 

• Project management.

You have options like critical path, baselines, and history changes that allow you to track the state of the project and carry it out as fluidly as it can be.

• Team and resource management.

GanttPRO embraces features that let you assign tasks, log actions, invite team members or add virtual resources and set personal values and personal calendar for each of them; and manage their workloads

• Time management.

This category includes features for keeping track of deadlines, defining the duration for your tasks or setting the estimated time; tracking time spent on tasks by team members; creating time log reports to track efficiency.

On top of that, GanttPRO provides plenty of advanced functions for costs and budget management, thus, cost management won’t be a problem either. Its elaborate collaboration functions will improve the whole team interaction, making everyone aware of things that happen in the project. Whilst the export function will let you save the charts in popular formats such as PNG and PDF, and share them instantly.

The tool’s intuitive interface and a short learning curve will allow you to create your first project in a matter of minutes. GanttPRO offers plenty of Gantt chart templates to suit most professional areas and teams to make this process as easy as it can be.

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2 Crazy-Fast Ways to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Charts & Data Viz
• March 24, 2016

How do you quickly turn your Excel data into visual PowerPoint layouts in minutes, rather than hours? There are two super fast ways to do this:

The first technique we’ll cover is an insanely clever PowerPoint hack (that few know about), and the second is an awesome add-in you can get to do all of the heavy lifting for you.

They both adhere to the Golden Rule of Speed Training:

Never do anything manually in PowerPoint that PowerPoint can automatically.

Whereas most people would insert shapes and copy/paste and/or retype their text, moving from Excel to PowerPoint, we’re going to focus on getting PowerPoint to do the heavy lifting for you, because…

The less manual-mumbo-jumbo you have to do to build your graphic, the more you can get done!

For this PowerPoint tutorial, I’ll focus 100% on creating Gantt Charts or timelines, but the same rules and hacks apply to any other Excel data you might have, BUT…

Let’s first get this out of the way.

Yes…your Gantt Chart data is easy to type up and hold in Excel (what I call  listy-Excel ).

But it looks 1,000% better when presented properly in PowerPoint (what I call  vsual-PowerPoint ).

That’s why I advocate taking your Gantt data from Excel and pushing into PowerPoint, AND…

I’ll show you how to do it (see the graphic below) in less than 12 minutes with pure PowerPoint skills, and then how to do it  24x faster  (in less than 30 seconds) using an add-in.

And the two main obstacles you need to overcome when moving form  listy-Excel  to  visual-PowerPoint  are:

Obstacle #1: Getting started without going crazy

Getting your Excel information in PowerPoint shapes that you can then fully manipulate is a no-starter for most people…

BUT it doesn’t have to be!

What can take most people 10, 20 or even 60 minutes to pull off, I’ll show you how to do in just a few minutes.

Obstacle #2: Updating the data after the fact

This is the classic Excel to PowerPoint challenge. How do you quickly update your information without spending hours re-manipulating your objects or having to start all over again?

That’s where these two clever techniques come into play…

The first is an  insanely clever PowerPoint hack  (that few know about); and the second is an add-in you can get to do all of the heavy lifting for you.

And even though you will fall in love with the add-in (covered below), the first hack is something EVERY PowerPoint Ninja should know, so don’t skip ahead just yet.

Technique #1: DIY your Gantt chart

This first technique is a PowerPoint hack that every professional should know, as it makes moving between Excel and PowerPoint almost too easy.

This is the fastest way I know of (other than the add-in) to turn lists of data into Excel, into visual layouts in PowerPoint. This is  PowerPoint Speed Training  at its best!

Visual learners can watch the video below, otherwise skip the video and read on.

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For Mac users, you can see the caveats for doing this below. You can also learn more about creating Gantt charts on a Mac here .

Note: This works best for single columns. If you have multiple columns, you will need to repeat these steps multiple times, but don’t worry…it’s fast and fairly painless.

Step #1: Copy the data from your Excel spreadsheet

From PowerPoint, navigate to Excel and select the range of data that you want to turn into individual shapes in PowerPoint.

Step #2: Paste your column of data into PowerPoint as text

After copying your information in Excel, hit ALT + TAB to flip back to PowerPoint and hit CTRL + V to paste…

And immediately notice that you have a Paste Special icon in the lower right-hand corner of your pasted object.

To learn other cool Windows 10 shortcuts like Alt + Tab, check out the video below, or  see our blog post here .

Note:  The icon below only shows up when you first paste something into PowerPoint. If don’t see it, delete the object on your slide and hit CTRL + V again.

Open up the Paste Special dialog box and select the last option, Keep Text Only

Although it doesn’t look like you have a lot at this point, bear with me…

Step #3: Convert your list of text into SmartArt

Select the text box on your slide (so that you have a solid outline around it), navigate to the Home Tab, open up the Convert to SmartArt dropdown and you want to focus on two options here.

This is VERY IMPORTANT.

Option #1: The vertical bullet list

Selecting the Vertical Bullet List option turns your graphic into a vertical column of shapes. In this case, the Vertical Bullet List is perfect for the categories and dates beneath our timeline.

Option #2: The organizational chart

Pick either one of these (I will continue on with the vertical layout).

If you’ve never seen that before, that should already explode your mind…but we are just getting started.

Regardless of which of the two different layouts you use, just make sure you don’t stop here. Next you want to…

Step #4: Pick your SmartArt graphic

Select your SmartArt graphic and hit the ungroup shortcut (CTRL + SHIFT + G) twice.

• CTRL + SHIFT + G the first time breaks the graphic into a group of objects
• CTRL + SHIFT + G a second time breaks the graphic down into individual objects

Doing so gets all of your Excel data into individual rectangles that you can then work with which is much faster than trying to retype it yourself.

Step #5: Repeat for your other columns of Excel data

Repeat the same process for whatever additional columns of Excel data you need to convert to PowerPoint shapes for your Gantt chart graphic.

Again, make sure you choose the correct SmartArt graphic to get your shapes started in the correct position.

Note: For the dates, I used a custom excel data format “mmm – dd” to get the month’s name and the actual date.

Step #6: Rearrange, format, and align your objects

From here, you will need to rearrange, format and align your objects.

There are 3 major downsides to this technique:

Downside #1: Manually arranging and formatting your objects

Although the SmartArt Ninja trick for turning your Excel data into PowerPoint objects is awesome, you still need to manually update, format and align your objects.

How long it takes you depends on how much speed training you’ve had.

Downside #2: The timeline is not 100% exact

Let’s face it, if you are manually moving things around in PowerPoint for a timeline, things will not be 100% exact.

In the graphic above, I guesstimated where the dates start and stop…I didn’t not figure out the exact place where Sept-8 should line up with the Sept rectangle, for example. In this case I think it’s fine, but if you want 100% precision, you want the add-in I’m about to show you next.

Downside #3: Updating the Gantt chart

As the graphic is manually built by you, updating your Gantt Chart requires you to do it manually. There is no way to dynamically link the Gantt Chart up with your Excel spreadsheet.

On the flip side, there is an add-in that will do ALL of this heavy lifting for you.

Technique #2: The Office Timeline add-in

Now let’s look at the big guns for building Gantt Charts quickly – the Office Timeline+ add-in.

If you build lots of project charts and timelines like this, you simply need to get the Office Timeline+ add-in which does ALL of the heavy lifting for you including:

• Building the entire graphic for you
• Allowing you to quickly change elements within the graphic
• Allowing you to quickly update the data sets
• Building the time sequence for you and keeping it all exact (and I mean PERFECTLY exact)

If you have a lot of Gantt charts to create and manage, you’re going to want the Office Timeline+ add-in as it will not only make building the original Gantt chart easier…

But will also allow you to dynamically update the Gantt chart after the fact, which is super cool!

You can  download a free version of Office Timeline add-in here , just note that to paste from Excel to PowerPoint, as I show you below, you will need the paid version.

That said, we think this add-in does SO MUCH, that the price is a big time steal!

Step #1: Start a new Office Timeline+ graphic

Select the Office Timeline+ tab in your Ribbon (1). Then, select New, in the upper left-hand corner (2).

Next, select your graphic style, I’ve selected the Metro style here (3). And finally, select the arrow to advance to the Milestones tab (yes, it’s that easy!) (4).

Step #2: Copy and paste your milestones

Hit ALT + TAB to toggle to Excel (if you already have it open). In your Excel sheet select your milestones (make sure to include the dates as well) and hit CTRL + C to copy them.

