How to Create a Project Schedule in Excel (with Easy Steps)

Written by Md. Shamim Reza

Last updated: Jun 18, 2024

Watch Video – Create a Project Schedule in Excel

Step 1: Recording Project Schedule Details to Create a Project Schedule

You need to record the project details, i.e., tasks, start date, duration, end date, status, etc., as shown in the picture below.

Enter the dates from the first task’s start date to the last task’s end date. Change the text orientation to vertical and adjust the column widths.

=IF(AND(G$4>=$C5,G$4<=$E5),$F5,"")

You must apply conditional formatting to get the desired result.
Select the range G5:AF14 and go to Home >> Conditional Formatting >> New Rule.

Select Format only cells that contain >> Cell Value >> equal to and type Complete in the text box.
Click on Format, and pick a Fill color.
Click OK.

Apply another conditional formatting rule for the In Progress status in the same range. After that, you will see the following result.

If you change any status from ‘In Progress’ to ‘Complete’, the schedule chart will change accordingly.

Select the range G5:AF14, press CTRL + 1, go to the Custom category, type 3 semicolons (;;;) in the Type field, and click OK.

You will get your project schedule as follows.

Steps:

Search for online templates before creating a new workbook using the keyword “Gantt Chart”.
Choose the suitable one and click on it.

Apply the mixed cell references in the formulas carefully. Otherwise, copying them using the Fill Handle will give you erroneous results.
Don’t forget to select the range before applying conditional formatting.

Download Free Project Schedule Template in Excel

The download button below lets you download the project schedule template for free.