Numbers is the most innovative spreadsheet app ever designed for a mobile device. Created exclusively for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, Numbers includes support. Pages Templates Create eye-catching brochures, flyers, newsletters, posters, business cards, letterheads and more with our ready-made graphic designs. Download easy-to-edit layouts for Apple Pages that include photos and artwork.
This step-by-step Numbers Gantt chart tutorial explains how to make professional Gantt charts inside the popular spreadsheet app for Mac.
Professionals who need to create a Gantt chart in Apple's Numbers can do so using the tool’s Bar Chart feature and some manual formatting. However, since the software lacks a built-in Gantt feature and its templates are primarily designed for summarizing data such as home budgets, checklists and invoices, it may limit one's ability to generate more accurate, easy-to-follow visuals for purposes such as presentations to clients and managers.
If you need to create impressive Gantt charts that can be easily customized and updated, using a web-based Gantt chart maker such as Office Timeline's may prove more efficient. The tool lets you quickly build your visual online and download it as a native PowerPoint slide to include in presentations. On this page, I will explain how to make a Gantt chart both manually in Numbers and automatically with Office Timeline Online. To learn how to make a timeline in Numbers for Mac, please see our timeline tutorial here.
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How to make a Gantt chart in Numbers
1. List your project data in a table
Open Numbers and select the Charting Basics category under the Basic section of the Template Gallery.
Click on the “+” tab on the far-left side of the Charting Basics ribbon to create a new sheet.
In the newly added sheet, there will be a default table where you can input your data. Enter the key phases of your project (called project tasks) in the first column of the table as in the image below. Since the task descriptions will be displayed on the vertical axis of your chart, it’s recommended that you keep them as short as possible to ensure they'll be clearly visible.
In the second column, add the start week for each of the project phases, using the first task (which will start in week 1) as the reference point for the rest of the tasks. This will help outline the span of the horizontal axis when you start building your graphic. I have included a second table in the image below to better illustrate how I calculated the start time series for my chart.
Use the next column to list each task's duration (number of weeks required to complete that task). In the second table below, you can see my calculations for the duration series.
2. Create a basic graphic setting it up as a 2D Stacked Bar Chart
Select all the data in your table and then go to Insert → Chart on the Numbers ribbon.
Select 2D Stacked Bar from the menu that appears.
Numbers will automatically generate a simple stacked bar chart that looks like the one below:
3. Format your graphic to turn it into a Gantt
Now that your basic stacked bar graphic is created, you will need to make a few edits to turn it into a Gantt. The main thing to change is to make the blue bars transparent so that only the green ones remain visible. The latter will represent your tasks. To do this:
Click on any of the blue bars. This will select the whole series.
Select the Style tab from the Format pane on the right side of your sheet.
Click on the color indicator next to Fill and select No Fill.
The resulting Gantt chart should look like this:
4. Customize your Gantt chart
At this point, your Gantt is ready for a few customizations if you want to make it look more unique.
Customizing your task bars
i.To change the color of all your tasks simultaneously, select any of them, go to the Style tab in the Format pane and click on Fill, where you can choose whichever color you prefer. In my example, I picked a dark purple.
ii.If you want to color the chart bars individually, you need to redistribute your tasks into different categories. To do so, first add several columns after “Duration”, as in the following image. Each of these will generate a distinct hue that you can later customize from the Style tab (as shown earlier). Then, cut the duration value of the task you intend to recolor and paste it in whichever of the newly added columns, keeping the same row. You can see how I set up the new colors for my graphic below:
Note: The tasks that have their duration values in the same column are seen as a single category and customized simultaneously, while those with the duration values placed in different columns will be considered as distinct series, and you'll be able to recolor them individually.iii.While in the Style section, you can also choose to apply various styles and effects to your tasks, such as strokes and shadows, but I recommend keeping these to a minimum so your chart remains legible. For instance, I added only a straight black outline to the bars using the Stroke feature. Since I kept a multicolored graphic, I selected all my bars first (Shift + Click) to make sure the Stroke effect is applied collectively.
iv.If you want to display each task’s corresponding duration on the chart, select all of the bars and go to Value Labels within the Series tab. Click on the arrow on the left and select 'Same as Source Data'.
Customizing the chart area
To personalize your graphic even further, you can make some changes to the chart area using the Format pane's Chart tab. Before getting started, first make sure your graphic is selected.
i.Add borders and titles: Check the box for Border and Title under Chart Options. In my example, I also unchecked the box for Legend, as I found it to be redundant for my Gantt.
ii.Customize fonts: You can change the font type and size for the entire graphic under Chart Font, as shown in the picture below. In my example, I changed the font to Helvetica and I increased its size.