Now ALT + TAB back to PowerPoint, and in the Milestones window, paste in your milestones using the paste Icon (1)

To see the ALT + TAB shortcut in action, see Top Windows 10 Shortcut #5 below.

After pasting, click on the right arrow to navigate to the Tasks tab (2).

Step #3: Copy and paste your tasks into the wizard

Once more, hit ALT + TAB to jump back to PowerPoint and using the paste icon up in the upper right-rand corner, paste in your task data (1).

Now click the check-mark to finish (2).

Step #4: Appreciate your chart!

Holy smokes, this chart was created in less than 30 seconds! That is  the fastest way to make a Gantt chart  in PowerPoint that I know of.

The add-in will insert a new slide (it’s a special Office Timeline+ slide that helps run the graphic), so you’ll need to add your Title and/or Subtitle back, but that’s a small price to pay for all of the time savings.

Step #5: Format your graphic

At this point there is a TON you can do to format and customize your graphics. To see my 5 favorite formatting features of Office Timeline+, including how to turn your graphic into a table, check out the 5 Favorite Office Timeline+ Tricks blog post .

Next steps for your Gantt Chart or timeline

Before we get to formatting the graphic, let’s look at what we have accomplished.

Instead of manually adding shapes to your PowerPoint slide and copying/pasting or retyping your text, which violates our Golden Rule of Speed Training:

Never Do Anything Manually That PowerPoint Can Automatically Do For You

Instead we looked at:

• How to turn your Excel data into PowerPoint shapes using and breaking SmartArt graphics. Remember, you can stack your data both vertically and horizontally.
• How to use the Office Timeline+ add-in to crank out Gantt charts and timelines 24 times faster than you could on your own.

And the truth is that, using the Office Timeline+ add-in…

The fun has just begun!

Once your information is within the graphic, there is a TON of formatting the graphic can AUTOMATICALLY do for you, all of which I cover in the following post.

What’s Next?

Related articles.

• What is a broken link chart in PowerPoint (and how to fix it)?
• Bar chart trick: Right aligning categories (PPT, Word, and Excel)
• PowerPoint settings: program level vs. presentation level
• What is a linked Excel chart in PowerPoint?
• Set Up Slide Show: Customize how your PPT presentations run

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The do’s and don’ts of creating a great Gantt chart for your PowerPoint presentation

Learn how you can create outstanding Gantt charts in PowerPoint with the Office Timeline tool and make boring presentations a thing of the past.

Tim Stumbles

Jan 27, 2013

Last updated on June 11, 2021 

A customer recently said something that really stuck with me. He said that “teams and leadership are all bored to death of looking at complex Gantt charts and project schedules.” This was a senior Project Manager in a global aeronautics company. My sense was that he has probably worked on some pretty big projects and that he had seen his fair share of Gantt diagrams. His comment resonated because I have made this mistake in my career.

A beautifully designed and easy-to-understand  Gantt chart  is not only an essential element of  high-level PowerPoint presentations  but also one of the main joys in a project manager’s life—like short Zoom meetings and the first coffee of the day.

As a former project manager, I know how it feels to be rushing to get that Gantt chart you created from scratch finished before the meeting starts, only to realize that the end result is not as professional-looking and engaging as you hoped it would be (especially if you try to paste your complicated Excel chart into a PowerPoint slide).

More often than not, the charts I used to create in the past ended up making it difficult for my audience to follow project progress and had ‘guaranteed boredom’ spelled all over them. Plus, keeping those Gantt charts updated proved to be a true nightmare.

That’s when I realized that I needed a  timeline maker  that would seamlessly plug into PowerPoint, the most popular medium for business presentations, and allow me to  easily design, update, share and keep track of all my Gantt charts and timelines .

In this article, I want to show you how you can create beautiful Gantt chart visuals for your project schedule in an intuitive way, directly in Microsoft PowerPoint.

7 tips and tricks for making a great Gantt chart in PowerPoint

First of all, if you want to know more about  how to make Gantt charts in PowerPoint , you can check the helpful step-by-step tutorial that teaches you not only how to create one manually from scratch but also how to generate it automatically.

With that out of the way, we can now focus on these  7 key tips that will help you create the most compelling Gantt chart presentations whenever your clients and executives ask for them .

1. Choose relevant task names

Use descriptive task names when building your chart so that your audience can understand exactly what work each task involves. So instead of “Development Stage 1”, you could rather say “Brainstorming and planning.”

2. Organize project tasks into groups or stages

If you’re dealing with a more complex project, you should consider grouping your project tasks together. This will make your Gantt chart easier to scan and digest and efficiently communicate to your team and other stakeholders what activities are included in a deliverable or project stage.

3. Use color coding to enrich your chart

If there’s a way to keep complex project data interesting and easy to follow, that’s  color coding . You can use various colors such as green, red, orange, and blue to illustrate completed tasks, in-progress work, and delays or highlight priorities and task dependencies.

4. Illustrate dependencies from the start

Project activities are interrelated, which means that preceding tasks directly influence the completion of succeeding ones. The most common type of dependency is finish-to-start, where the predecessor must be finished before the successor can begin. If you don’t show such a dependency in your Gantt chart, you risk having the whole flow of work interrupted, which often results in unwanted delays.

5. Set milestones to track progress

Adding milestones to your Gantt charts helps keep your team motivated and your project going as planned. Also, clients and executives find it easier to understand progress when they can see what milestones have been achieved and which ones follow next.

6. Keep your Gantt chart updated

Since change is a constant in project life cycles, it’s only normal that you should make sure that those changes get recorded into your Gantt chart. That’s why it’s important to choose the right tool that facilitates team collaboration when it comes to creating project visuals that reflect real-time progress.

7. Customize a ready-made Gantt chart template

As it happens with most management tools, there’s a learning curve involved that you have to go through in order to make impressive Gantt charts. However, you can flatten that curve and get the results you want while also saving time and effort by simply using pre-designed  Gantt chart templates .

How to use Gantt charts the right way

As I look back the mistake was trying to use my project software or Visio for Gantt chart presentation work. It was difficult to paste their images into PowerPoint and really hard to finesse them so they looked ok. Despite best effort and lots of time trying to get these slides into a presentable state the result was never really that good. They had too much data squished onto each image and the aesthetics were awful. 

This is what made it difficult for audiences to follow. I needed a  Gantt chart maker that was native to PowerPoint so the slide could be manipulated, updated, edited and changed in PowerPoint as my project evolved.

Now there is only so much you can fit on a PowerPoint slide, so I also needed to learn which parts of my project schedule were “presentation worthy,” and which parts could be left out of the presentation.   Early on I thought presenting as much Gantt chart detail was the right thing to do.  

But overtime I learned to summarize the key milestones and tasks, particularly for presentations to my leadership and to my clients. When I was able to condense project schedules it was easier to build more engaging slides.  This made it much easier to communicate them and I felt like I could win the management and customer support I needed.

Get started with Gantt charts today

There’s no time to waste when you’re a project manager, especially when you have to make sure that there are no bottlenecks along the way and projects get delivered on time and on budget.

Office Timeline’s free PowerPoint Add-in  allows you to create outstanding Gantt charts that your clients and executives will love in no time. Stay on top of things by communicating deadlines and tracking progress across projects with a user-friendly Gantt chart software that does all the hard work for you.

Download the free add-in for PowerPoint now and start creating stunning project visuals within minutes.

Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of Office Timeline, a Seattle-based start-up that aims to rid the world of boring, uninspiring meetings.

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How to Make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint: 5 Methods & PPT Templates

What is a gantt chart, method 1. in powerpoint, method 2. in microsoft project, method 3. in excel, method 4. office timeline add-in, method 5. smartsheet, useful tips.

• Collection of Free Gantt Chart Template for PowerPoint

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Gantt Chart template Powerpoint. Do you need to create a Gantt chart? There are many options. In this article, I’ll show you how to create a Gantt chart presentation and provide you with a set of quality ready-made Gantt chart templates for PowerPoint. Choose the best method for you.

A Gantt chart is a popular type of bar chart that is used to illustrate a plan or a schedule for a project. In the picture, we see a Gantt chart for project planning. Each segment can correspond to a separate project, task, or subtask.

You can visualize the total time spent by the project, the resources involved, as well as the order and dependencies of the tasks.

In a nutshell, Gantt charts are project maps that illustrate what needs to be done, in what order, and at what time .

