In this article, we will learn how to create a Construction Bar Chart in Excel. The construction Bar Chart is a part of construction management. It is used for the representation of the schedule or activities of a project. You can easily make this chart in Excel. So, without any delay, let’s start the discussion.
What Is Construction Bar Chart?
The Construction Bar Chart is a part of construction management. It is used for the representation of the schedule or activities of a project. It helps the management to track the timeline, records, etc. of any project.
Construction Bar Chart in Excel: Step-by-Step Procedures
We have a dataset of the task schedule of a project. From this dataset, we will show you step-by-step procedures to create a Construction Bar Chart in Excel.
STEP 1: Make Dataset Ready
- For our task, we have taken the following dataset.
- Here, this dataset contains the task schedule of a project.
- In this dataset, column C indicates the Start Date of each task.
- And, column D carries the End Date of each task of the project.
- Firstly, we need to find out the duration of each task.
- To do so, we have to calculate the difference between the End and Start date.
- So, write down the following formula in the E5 cell.
=D5-C5
- After that, click Enter to see the duration of the task.
- Here, the duration of the Proposal task was 10 days.
- Now, drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool in the E6 to E16 range.
- In this way, we can calculate the duration of the remaining tasks.
- As a result, you can observe the task duration of this project.
Read More: How to Make a Simple Bar Graph in Excel
STEP 2: Insert Construction Bar Chart
Now, we will insert a bar chart and then shape the chart in the form of a Construction Bar Chart.
2.1: Insert Bar Chart
- In this step, we will insert the Construction Bar Chart from the dataset.
- Now, select the C4:C16 range.
- After selection, go to the Insert tab.
- In the Charts group of the ribbon, drop down the Insert Column or Bar Chart selection menu.
- Instantly, a wizard will come out and select the Stacked Bar icon under the 2-D Bar field.
- As a result, the bar has been created.
Read More: How to Flip Bar Chart in Excel
2.2: Add Duration to Bar Chart
- In the next step, we will insert other information into the chart.
- To do so, click on the chart and right-click on the mouse.
- Instantly, a dialog box will pop up.
- From the dialog box, click on the Select Data option.
- As a result, the Select Data Source window will come out.
- Under the Legend Entries (Series) field, click on the Add button.
- After clicking the button, the Edit Series named dialog box has come out.
- Then, you have to insert the header and then the data.
- So, in the Series Name field, click on the box and select the E4 cell.
- Similarly, in the Series Values field, select the E5:E16 after clicking in the box.
- Alternatively, we can write the information in the corresponding fields.
- Here, the format is “Sheet Name!Cell”.
- So, in the Series Name field, write =’construction bar chart’!$E$4.
- Similarly, in the Series Values field, write =’construction bar chart’!$E$5:$E$16.
- Here, we have saved our Excel Sheet name as construction bar chart.
- Now, press Enter to proceed.
Read More: How to Create a Bar Chart in Excel with Multiple Bars
2.3: Put Axis Labels in Bar Chart
- In the next step, we will insert the axis levels.
- Under the Horizontal(Category) Axis Labels field, click on the Edit button.
- Instantly, the Axis Labels dialog box will appear.
- In the Axis Label Range field, write =’construction bar chart’!$B$5:$B$16.
- Now, press OK to proceed.
- So, our inserting information is completed.
- Now, click on OK to observe the modified chart.
- In the following chart, you can watch the information on the dataset.
- Here, the starting date and duration of the tasks are shown.
Read More: How to Create a 3D Bar Chart in Excel
2.4: Convert Bar Chart into Construction Bar Chart
- Now, click on any of the blue bars of the chart.
- Then, right-click on the mouse and select the drop-down menu of the Fill option.
- Instantly, options of color will open up.
- From there, give a tick on the No Fill option.
- As a result, your Construction Bar Chart will look like this.
Read More: How to Create Overlapping Bar Chart in Excel
STEP 3: Format Bar Chart
In this step, we will do the modification of our bar chart.
3.1: Fix Sequence
- In the chart, there is a problem.
- In this Construction Bar Chart, tasks are listed in reverse.
- Here, the last task is on top of the chart and the first task is given at the bottom.
- For this reason, we will fix the issue in this step.
- So, double-click on the tasks that indicate the vertical axis.
- Instantly, right side of the Excel Sheet, the Format Axis named window will open up.
- In this window, select the Axis Options icon.
- After that, under the Axis Position header, give a tick on Categories in reverse order.
- As a result, we have been able to settle the issue.
Read More: How to Make Floating Bar Chart in Excel
3.2: Format Axis Level
- In this step, you have to format the axis label for a better look.
- That’s why we need to know the maximum and minimum range.
- Here, our minimum value will be 5th May 2017 when the Proposal starts.
- And, our maximum value will be 30th June 2019 when the project ends.
- So, we will replace the date in the number format and find out the minimum and maximum values.
- To do so, select the C5 cell and click on the drop-down menu of the Number Format in the Number group.
- Now, select General from the menu.
- As a result, the date format is converted to the number format.
- This is our minimum range of the horizontal axis.
- So, we have remembered the lower range.
- After that, reconvert the number into date format.
- To do so, select the cell and click on the drop-down menu of the Number Format in the Number group.
- Then, from the menu select Short Date.
- As a result, the data is reconverted into the Date format.
- Similarly, do the same for the C16 cell and remember the maximum range.
- Now, click the horizontal axis and right-click on the mouse.
- Instantly, a menu will open up, and select Format Axis from there.
- Now, the Format Axis window has opened up on the right side of the Excel Sheet.
- Then, under the Axis Options header, you can see a box for declaring the minimum and maximum range.
- Here, we have set 43220 and 43650 as our minimum and maximum range.
- As a result, the chart will look like the following figure.
Read More: How to Create a Radial Bar Chart in Excel
3.3: Insert Chart Title
- In this step, we will insert the chart title.
- To do so, click on the chart and press the (+) icon.
- After that, give a tick on the Chart Title.
- Instantly, the title will come out.
- Now, double-click on the Chart Title and type the title.
- We have given our chart title Construction Bar Chart.
Read More: How to Create Butterfly Chart in Excel
3.4: Change Chart Style
- In the following step, we will change the chart style and color.
- To change the color, click on any bar of the chart.
- After selection, right-click on the mouse and select the drop-down menu of the Fill icon.
- From the options, you can select the color as per your wish.
- We have selected the following color.
Read More: How to Change Bar Chart Color Based on Category in Excel
Final Output
- Finally, we have successfully created a Construction Bar Chart in Excel.
Download Practice Workbook
To practice by yourself, download the following workbook.
Conclusion
In this article, we have demonstrated how to create a construction bar chart in Excel. There is a practice workbook at the beginning of the article. Go ahead and give it a try. Last but not least, please use the comment section below to post any questions or make any suggestions you might have.
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