Note: To customize the chart title or the task descriptions separately, simply double-click on the desired element and make whatever changes you want from the small pane that pops up.iii.Adjust the space between the chart bars: Under the Gaps section of the Chart tab, use the up-down controls to increase or decrease the space between your tasks. I increased the gap percentage to 80% for my chart (see image below).
iv.Apply a background to the graphic: Under Background & Border Style, click on the arrow next to No Background Fill and select Color Fill from the drop-down menu to get access to a color palette. In my example, I used a light shade of grey called Mercury for the background.
v.Finally, to make it easier to see the relative distance between tasks, I've added more vertical gridlines. To do the same, select the Axis tab of the Format pane, go to Minor Gridlines and click on the type of gridline you want to add. I chose the second type, with a size of 0,5 points.
After completing all the steps above, trying out several font sizes and styles, and increasing the width of the chart area, my final Gantt chart in Numbers looks like this:
Download Gantt chart template for Numbers
How to make a Gantt chart online automatically
Manually building a Gantt chart in Numbers is possible, but the tool’s limited customization options (for example, not being able to color tasks individually) can make it difficult to create more professional visuals and update them for recurring business or project communications.
Professionals who want to build Gantt charts more easily and apply more refined custom changes to their visuals can do so using Office Timeline Online . The browser-based tool lets you automatically create an eye-catching graphic, update it quickly as plans change, and download it as a .pptx file or .png image. To get started, access the free app here and follow the steps below.
1. Enter your project's data in Office Timeline Online
From the New tab in Office Timeline Online, click on Timeline from scratch or choose one of the templates provided to start building your Gantt chart. To save time, you can also import an existing schedule from Excel. In my example, I chose to make a new Gantt chart from scratch.
After clicking the Timeline from scratch button, you will be taken to the Data View, which allows you to enter and edit data.
In the Data View, list your task descriptions and dates - Office Timeline will instantly generate your graphic and show you a live preview of it on the right. You can also make a few quick styling choices here in the Data tab, such as choosing the shape and color for each task. Once ready, select the Timeline tab on the Office Timeline Online ribbon or click the thumbnail image on the top right to go to the Timeline View, where you can see your Gantt chart in full size and customize it further.
2. Easily customize and update your Gantt chart
Once created, your Gantt chart can be easily personalized or updated automatically with Office Timeline Online. You can change any color, font, shape or position from the Timeline view, or even add extras such as Time Elapsed or Task duration. In my finalized Gantt chart below, you can see that I've inserted a few milestones too and added Percent Complete to show more details about my project schedule.
With a Free account, Office Timeline will automatically save your Gantt chart in the cloud, so you can get back to it at any time and update it effortlessly whenever plans change. You can add or edit data easily from the Data tab, or drag & drop milestones and tasks directly on the graphic to adjust their dates on the fly. When finished, download your Gantt chart as an editable PowerPoint slide for easy sharing or to include in presentations.
See how easy it is to make Gantt charts with Office Timeline Online
Multipart article
by Diana Ramos on Apr 16, 2019
In this article, you’ll find the top Excel templates for a variety of use cases – from project management to budgeting — compatible with all Mac operating systems. Manage your projects, track budgets and deadlines, and plan schedules effectively with these helpful, preformatted templates in Microsoft Excel.
Included on this page, you'll find a variety of templates for many use cases, such as a Gantt Chart template, a project planning template, a business budget template, and more.
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Gantt Chart Template for Mac
Organize, track, and manage your projects and timelines with this easy-to-use Gantt chart template. Input project tasks, start and end dates, and durations to create a high-level overview of your timelines and ensure that you meet all of your deadlines and are able to appropriately allocate resources.
Download Gantt Chart Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
For more information on creating a Gantt chart in Excel on a Mac, visit this article for step-by-step instructions and an instructional video. For more general information on Gantt charts, like specific use cases, the features of a Gantt chart, and the benefits in implementing one in your next project, visit this article.
Agile Project With Gantt Chart Template for Mac
Track your project details, group specific tasks into sprints, and view project progress with this Agile project plan template. Gain a high-level overview of your project with the included Gantt chart, which allows you to view task start and end dates, durations, and people assigned to each phase of the project.
Download Agile Project with Gantt Chart Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Project Planning Template for Mac
Document all your project details, from tasks to durations to percentage of tasks completed, with this comprehensive project planning template for Mac. Manage and track projects, both large and small, and ensure that all stakeholders and team members are kept up to date on project progress. House all necessary project information within this project plan to keep details in context and to keep projects moving.
Download Project Planning Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Project Timeline Template for Mac
Easily track projects of all sizes with a timeline that displays tasks and milestones for each project phase. Use this template to create a weekly, monthly, and annual timeline in order to quickly identify dependencies and get an overview of the entire project. You can also use this template as a tool for project planning, scheduling, and tracking.
Download Project Timeline Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Inventory Tracker Template for Mac
Leverage this template in your next project to view inventory by item name, description, or ID number, track the total quantity and value of your current inventory, set reorder dates, and identify discontinued items. Customize the columns based on how you want to track your inventory, and the totals will automatically calculate.
Download Inventory Tracker Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Sign-Up Sheet Template for Mac
Use this generic sign-up sheet for a variety of uses, from classes and meetings to social events and club get-togethers. Record attendance by participant name, signature, email address, and more to log attendance and times in and out. Edit the template as needed to capture all necessary information for your event.