To display a Gantt chart, it usually requires at least a start date and an end date. For more complex Gantt charts, you must enter a percentage of completion and/or dependence on another task.

How to Create a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint

Surprisingly, the Gantt chart, which is one of the most well-known and used types of charts for management planning, is not represented in PowerPoint. We can create a similar timeline chart but not a Gantt chart, specifically. Microsoft Office does include it in the Microsoft Project program .

You can use a program such as Microsoft Project to create a Gantt chart and then take a screenshot of the chart and paste it into PowerPoint. In some cases, this is a perfectly acceptable option; however, editing the chart information in PowerPoint will be impossible.

In addition, presentations usually require a very small amount of data. Otherwise, there is a risk of overloading the slide with information and it will be difficult for participants in the presentation to perceive it. Accordingly, it is also quite possible to make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint using Excel .

You can change the chart information at any time because it will be a separate media file that you can simply update. But the fastest and most universal way is a ready-to-use PowerPoint template . This is extremely convenient.

I will give you five popular methods to build a Gantt chart from scratch.

This presentation tool from Microsoft allows you to not only insert ready-made photo diagrams but also create them yourself. This process is quite simple and does not require the user to have any skills to work with tables. I will show you how using Microsoft PowerPoint 2016. Follow these steps:

• Create a new presentation File>Create>Blank Presentation .
• Next, go to the Insert tab and select Chart .

• Click Bar>3-D Stacked Bar .
• A pop-up window will appear, which is an environment for working with Excel tables .

• Enter the necessary information and the result is the following schedule:

• After you enter all necessary data, move the cursor and click on the Chart Filters icon.
• In the Values block, uncheck all checkboxes except Series 1 , click Apply .

The program was created to manage various projects. Microsoft Project has built-in tools to work with tables, presentations, charts, etc. Microsoft’s familiar tools, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and even Skype for Business, are integrated here. There are additional add-ons. It is important to know that the template is built into this software, so users should not have any difficulties. Follow these steps:

• Go to File .
• Open Options and Customize Ribbon .
• Select a box Project and click New Group .
• In the left column in Ribbon Settings click Commands Not on the Ribbon .
• Scroll through the list and look for the item Gantt Chart Wizard .
• Select the item, click Add .
• Go to the Project tab, where a new block will appear.
• To create a graph, click on the Gantt Chart Wizard button and follow the prompts.

Here is a video tutorial for more details.

This method involves inserting a Gantt chart from Excel into PowerPoint. The most difficult part is to create the table with information in Excel. I am not a fan of Excel and it may take some people a lot of time. I prefer PowerPoint Gantt chart templates . But, if you have plenty of time, here is a video tutorial on how to create a Gantt chart in Excel .

• In empty columns write the headings: Task, Start Date, End Date, and Duration.
• Select the column Start Date along with the heading and other information.
• Click on the Insert tab, go to the Charts module, and select Bar.
• For better visualization, we will use 3-D Stacked Bar .
• After that, next to the table, a block with a histogram will be displayed.
• Select the resulting chart, go to the “Home” tab and select the “Copy” item.
• Open PowerPoint, select Paste and Keep Source Formatting .

This method is convenient in that it allows you to insert both a table and its chart inextricably.

Office Timeline is a PowerPoint add-on that helps you quickly and beautifully draw timelines and Gantt charts. This PowerPoint Gantt chart plugin comes in both free and pro editions. Typically, creating a timeline is one of the most time-consuming processes in presentation design, and Office Timeline will help speed up. According to the developers, their product allows you to create timelines of varying complexity. As for the Gantt chart, they promise that you can handle this within just a couple of minutes. They offer nine timeline templates for PowerPoint at the moment.

The scale created in PowerPoint can be transferred to another office program such as Word.

Smartsheet is a premium tool for managing collaboration. You can use project templates and recurring tasks. There is integration with office applications from Microsoft, Google, and others.

It is suitable for large companies with large-scale projects and freelancers who are ready to join other people's projects.

Creating a project is similar to creating a list of tasks in tables. You can import tables from your documents. The Gantt chart is built by clicking on the corresponding icon in the Views section . They also provide video instructions.

• Color. It’s best to select matching but distinct colors for the chart. The standard requirements for a stylistic image are applicable here. The colors should not be acid-bright shades, or difficult to read. Have a look at some ready Gantt chart templates for PowerPoint for inspiration.
• Animation. I wouldn't recommend applying animation effects to charts. This can distort them both in the process of playing the effect, and at the end of it. In other professional presentations, you can often see various graphs that appear animatedly and demonstrate their performance. Most often these are media files with automatic scrolling created separately in GIF or video format; they are not diagrams as such.
• Weight. Charts also add weight to the presentation. So, if there are regulations or restrictions, it’s best not to make too many timeline charts.

Collection of Free Gantt Chart template Powerpoint

The free Gantt chart template is a better way to communicate your project. Since they were invented, Gantt charts have been complicated, complex, and difficult for non-project audiences to read. So, when your boss wants to receive a great report in a presentation form in a short time, the free Gantt chart template helps you save time. Download a free template, insert it into your PowerPoint presentation, edit the information, and it's ready to go.

2 Weeks Simple Gantt Chart for PowerPoint

Gantt Chart for PowerPoint and Google Slides

Corporate Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart for PowerPoint

Gantt PowerPoint Template

Free Gantt chart templates are great ideas, but it's not always a quality choice. They are usually created by project management applications for Microsoft Excel. Such templates can be complicated and uninteresting for non-project target groups. They are also difficult to adapt to your style of presentations and cannot be easily edited.

The non-project audience expects an overview of the project and no complicated Gantt diagram. The premium templates allow you to create a Gantt chart in PowerPoint easily. They can be easily presented or included in the project documentation. As I already mentioned, it's a native PowerPoint Gantt chart template. You can edit, share, or reuse the slide for your communications, scorecards, and presentations.

Each of the presented templates has a description and screenshot , as well as demonstration slides .

The demonstration slides show thematic or abstract images with texts, diagrams, and infographics. Thus, I present you with a comprehensive set of visual tools for a holistic and harmonious disclosure of any topic, object, process, and event .

Main features of premium Gantt chart templates below are:

• Universal design
• Huge variety of slides
• Tons of infographics
• Hundreds of icons
• Various themes
• Free font used
• Easy to customize
• Color schemes
• 16:9 HD Aspect ratio
• Retina-ready
• Fully resizable (vector)

Gantt Charts and Project Calendar PowerPoint Template

Gantt Chart PowerPoint Template

Entorum - Business PowerPoint template with customizable infographics

Business Pack PowerPoint Template

Infographic Pack - Presentation Asset v2.1 PowerPoint Template

Company Report PowerPoint Template

Multipurpose Business Infographic Presentation - PowerPoint Template

Project Timelines and Roadmaps PowerPoint Template

Business Plan PPT - Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

Charts are created to display specific data or indicators. But a purely technical role is assigned to them only in the documentation. In a visual form–in this case, in a presentation–any schedule must also be beautiful and made to standards. It’s important to approach the creative process with the utmost care.

I hope this article was useful to you. Please share it with friends if you liked it.

If you have any questions, ask them in the comments below. Our experts will try to answer as quickly as possible.

FAQ : Gantt Chart template powerpoint

Gantt charts were devised by Karol Adamiecki in 1896. The name comes from its inventor, Henry Gantt, who independently adapted this type of histogram much later in the 1910s.

Gantt charts are useful for presenting scheduling and planning projects. Such timeline charts help you to understand how long a project should take, and plan which tasks you'll complete first. They're also helpful for managing and combining tasks for better time management.

To export the project to a PowerPoint Presentation: - Open the Export tab > select Microsoft PowerPoint. - This opens the Export to Microsoft PowerPoint dialog containing options for exporting.

The most important in Gantt Charts PPT templates are:  - Easy to customize - High-quality design - User-friendly layout–easy to understand, clear representation of time frames

100 Best Business Presentation Templates 2020. Cool! Great! Awesome!

The Magnificent 50 Free PowerPoint Templates

Top 10 Cool PowerPoint Templates 2020

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Julia Green is a TemplateMonster author and technology enthusiast in general. She likes to learn and write about web design and e-commerce. She is also interested in psychology, marketing and everything digital. Julia prioritizes the customer experience from start to finish and likes to present information in such a way that the tone and style correspond to the target group. LinkedIn

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What is a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint and How to Make It?

