Free spreadsheet template · Excel & Google Sheets
Free Gantt Chart Template & Project Planner
A Gantt chart turns a to-do list into a schedule: you see what happens when, who owns it and what is running late.
Screenshots show the full Project Planner & Gantt Chart. The free lite version uses the same layout and formulas, with fewer rows and no charts.
What’s in the free template
This free Gantt chart template is the lite version of our Project Planner & Gantt Chart. Enter tasks with start date, duration and % done; end dates, status and coloured timeline bars calculate automatically.
The download contains these tabs:
- Instructions
- Settings
- Dashboard
- Gantt
Yellow cells are your inputs and blue cells are protected formulas, so nothing breaks while you type. Example data is included so you can see the results immediately — replace it with your own numbers when you are ready.
How to use this gantt chart template
Set the timeline
On Settings, enter the project name, the Gantt start date, finish date and budget, and edit phases and team.
Add tasks
On Gantt, add each task with phase, owner, start date and duration in days.
Watch the bars
Blue bars show planned work, green is done and red is late; the current week is highlighted.
Update progress
Change % done each week.
Review
The Dashboard shows overall progress, late tasks, forecast finish and workload by owner.
Tips for better results
- Use a 1-day task with ◆ for milestones.
- Update % done every Friday.
- Move the Gantt start date to see later weeks.
Opening the file in Excel or Google Sheets
Microsoft Excel: open the downloaded .xlsx file directly — Excel 2010 or later on Windows or Mac works. If you see a “Protected View” bar, click Enable Editing.
Google Sheets: go to Google Drive, choose New → File upload, then open the file and pick File → Save as Google Sheets so you can edit and share it. LibreOffice / Numbers: open the file as normal. No macros, add-ins or internet connection are needed.
Free lite vs full version
The full planner holds 150 tasks and adds a risks & issues log, dashboard charts and a quick-start PDF.
| Feature | Free lite | Full version · $9.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks on the Gantt chart | 12 | 150 |
| Automatic Gantt bars & late alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Progress by phase & owner | ✓ | ✓ |
| Risks & issues log | — | ✓ |
| Charts | — | ✓ |
| Quick-start PDF guide | — | ✓ |
| Price | Free | $9.99 one-time |
Instant download. Secure checkout by Lemon Squeezy. Works in Excel, Google Sheets & LibreOffice.
All 30 products · one download
CalcHub Everything Bundle (All 30 Products)
$18.99 $179.50 one-time · instant download
Every CalcHub product in one download: 18 spreadsheet templates (budget, savings, freelance, bookkeeping, invoice tracker, rental, short-term rental, dividends, wedding, online seller, job search, meal planner, habit tracker, renovation, travel, content calendar, project Gantt, student GPA), 11 printable planners and worksheet packs (incl. a hyperlinked 2027 digital planner, wedding, holiday and kids math), and the resume pack. All future updates included.
Get the bundle — $18.99Frequently asked questions
Does it handle dependencies?
Set a task's start date to the day after the previous task ends; the bars update instantly.
How long can a project be?
The timeline shows 26 weeks from the start date; move the start date for longer projects.
Is it free?
Yes, no sign-up. The lite version holds 12 tasks.