Timesheet Template for Mac
Manage employee hours and ensure you are awarding them with the appropriate pay rates with this timesheet template for Mac. With space to document daily and weekly hours, income earned, vacation days and rates, and overtime hours, you can accurately track each employees’ pay rates. Simply insert the data into the correct cells, and your totals will automatically calculate.
Download Timesheet Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
To-Do List Template for Mac
Mac Os Numbers Templates
This basic to-do list template can be customized to be a daily, weekly, or monthly to-do list based on your desired time frame. Write out your individual tasks for the allotted time period, update the status of each task, set priority levels, assign due dates and owners, and add notes to manage additional details.
Download To-Do List Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Monthly Calendar Template for Mac
Use this calendar template to schedule, plan, and track important dates or tasks on a monthly cadence. Easily plan for events of all types and sizes, track against deadlines, and view both previous and upcoming months for even easier planning efforts. This is a classic calendar-style template in a landscape format.
Download Monthly Calendar Template for Mac
Weekly Calendar Template for Mac
This weekly calendar template makes it easy to plan for events, tasks, and deadlines for the upcoming week. Visualize your schedule and plan accordingly by noting all events directly on the calendar. With space to add additional notes or comments, you’ll also be able to effectively plan for the week ahead. This calendar also includes all U.S holidays.
Daily Planner Template for Mac
Use this daily planner template to track appointments, important events, and upcoming deadlines to keep yourself on schedule. With sections for prioritized tasks and notes, this daily planner template can help you stay organized throughout a busy day. This free, printable template allows you to create your own planner and customize it to match your needs.
Download Daily Planner Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Timeline Template for Mac
Use this timeline template to assist your strategic planning process by highlighting goals and tasks over a set time period. You can use the template to facilitate discussions around key points or to create a summary timeline of a larger strategic plan. Simply edit the task section to meet the needs of your business or organization.
Business Budget Template for Mac
Track monthly income against expenses to ensure you remain within your budget with this simple business budget template. Choose either a services- or goods-based business and manage expenses as they come in. This template can help you gain a closer look at where company funds are both made and spent via categories that identify where the most money is going or coming from.
Download Business Budget Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Personal Budget Tracker Template for Mac
List personal income, expenses, and savings goals in this detailed budget tracker template, which allows you to plan for the future and set overall budgeting goals. With space to detail all of your expenses, from rent to car payments, you can view how they stack up against the money you’re bringing in every month.
Download Personal Budget Tracker Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Balance Sheet Template for Mac
Gain a quick snapshot of your company’s financial position at any given moment with this comprehensive balance sheet template. Use the template to summarize the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity, and give investors an idea of the health of the company.
Download Balance Sheet Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Monthly Budget Calculator Template for Mac
Divide your monthly expenses into separate categories, like housing and transportation, and compare it to your average income to see how much you can save and spend on a monthly basis. The calculator will do all the work for you: Simply add in your payments and income, and the total will automtically calculate to give you an overview of how well you’re sticking to your budget.
Invoice Template for Mac
Use this template to document service descriptions and calculate totals to accurately bill a client or customer. This detailed template includes space to add a service description, quantity of hours, pay rates, and sales tax, so the heavy lifting is done for you. Simply input your data and send the invoice to the designated recipient.
Download Invoice Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Expense Report Template for Mac
Efficiently document your expenses with this detailed expense report template, which allows you to track the data, type, and total amount for each expense. Categorize your expenses with customizable columns, and watch the total reimbursement amount calculate for you with preformatted formulas.
Download Expense Report Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Receipt Tracker Template for Mac
Stay on top of your expenses with this complete receipt tracker template. Simply fill in the details from your receipt, including a description, the category of expense, the total amount, and any additional sales tax. Use this template to keep all your receipt details organized and tracked, so you’re never surprised by expenses again.
Income Statement Template for Mac
Gain insight into the financial performance of your company over a defined period of time with this income statement template. Sometimes referred to as a profit and loss statement, an income statement provides a comprehensive summary of revenue, expenses, and net income, so you can stay on top of your business’s financial health.
Download Income Statement Template for Mac
Excel | Smartsheet
Discover a Better Way to Manage Projects, Timelines, and Budgets
Using a tool to manage, track, and report on projects, timelines, and budgets is more effective than doing it manually — or simply not tracking it at all. You need to be able to estimate how long each task will take, allocate appropriate resources, assign team members, and track budgets to ensure you stay within the bounds of your expense limits. To do all this reliably, however, you need a project management solution to help ensure that your next project is delivered on time and on budget.
One such solution is Smartsheet, a work execution platform that enables enterprises and teams to get from idea to impact — fast. Top project management leaders rely on Smartsheet to help align the right people, resources, and schedules to get work done.
Use Smartsheet to create consistent project elements, increase speed, and improve collaboration with scalable options that fit individual work preferences. Hold yourself and your team accountable, improve visibility into team priorities, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Try Smartsheet to discover a collaborative, real-time way to manage your projects and budgets.