Unlock the power of Gantt Charts in PowerPoint with our comprehensive exploration and learn how it can easily create impactful project visuals and timelines. Discover the advantages of using Gantt Charts in PowerPoint presentations. Follow a step-by-step guide on crafting Gantt Charts in PowerPoint. Read further to learn more!

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In the fast-paced world of business, managing projects efficiently is key for both large companies and solo entrepreneurs. That’s why many are turning to Gantt Charts in PowerPoint. These handy visuals help steer projects to success and keep customers happy. It’s all about staying on track and shining in the competitive market!

Combining the  with the dynamic capabilities of Gantt Chart in PowerPoint creates a visual Project Management tool. It helps track tasks, timelines and dependencies. 

However, it’s the right time if you and your organisation haven’t already switched to this comprehensive tool. But why are these Charts beneficial in Project Management? Read this blog to learn more about Gantt Charts in PowerPoint. Also, explore their benefits and the process of creating these charts.  

Table of Contents 

1) What is a Gantt Chart?

2) Benefits of using Gantt Charts in PowerPoint 

3) How to make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint? 

4) Integrating Gantt Charts into PowerPoint Presentations 

5) Tips for designing an effective Gantt Chart 

6) Gantt Chart Template in PowerPoint

7) How to import a Gantt Chart from Excel to PowerPoint?  

8) How to import a Gantt Chart from Mac Numbers to PowerPoint?

9) Conclusion 

What is a Gantt Chart?

 Gantt Charts are potent tools for Project Management. They show project timelines and represent tasks with their durations and dependencies graphically. Gantt Charts can be created efficiently in PowerPoint and then projected onto a screen to exhibit a project's schedules and progress in a presentation.  

Begin by dividing the project into individual tasks and positioning these tasks on a timeline. Every task is shown by a bar, and its location and length indicate when the task begins, how long it will take, and when it will finish. Arrows or connectors can be used to illustrate the relationships between functions. 

 To produce a Gantt Chart via PowerPoint, you can use built-in tools or insert a pre-made template. Thus, this method assists in tracking progress, finding bottlenecks, and keeping the stakeholders informed.

Benefits of using Gantt Charts in PowerPoint 

Gantt Charts are powerful Project Management tools and valuable assets in PowerPoint Presentations. Incorporating these charts in your PPT slides offers several benefits that can effectively enhance your ability to communicate project plans, timelines, and progress. Let’s explore the key advantages of using Gantt Charts in PowerPoint:  

Visual representation 

The Gantt Chart is a graphical project schedule representation of tasks and dependencies in projects. Such diagrams serve the dual purpose of making the presentation more exciting and can be used to display even the most complex project data in an easily understandable manner. The chart’s horizontal bars and clear timelines allow your audience to grasp the project’s timeline and structure, making it easier to follow along and comprehend the information.  

Timeline management 

To have successful project executions, timelines must be managed. Gantt Charts in PowerPoint can assist you in determining the project timeline successfully through visualising.  

Through the creation of tasks and their completion durations on a timeline, you can view activities that can overlap, where bottlenecks can possibly exist, and where milestones are going to be critical. That, in turn, enables you to plan wisely, schedule changes, and keep the project on the right track.

Progress tracking 

Progress tracking is another benefit of using Gantt Charts. By frequently putting the chart into practice and adding the actual start and end dates of each job, you can display the progress of each task through visual mediums.  

Having clear milestones throughout the project life cycle allows project members to monitor progress easily and identify any deviations or delays  from the original plan. Tracking progress using the Gantt Chart in PowerPoint assists in the creation of an environment that is transparent, accountable, and timely in decision-making.

Effective communication 

Gantt Charts facilitate effective collaboration and communication among project stakeholders. By presenting project plans, timelines, and dependencies in a clear and organised manner, you enable your audience to understand the project's scope and objectives.  

This understanding promotes team cooperation, as team members can distribute their efforts, identify interdependencies, and coordinate tasks more efficiently. Gantt Charts also act as a common reference point during meetings, discussions, and presentations, thereby ensuring that everyone stays on the same page.

Presentation impact 

PowerPoint presentations are meant to engage and captivate the audience. By incorporating Gantt Charts into your slides, you can make your presentations more dynamic and visually appealing. 

Further, the chart's colourful bars, milestones, and dependencies create a stimulating experience for your audience, making it easier for them to absorb and retain information. The visual impact of Gantt Charts in PowerPoint helps you deliver a memorable presentation that leaves a lasting impression. 

Using Gantt Charts in PowerPoint benefits your Project Management and presentation efforts. By leveraging the power of Gantt Charts in PowerPoint, you can effectively convey project plans, engage your audience, and achieve project success.  

Learn how to create easy-to-read maps and route directions with our Microsoft Visio Masterclass . 

How to make a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint? 

Creating a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint allows you to visually represent project timelines, tasks, and dependencies. Following these step-by-step instructions can create an impactful Gantt Chart that enhances your presentations. Let’s dive into the process of how to create a Gantt Chart in PowerPoint:

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and create a new slide  

Step one includes performing the following: 

a) Launch PowerPoint 

b) Open a new or existing presentation 

Step 2: Insert a Table  

Step two involves inserting the table into your presentation. You will be required to do the following:   

a) In the new slide, go to the "Insert" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon 

b) Click on the "Table" button 

Step 3: Customise the table  

In step three, you will need to do the following:  

b) Adjust the column widths to accommodate your project timeline 

You can also format the table by changing the font, cell borders, and background colours to match your presentation's style. The table will look like the following image: 

Step 4: Add task names  

Step 5: Define the timeline  

Step 6: Add task bars  

Step 7: Include milestones  

Step 8: Define dependencies  

Step 9: Customise the Gantt Chart  

Step 10: Update and maintain the Gantt Chart  

As your project progresses, update the Gantt Chart with the tasks' actual start and end dates. It will help you track the project’s progress and make  necessary adjustments. Regularly maintain the Gantt Chart to keep it up-to-date and accurate.  

You can create aappealing and informative Gantt Chart in PowerPoint following these ten steps. Remember to save your presentation to maintainthe Gantt Chart and ensure it is readily accessible for future use.  

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Integrating Gantt Charts into PowerPoint Presentations  

Integrating Gantt Charts into PowerPoint presentations allows you to effectively communicate project plans, timelines, and progress to your audience. Here are some essential tips for seamlessly integrating Gantt Charts into your PowerPoint Presentations: 

Slide placement  

Decide where you want to place your Gantt Chart within your presentation. Consider the flow and narrative of your presentation and determine the most appropriate point to introduce the chart. Ideally, it should align with the topic or section that discusses project planning, timelines, or progress. 

Chart size and position  

Resize and position the Gantt Chart on the slide to ensure optimal visibility. Ensure the chart is large enough for the audience to read and understand. 

Note: It should be manageable enough to overwhelm the rest of the slide content. Position the chart prominently to draw attention and ensure it is easily visible to all viewers. 

Contextual text  

Accompany your Gantt Chart with relevant text, captions, or explanations. Introduce the chart, explaining its purpose and highlighting key elements. Use concise and clear language to ensure your audience understands the chart’s context and how to interpret it. 

Animation and interactivity  

Add animation effects to your Gantt Chart to enhance its visual appeal and engage your audience. You can reveal the chart gradually, element by element, to create a sense of anticipation and keep the audience focused.  Additionally, consider using hyperlinks or interactive features to allow viewers to explore the chart in more detail or access additional project-related information.  

Consistent design  

Maintain consistency in design throughout your presentation. Ensure that the colours, fonts, and overall style of the Gantt Chart align with the rest of your slides. Consistency helps create a cohesive and professional-looking presentation that is easy to comprehend and visually appealing. 

Real-time updates  

Consider integrating real-time updates into your Gantt Chart if your project is ongoing. This can be done by linking your chart to project management software or spreadsheets. With real-time updates, you can dynamically reflect changes in task progress, timelines, or dependencies, providing your audience with the most up-to-date information during the presentation. 

Proper documentation  

Provide proper documentation for your Gantt Chart. Include a reference slide or handout that explains the symbols, colours, or other elements used in the chart. This documentation is a helpful resource for your audience, enabling them to understand the chart even after the presentation. 

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Tips for designing an effective Gantt Chart  

1) Keep it simple and clear  

Simplicity is key when designing a Gantt Chart. Avoid cluttering the chart with excessive details or overwhelming visuals. Focus on the essential elements, such as tasks, durations, and dependencies. Keep the layout clean and organised, allowing your audience to grasp the project timeline quickly at a glance.  

