How to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel (With Easy Steps)

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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.

construction bar chart in excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create Construction Bar Chart in Excel

  • 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.

Step-by-Step Procedures to Create 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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Sudipta Chandra Sarker
Sudipta Chandra Sarker

Sudipta Chandra Sarker, BSc, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh, has worked on the ExcelDemy project for over a year. For ExcelDemy, he has authored 42 articles and reviewed over ten articles. He is employed as a junior software developer at the moment. He aims to create various useful Microsoft Office Add-ins, extending the functionality of Office programs. His interests span Microsoft Office Suites, Data Science, VBA, VB.NET, ASP.NET, C#, Excel, and Desktop... Read Full Bio

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