2) Use colours and icons for visual clarity 

Utilise colours and icons to enhance the visual clarity of your Gantt Chart. Assign different colours to tasks or task groups to differentiate them visually. 

Use icons or symbols to represent milestones, deadlines, or significant events within the project. This helps draw attention to critical elements and makes the chart more visually appealing and engaging. 

3) Highlight important milestones 

 Identify and highlight significant milestones within your Gantt Chart. Milestones represent key achievements, project deadlines, or major events. 

By visually distinguishing these milestones, you highlight crucial points in the project timeline. This helps your audience understand the progress and importance of specific tasks or events. 

4) Show task progress 

Illustrate the progress of tasks in your Gantt Chart. Use shading, patterns, or colour fill to indicate the completion status of each task. 

This visual representation allows your audience to assess progress and identify potential delays or bottlenecks quickly. Clearly distinguish between completed, ongoing, and upcoming tasks for better comprehension. 

5) Use animation for dynamic presentations 

Consider adding animation effects to your Gantt Chart when presenting it in PowerPoint or other platforms. Animation can bring the chart to life, revealing different elements gradually or highlighting specific sections. This dynamic presentation style engages your audience and helps convey complex information more effectively. 

Gantt Chart template in PowerPoint

Developing a PowerPoint Gantt diagram template will allow the display of the timeline and the tasks undertaken.

a) Slide layout: Create a blank slide or the right one for you.

b) Insert shapes: Use rectangular shapes to show tasks and milestones. Place these points one after another on the timeline.

c) Add text: Create a card for each action and write its name and duration on it. Additionally, you can point out crucial details, including specific dates.

d) Timeline bar: Draw the horizontal lines with the task fulfilment time. The lines should be extended to represent the time allotted for specific tasks.

e) Dependencies: Use arrows or lines to capture task dependencies. Connect shapes to convey the sequence of operations.  

f) Colour coding: Use colours to indicate the type of work or tasks and categories. This ensures effective communication and high readability.

g) Legend: Embed a key that explains the correlation of colours and symbols to the Gantt chart.

h) Title and labels: Insert a Gantt Chart slide title and create representations of timelines, tasks, and milestones.  

i) Customisation: You can achieve better results by personalising the design elements, fonts, and colours to match the presentation theme and the respective branding.

j) Testing and review: Glance through the Gantt Chart template for any errors and finalise the presentation after it is clear.

How to import a Gantt Chart from Excel to PowerPoint?  

Being able to include an already prepared Gantt Chart from Excel in your PowerPoint presentation, you may avoid long hours of topically working on timelines and project updates while visualising the information. Here's how to do it:  

a) Create Gantt Chart in Excel: Assign the Excel Program as the tool of creating your Gantt chart with the activities, starting dates, duration and interdependence.

b) Select Gantt Chart: In Excel, pick all the areas that lie within the Gantt, including task names, dates, and the bars that show the time range.  

c) Copy Gantt Chart: Make a right mouse click on the chosen spot and click on " Copy " or press Ctrl+C on your keyboard to do that.

d) Open PowerPoint:  Since you can use the Gantt chart in the PowerPoint presentation, open it where you want to insert it.

e) Paste as picture: Within PowerPoint, navigate to the slide needed for the Gantt Chart. Click and select the "Paste Special" option. Select the "Picture (Enhanced Metafile)" and click "OK."

f) Adjust size and position: Carry out a proportionate and placing adjustment of the pasted plan scheme picture on the slide as required for your layout.

g) Add labels and titles: Click here to label the bullet points and sets of sentences on the slide. This will help improve the clarity and context of the slides' content.

h) Update Gantt Chart: If you are going to come up with the changes in the Gantt Chart in Excel, make sure that you copy-paste them again in PowerPoint to make them into the latest version.  

i) Review and finalise: First, look at the Gantt Chart on the slide to ensure it is clear enough and accurately depicts the project schedule, then present it.

j) Save presentation:   Save your PowerPoint presentation so you can access the Gantt Chart when needed.    

How to import a Gantt Chart from Google Sheets to PowerPoint?

Importing a Gantt Chart from Google Sheets to PowerPoint proceedings lets you effortlessly share project timelines in presentations.  Here's how you do it: 

a) Create Gantt Chart in Google Sheets: You can use Google Sheets to create your Gantt chart and insert tasks, start dates, durations and their dependencies.

b) Select Gantt Chart area: Choose the whole Gantt Chart layout encompassing task headers, dates, and stages that represent the task's timeline in Google Sheets.

c) Copy Gantt Chart: "Copy" this area or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+C" by right-clicking on the place you selected.

d) Paste special in PowerPoint: Fix the PowerPoint slide on which you will place a Gantt Chart. Right-click the slides and choose "Paste Special". Select "Picture (Enhanced Metafile)", then "OK".  

e) Adjust size and position: After you have pasted the Gantt Chart graph picture on the slide, adjust the size and place it in the position that will suit your layout.

f) Add labels and titles: Clarify your PowerPoint slide by inserting labels, titles, or any supplementary data that will make it clearer. 

g) Update Gantt Chart: If you make changes to the chart in Google Sheets, you must repeat the copy-paste process in PowerPoint to update it. 

h) Review and finalise: Before presenting it, check the PowerPoint slide to ensure that the Gantt chart clearly portrays the project delivery timeframe as indicated.

i) Save presentation: For future reference, keep the imported PowerPoint presentation.

j) Considerations: Make sure Google Sheets and PowerPoint are correct and suited to the importation without the formatting problems.

How to import a Gantt Chart from Mac numbers to PowerPoint?

A Gantt Chart can be transferred from Mac Numbers to PowerPoint, the most effective method of relaying project timelines in speeches. Here's how to do it:

a) Create Gantt Chart in Mac Numbers: Use Mac Numbers to create a Gantt Chart for your work, with tasks, start dates, times, and relationships displayed clearly.  

b) Select Gantt Chart area: Choose a whole area in Mac Numbers, from task names to due dates and the corresponding timelines of blue and red bars. 

c) Copy Gantt Chart:  Hold down the right mouse button and select "Copy" from the context menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Command+C.

d) Paste special in PowerPoint: Take your PowerPoint where you are supposed to place the Gantt Chart you want to insert. Click the slide's right-hand side and then go to Pasting Special. Choose Picture (Enhanced metafile), then click OK.  

e) Adjust size and position: Move and organise the already pasted Gantt Chart picture on the slide and adjust its structure to match yours. 

f) Add labels and titles: Seek clarity and support the audience by adding captions, titles, and other information on the PowerPoint slide.

g) Update Gantt Chart: If you change the Gantt Chart in the Mac Numbers app, repeat the copy-and-paste process in PowerPoint to update the chart. 

h) Review and finalise: Make sure that the Gantt Chart legibly represents the project timeline and does not contain any timing discrepancies before showing it during your PowerPoint presentation by double-checking your slide.

i) Compatibility check:  Make sure Mac Numbers and PowerPoint are aligned to prevent any shape issues when importing documents.  

Conclusion 

 By understanding how to insertGantt Charts in PowerPoint and leveraging its capabilities, you can elevate your Project Management efforts and deliver compelling presentations that engage your audience and convey information effectively. By integrating Gantt Charts seamlessly into PowerPoint presentations, presenters can enhance the visual appeal and impact of their slides. 

Learn how to create customised slide shows in MS PowerPoint with our Microsoft PowerPoint MO300 Training . 

Frequently Asked Questions

To create a timeline chart in PowerPoint, use the SmartArt feature: 

a) Open PowerPoint and go to the slide where you need a timeline. 

b) Click on the "Insert" tab and "SmartArt" to access the SmartArt feature. 

c) Choose the "Process" category from the available templates and select which timeline you want to apply. Tap your timeline to open and personalise it according to your choice.  

Office 365 incorporates Gantt Chart functionality through various software, including Project Management tools like Microsoft Project and data chart tools like Excel.   

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The Knowledge Academy offers various Microsoft 365 Training , Microsoft PowerPoint MO300 Training, Microsoft 365 Administrator Training MS102, Managing Microsoft Teams MS700 Course. These courses cater to different skill levels, providing comprehensive insights into Gantt Chart methodologies .  

Our Microsoft Technical Blogs covers of topics related to the Gantt Charts, offering valuable resources, best practices, and industry insights. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your Microsoft Technical skills, The Knowledge Academy's diverse courses and informative blogs have you covered.     

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Gantt Chart Presentation Templates

Streamline your project presentations with our free gantt chart powerpoint templates and google slides. boasting exceptional design and loaded with powerful features, our templates are a project manager's best companion. now, presenting complex timelines, tasks, and dependencies becomes an effortless task with the power of our gantt charts infographics..

• Crystal Clear Visuals: Tasks, milestones, dependencies – everything gets laid out in an easy-to-understand format. The visual layout helps teams to grasp project flow seamlessly.
• Maximized Resource Utilization: It brings to light concurrent tasks and dependencies, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and bottlenecks are minimized.
• Real-time Progress Monitoring: It offers a dynamic overview of the project, highlighting completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, and potential delays.
• Versatility: Our slides cater to varied project needs – be it simple or complex timelines, weekly or yearly schedules, or even business-specific Gantt charts.
• Diverse Tools for Comprehensive Overviews: Our range isn’t limited to Gantt charts alone. Incorporate timeline charts for sequential tracking, dashboards for a bird's-eye view, and much more.

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How To Make A Gantt Chart In PowerPoint

We're here to help you, what is a gantt chart.

A Gantt chart is a popular tool for displaying a project schedule graphically. It is a style of bar chart that shows a project's beginning and ending dates.

What are Gantt Chart Presentation templates?

Gantt chart templates provide a simple way to list your project's tasks, chart each task's time, allocate tasks to team members, and keep track of important milestones.

Where can we use these Gantt Chart Slides?

Presentations on project planning and management use these Gantt Chart templates. They assist you in estimating the length of a project, identifying the resources required, and organizing the sequence in which you will perform activities. They are also helpful in controlling task dependencies.

How can I make Gantt Chart Slides in a presentation?

The steps below can be used to create a Gantt chart in a Powerpoint presentation. Step 1: Launch PowerPoint and click the Home tab. Step 2: Select "Insert > Chart > From Sheets." Step 3: You can copy the desired Gantt chart and paste it into your PPT slide Visit our tips and tricks page to create a successful slideshow if you still need help creating your slides.

Who can use these Gantt Chart PPT Templates?

Business heads, investors, teammates, managers, and stakeholders can use these slides to project transparency.

Why do we need to use Gantt Chart slides?

These slides give managers and employees a high-level overview of the project tasks and an estimated completion date. The chart lets you keep track of the project's development by illustrating how jobs link to one another.

Where can I find Gantt Chart Templates free of cost?

Don't worry; free templates are simple to find. We are available to help you as a result! Slide Egg is among the top websites for finding free presentations. Go right now!

Gantt Charts PowerPoint Templates

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A great collection of Gantt Chart templates for PowerPoint. You can use these to create timelines, organize tasks and to-dos, outline project schedules and chart its progress. Save time with this pack that allows easy addition and updation of data as project schedules change. An amazing set of graphical tools every professional would love to own.

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Gantt Chart for PowerPoint

Business , Calendar , Chronologic , Gantt , Planning , Progression , Project Management , Table , Timeline , Workflow

Free Gantt chart for PowerPoint. Easy to customize.

Gantt Chart

Use this diagram for your project management, planning, tracking, and timesheets. Track your activities (tasks or events) and progress.

Uses the PowerPoint table function: colors and sizes can be easily changed and customized. New tasks -i.e. new rows- can be added or deleted.

Includes 2 slide option designs: Standard (4:3) and Widescreen (16:9).

Widescreen (16:9) size preview:

This ‘Gantt Chart for PowerPoint’ features:

• 2 unique slides
• Light and Dark layout
• Ready to use template with text placeholder
• Uses the PowerPoint table function
• Standard (4:3) and Widescreen (16:9) aspect ratios

Free fonts used:

• Helvetica (System Font)
• Calibri (System Font)

Terms of use:

Requires attribution, personal and educational use, commercial use, (re)sell, (re)distribute, read the full  terms of use.

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How to Make a Timeline in PowerPoint (Template Included)

Timelines allow organizations to estimate how long it will take to execute a project, no matter what industry they’re in. This is done by identifying all the tasks that will be executed, estimating their duration and then determining their start and end dates.

Besides tracking time and scheduling tasks, project timelines also allow project managers to know exactly when resources such as labor, materials and equipment will be needed, which is important for completing projects on time and estimating costs accurately.

Because of their importance for project planning, there’s a large number of free and paid software tools that can help make project timelines. In this blog, we’ll explain how to create a timeline in PowerPoint.

Why Make a Timeline in PowerPoint?

One of the main advantages of using PowerPoint to make a project timeline is that most people are familiar with this software and it can be easier to use than other Microsoft products such as Word, Excel or Project.

Along the same lines, PowerPoint is available in most organizations which makes it a cost-effective alternative to project management software. This also makes it a file format that’s easy to understand for external project stakeholders such as clients.

Unfortunately, PowerPoint wasn’t designed for project management and lacks the project planning, scheduling and monitoring features that specialized software such as ProjectManager can offer. ProjectManager offers multiple tools for making and monitoring project timelines, including Gantt charts, kanban boards, real-time data project dashboards and much more. Get started with ProjectManager for free today.

While PowerPoint may not be the software organizations need for managing projects, it’s still ideal for making simple timelines for project management presentations. As the team is likely already familiar with PowerPoint, it can be a positive solution for those who aren’t ready to upgrade to more powerful and dynamic software.

PowerPoint Timeline Template

This free PowerPoint timeline template is ideal for explaining to project team members their tasks, their expected duration, and the due dates for their completion during a project management presentation such as a kickoff meeting or a project status meeting.

How to Make a Timeline in PowerPoint in 3 Steps

Let’s now review the step-by-step process of creating a timeline in PowerPoint. If you don’t want to make a timeline from scratch, you can instead download our free PowerPoint timeline template from our project management templates library. We’ve broken the template into sections for each employee and their tasks, all on an easy-to-read timeline.

Get your free

Use this free PowerPoint Timeline Template to manage your projects better.

1. Define the Time Frame the Project Timeline Will Cover

Timelines may span across multiple timeframes, such as a month, a year, or even longer. Usually, businesses and nonprofit organizations employ yearly timelines divided into quarters as this is the preferred timeframe for business planning and reporting. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll make a monthly timeline to spread the workload of a small project team . To get started choose a blank page layout, which will facilitate the next steps.

When the table appears, select all the columns in the top row, right-click them and then select “Merge Cells.” This will combine all these cells and this merged cell will work as the heading for the timeline. For this example, we’ll enter the name of the month and year. Then enumerate the bottom row cells to show the day of the month.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, the timeline should look like this.

2. List Team Members and The Tasks They’re Assigned to Complete

Now, repeat the process of inserting a table, but this time it will be a two-column table. The cell in the top left corner will be used to identify the team member who will be completing project tasks , and the rows under it will be used to list the activities they’re responsible for. Then the size of the column to the right needs to be adjusted as shown below.

For these two task list tables, we used two columns and five rows, but you might add more rows depending on your team’s workload .

3. Add Project Tasks to the PowerPoint Timeline

Now it’s time to add bars to represent project tasks, their start and end dates and durations. To do so, simply choose a shape from the top menu. In this case, we’ll use a rectangle with rounded corners, as this shape is typically used in Gantt charts , the most commonly used project scheduling tool. Then start adding these shapes to show the tasks that each of your team members will complete as shown below.

Congratulations, you’ve just created a PowerPoint timeline template your organization can use to plan its projects and analyze workload .

However, as stated above, PowerPoint can help make a basic timeline but doesn’t offer the planning, scheduling and tracking features needed to manage tasks, processes or projects. If you’re looking for project management software to help create detailed timelines, try ProjectManager instead.

ProjectManager’s Gantt Chart Is Better Than a PowerPoint Timeline

ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that’s designed to manage projects from start to end. This involves making timelines, assigning tasks to team members, tracking the cost of resources and helping project managers monitor how resources are being allocated. Let’s review some of its key project planning and scheduling features.

Make Interactive Project Timelines with Multiple Tools

ProjectManager’s online Gantt chart maker is ideal for making project timelines that show much more than just the due dates and duration of tasks. With this robust project scheduling tool, project managers can link task dependencies, identify the critical path, allocate resources and compare cost estimates against actual project costs. Best of all, it allows users to create their own columns to track unique variables about project tasks.

Then once a project timeline has been created using the Gantt chart, the tasks that make it up can be managed using other tools such as kanban boards , project calendars, and task lists. These allow project managers and team members to visualize the project timeline from different perspectives and manage work with their favorite tool.

Track Project Timelines with Real-Time Data

After making a timeline it’s important to have tools to track the progress of the team that will execute the work to ensure the project will be completed within the planned time frame. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart syncs with project management dashboards that show the percentage of completion of tasks, resource utilization and cost tracking information, which helps project managers check whether their teams are on track to meet the project on time and under budget. There are also a variety of real-time data reports that can be generated in minutes.

Balance Your Team’s Workload and Track Costs

ProjectManager offers a workload management chart to visualize how tasks are being allocated among team members, which is very helpful when making a timeline. With this tool they can determine who is over or underallocated, so they can distribute work evenly. This helps make a realistic timeline. Additionally, ProjectManager’s timesheets automatically log the work hours of employees based on the tasks they’re assigned to in the Gantt chart and other project planning tools.

Related Content

We’ve created dozens of blogs, templates and guides to help project managers master the art of making project timelines. Here are a few of them.

• Project Timeline Software – Create a Project Timeline Online
• Project Timeline Maker: How to Make a Project Timeline Online
• Project Timeline: The Ultimate Guide (with Examples)
• Free Excel Timeline Template
• How to Create a Timeline in Excel (Free Templates Included)
• Free Google Sheets Timeline Template: Create Plans Online

ProjectManager is robust project management software equipped with multiple project management views to help you manage every aspect of your project. Choose between Gantt charts, kanban boards, project dashboards and other award-winning project management tools. Get started for free today.

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20 Best Update & Project Status Report Templates for PPT (2024)

Working on a big project can be stressful if you've got no idea of how it’s progressing. It’s easy to keep everyone on the same page and updated. Present the status of your project with a project status report PPT format.

Creating a project status report for PPT may sound difficult and time-consuming. But you don’t have to start from scratch. You can find hundreds of modern and easy-to-edit project status report templates online. I'll share some of the best project status report templates for PowerPoint .

Jump to content in this section:

Top 20 Project Status Report Templates for PPT From Envato Elements

How to quickly customize a premium project status template, 8 tips for creating a project status report, top 5 project status report design trends, common powerpoint questions answered (faq).

Take a look at some of the best project status report templates for PPT, all available on Envato Elements:

1. Imfea: Project Status Report Template for PowerPoint  

Looking for a professional and creative project status template for PowerPoint? This template will come in handy. The PowerPoint report template offers:

• 60 unique status update slides
• two color variations
• widescreen resolution
• image placeholders

This project progress report PPT also comes with custom icons and image placeholders.

2. Project Status Report PowerPoint Template  

This project status report template for PowerPoint has a modern design. It’s perfect for a project progress report PPT. The PowerPoint report template comes with many different slides to help you include relevant project details. It offers:

• five color variations for your project update slides
• download link to 800 vector icons

Start working with this project status update presentation PPT! 

3. Project Status Report Template (PPT)  

Project Status is a simple project status report for PPT. It comes with:

• 40 editable project status slides
• 10 color variations
• retina-ready format
• easy editing options

Designed in widescreen resolution to present a perfect project status report PPT, it also comes with custom icons and image placeholders. Likewise, this project status update template for PPT includes plenty of tables, charts, and other infographic elements. Use them to design a beautiful report.

4. Project Status PowerPoint Template  

Choose this project status update template for PPT. It's great if you’re looking for a bold and professional template. You’ll find:

• 20 unique status update slides
• based on master slides

The status report template PPT comes with icons, tables, and charts, plus plenty of infographic elements. 

5. A4 Vertical Project Status Report PowerPoint Template

Stand out with this vertical project status PowerPoint template. It includes many different project update slides. You'll find slides for an agenda, yearly Gantt chart, and task timeline. The template includes:

• five color variations
• 800 custom icons
• various infographic elements

6. Project Review PowerPoint Template

Wondering how to present your project status in PowerPoint? This template comes with modern and minimalist slide designs to make it easy to see the project status. It was designed in standard and widescreen resolutions. With this project update PowerPoint template, you'll get:

• 31 PowerPoint project status slides
• resizable graphics
• free web fonts 
• picture placeholders
• 16:9 widescreen ratio

7. Project Plan: A4 Vertical PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint report template has a versatile and modern design. Use the template to create status report updates for any type of project. This vertical template comes with:

• dark and white versions
• vector icons

Also, these project status presentation slides are suitable for print. Start working with this original project report PPT template! 

8. Retail Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Try this PowerPoint report template if you're in the retail business. Find versatility in your project report design with this template. It comes with modern and professional designs, and it also includes:

• plenty of slide designs to add your content, including a status update slide
• 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio 
• blue, green, orange, salmon, and lavender color themes
• user guide PDF

9. Animated Project Update PowerPoint Template

Looking for an animated project update PowerPoint template? This marketing project status PowerPoint template has everything you need. Create a detailed project status report with awesome infographics. The template comes with:

• 100 unique project update slide designs
• five pre-made color themes
• 3,000+ icon pack
• fully and easily editable

It's perfect for a complete project status report in PowerPoint.

10. Radit Business PowerPoint Template

Here’s a modern PowerPoint template for project status reports. The project status report PPT includes:

• 39 unique project status slides
• 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
• all graphics are resizable and editable
• documentation file

It also features a stunning design. Still thinking about how to present project progress in PowerPoint? This project status update PPT template is a great way to start.

11. Project Strategy PowerPoint Template

Looking for a more unique project status report in PPT? This PowerPoint report template comes with:

• unique and dark project status slides
• three color themes
• infographic elements

It's a great tool for project managers looking for work efficiency. This also works as a project update presentation sample. 

12. Brila Business PowerPoint Template

Create an original project progress presentation PPT with Brila. This project PowerPoint report template has a creative and colorful design and was designed in widescreen resolution. With this download, you'll get:

• all resizable graphics
• used and recommended free web fonts

Download this easy-to-edit project update presentation.

13. Company Profile PowerPoint Template

Wondering how to present project status in PowerPoint? This project status template also works as a company profile. It's easy to customize and edit. It comes with:

• five color themes (blue, red, green, orange, and grey)
• infographic elements, charts, and tables
• 800 vector icon set

Add your content to this project status update PPT. Insert your own photos in the image placeholders. 

14. Annual Report PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint report template can easily be used for a project status report in PPT. The project status report PowerPoint has a professional design. It includes:

• different project update slides
• widescreen format
• six color themes
• plenty of infographic elements

Still wondering how to present a project status in PowerPoint? This template is a great place to start.

15. Movea Project Status Report PowerPoint Template

Here’s another great project status PowerPoint template. Create a beautiful status update slide with this template, which comes with editable icons. Also, find image placeholders with this project update template PPT. With your download, you'll get:

• 100 presentation slides in total
• 50 unique and editable presentation slide designs
• two options of color theme variations
• 16:9 HD widescreen slide format (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• image placeholders with slide master

Looking for a sample project report PPT? Start working with this amazing status update presentation. 

16. Rima Business PowerPoint Template

This cool and modern PowerPoint template has all you need. Rima has enough project status presentation slides PPT for you to play. Create a stunning project report with this template. It comes with:

• 39 unique project update slides
• resizable and editable graphics
• free web fonts

The PowerPoint report template also has image placeholders. This is one of the best project status reports in PowerPoint you'll find. 

17. Project Status Report PowerPoint Template

Looking for a project update presentation sample? Here’s another complete project status report PowerPoint template. Use it to create great-looking project reports. The PowerPoint report template comes with:

• 30 unique slides
• light and dark versions
• easy customization options

Wondering how to present a project status in PowerPoint? This template includes charts and infographics to make it happen.

18. Web Design Project Status PowerPoint Template

Are you a web designer working for different clients? Learn how to present your project progress in PowerPoint with this awesome template. Here are some of its features:

• 5 PPTX files
• 5 pre-made color themes

This modern project status template for PPT also works for any type of presentation. It has everything you need for detailed project reports. 

19. Proposal Project Update PowerPoint Template

This is a beautiful project status update PPT PowerPoint template. Use it for different project status reports. It comes with:

• 30 slides for a complete project progress presentation PPT
• widescreen slide format
• fully editable elements

The status update slide comes with image placeholders. This is a great project status update template for PPT.  

20. Holi Project Status Template for PPT

Last but not least! Create an amazing project status report PPT with this template. Holi is a simple PowerPoint template with a clean and bold design. It includes:

• 39 unique project status update slides
• drag-and-drop image placeholders
• custom icons

Design a stunning project status report. This is one of the best project status update templates for PPT.

Found your project status report template for PPT? Now you’ll need to customize it to fit your project details. Take a look at how easy it is. Customize a premium project status report template below. 

For this tutorial, I’ll be using Movea: Project Status Report PowerPoint Template. Find it on Envato Elements. This template has a modern and clean design. It comes with 50 editable project status update slides in two color variations. 

Let's get started:

1. Choose Your Slides

To delete unwanted slides, click on the View tab and select Slide Sorter . Then, hold down the Shift key and click on each slide you don’t want to keep. After you've selected all the unnecessary slides, right-click and select Delete slide . Then, switch back to Normal view . 

2. Add Your Content

Add your own content. Double-click on any text area and press Control-A or Command-A to select all the text. Then, paste your own content or type it in. 

3. Customize Fonts

As you’re entering the content, it’s easy to update your fonts at the same time. While the text is highlighted, select a different font from the drop-down menu on the Home tab of the ribbon. 

4. Customize Colors

To change the colors, click on the Design tab and select a different color theme. Or right-click on any colored area and select Format shape . Then, click on Fill > Solid Fill and enter your own color code. 

5. Add Your Own Images 

The last step is to add your own images or photos. Most PowerPoint project status report templates come with image placeholders. It’s easy to do. Click on an image placeholder icon, choose an image from your computer, and click Insert .

Add the necessary project status update slides to your PowerPoint report template. Here are some tips that can help you work with a project report template:  

1. Use Gantt Charts

Gantt charts are an excellent way to illustrate a project schedule in the form of a bar chart. This type of chart is a staple for any project status report. 

2. Talk About Solutions 

Even when these details were laid out before the project was started, talk about how your project is solving problems. This helps connect your audience with the problem and solution again. 

3. Break Your Project Down

Project status reports are about breaking down the components of your project, so turn them into digestible pieces. Consider one slide that contains a road map, section breakdown, or project phases. 

4. Add an Expenses Page

The road map to achieving a particular goal is important, and so is including your expenses. This expense slide can be a simple list of all the expenses that you've accrued.

5. Add Milestones

On a project status report, include all the milestones that you've reached. Add any future milestones that you plan to reach with your project. This is essential for your audience to know what you've done and what you plan to do. 

6. Add a Summary Slide

Be it at the beginning or the end of your presentation, it's a good idea to add a summary slide. This can be where you highlight the essential topic you'll touch on or give a reminder of what you just mentioned. Either way, it can help your audience keep their attention on crucial aspects of your presentation.

7. Provide Helpful Links

A great PowerPoint presentation shares the key points of a specific subject. However, sometimes, project status reports require more information and data. To that end, it's helpful to include links to resources that can help your audience seek more information if they need it. Here's one example of how to do it:

8. Highlight Next Steps

Last but not least, highlight next steps. Knowing the basis of where the project is at is incredibly helpful. However, it's just as (or even more) important to let your audience know what actions you'll be taking to keep the project progressing. Don't forget to highlight the course of action so everyone can be on the same page.

Deliver the most up-to-date designs to your audience in your project status reports. We've collected five of the top design trends in 2024. Use them in your own PowerPoints:

1. Include Multi-Colored Charts

Make the charts more interesting. Use many complementary colors to highlight lines, bars, and tables. Blue, green, and red colors work exceptionally well here. 

2. Add Dimension

Make your design seem more interesting and appear to pop out of the slides. Layer your elements on top of each other. This gives a sense of dimension in your slides that looks visually pleasing. Add solid shapes on your slides as this is one standard design that always looks great.

3. Use Highlight Colors

This can really help give a hierarchy to your slide design. This color can be a highlight color that's used for on the various shapes on your slides. Draw attention to a particular section on the slide, and display the most important information on that slide. 

For more color combinations that work well together, check out this article:

4. Include Various Types of Charts

Get creative with the different types of graphs in project status reports. Use them to highlight specific data for your project in your project status PPT. Pie charts, line graphs, bar charts, timelines, and infographics. All work well in a project status PPT. Only include charts that fit the particular content that you're presenting.

5. Use Icons

Most types of PowerPoint presentations come with icons in their slides. Create a complete project report PPT using icons as visual aids. They also work for a project progress presentation PPT.

Need even more PowerPoint templates? We'll cover even more premium templates that you can download.

Discover More Great PowerPoint Templates

Looking for a different PowerPoint template? Or need more inspiration for your project status report template design? The articles below will be useful:

Microsoft PowerPoint is a complete slideshow application. It's got all the features you could ever want in this type of software. To help you get the most out of PowerPoint for your presentations, we'll cover five frequently asked questions:

1. Can I Print My PowerPoint Presentations?

Absolutely! Need to print out hard copies of your PowerPoint presentations? You can easily do this within the software. But keep in mind that all your animations and videos won't be shown. 

For more information on how you can print your presentations, check out the article below:

2. Can I Customize Templates Easily?

All PowerPoint templates are fully customizable, regardless of what template you use. Templates will help you start with a professional design. Customize every aspect of the design to fit your particular presentation.

Learn how to edit your PowerPoints from the article below:

3. Can You Create Infographics in PowerPoint?

Infographics are a great way to add interest to your presentations, especially in project status reports. They give the viewer something to look at, while providing useful information about your project.

The best way to get started with infographics is with templates. Choose the ones that have them designed and ready to customize. For more templates that feature infographics, check out the article below:

4. How Can I Make My Presentations More Interesting?

PowerPoint presentations can be quite stale, but there are many different ways that you can spice up your slides. Here are some tips to create a captivating presentation:

• declutter your slides
• change up the colors
• use images for interest

Check out this article to find out how you can add interest to your slides:

5. Can I Record a PowerPoint Presentation Via Zoom?

Virtual meetings are a staple for any business in 2024. Don't miss any detail by recording a presentation on Zoom.

To begin a recording of a PowerPoint presentation, move your cursor over the menu bar in Zoom. To record your PowerPoint in Zoom, click Record .

For a more detailed explanation, follow the tutorial below: 

Learn More About Making Great PowerPoint Presentations

Creating great presentations can be tricky. Ready to learn more about making great PowerPoint presentations ? We've got you covered. Check out the tutorials below: 

Where to Find Great Project Status Report Templates

Are you looking for the best project status report templates? Envato Elements should be your first stop. This marketplace offers thousands of top-quality project status report templates for PowerPoint, as well as thousands of design assets.

Explore PowerPoint Status Report Templates

Browse our collection of the best project status report templates for PowerPoint, and find your next favorite presentation template!  

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Daniel Strongin , Janila Castañeda and Dacia Egurrola . Daniel is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Janila is the Associated Editor of the Tuts+ Business channel. Dacia is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+. 

Editable Gantt Chart for PowerPoint

Editable Gantt Chart for PowerPoint is a modern and professional template designed to create Timelines, Roadmaps and Project Plans presentations.

Gantt Charts are extremely popular for Project Management activities; they are an elegant, simple and visually powerful tool for communicating projects activities durations, dependencies and milestones. Gantt Charts are a specialization of bar charts, used to describe schedules. The horizontal Axis measure Time. The Vertical Axis is discrete, where each row is represented by a Bar. Each Bar Represents a Task (or group of tasks). The length of the bar represents its duration. Each tasks has three main properties:

• Task Start Date/Time
• Task End Date/Time
• Task Curation Percentage

When creating a Gantt Chart, Project Managers allocate Resources to each task (people, money, machinery, etc.) and defines precedence of tasks. This exercise is known as Project Planning, and its main inputs are:

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Project Milestones (predefined)

Our Flat Gantt Chart PowerPoint Template provides several versions of Generic Project Plans, for Daily, Weekly or Monthly Plans. Also this work plan template provides a Data Driven Gantt Chart that can be configured through Microsoft Excel data. Each Slide can be fully edited by users, allowing the full customization of colors, shapes sizes, number of Tasks and Schedule Time Frame. Presenters can create professional Roadmaps or Timelines combining each of the shapes and their connectors. For Milestones highlight, the template provides star icons to use as markers.

Impress your audiences with professionally designed Timelines in PowerPoint ideal for Steering meetings, project meetup or project review meetings.

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