Create a WPS Spreadsheet Gantt Chart with Consecutive Tasks on One Project Row
Question details
The user needs to create a Gantt chart that displays consecutive phases of the same project in one visual row.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Project data contains multiple tasks or phases with separate start dates and durations, and the user wants to visualize them as consecutive segments on a Gantt chart.
- Observed behavior
- The desired chart uses each task's start date to position its segment and its duration to define the segment length, with related tasks grouped on the same project row.
Prepare a table with Project, Task, Start Date, and Duration columns. Confirm that start dates are recognized as dates and that each duration is entered as a number of days.
Build a stacked bar Gantt chart from project start dates and durations
Use this method when each project phase has its own start date and duration and consecutive phases must appear in the same project row.
A Gantt chart can be created from a stacked bar chart by using the Start Date series as an invisible offset and the Duration series as the visible task bar. Organize the source rows so the project and task labels provide the chart categories, then group or label phases belonging to the same project as needed.
In WPS Spreadsheet, enter four columns named Project, Task, Start Date, and Duration. Add one row for each phase, such as Project A | Task 1 | January 1 | 5 and Project A | Task 2 | January 6 | 3.
Select the project, task, start date, and duration data, open the Insert tab, choose Chart, select Bar, and choose the Stacked Bar chart type.
In the chart's data settings, keep Start Date and Duration as the two value series. Start Date positions each task along the time axis, while Duration determines the length of each visible phase.
Select the Start Date series, open Format Data Series, and set its fill and border to No Fill or transparent. The Duration series will then appear as the visible Gantt task bar.
Open Format Data Series and set Series Overlap to 100% when required. Format the horizontal date axis chronologically, reverse the category order if needed, and customize the legend or add data labels.
Correct task grouping when phases do not share one project row
Use this adjustment when tasks appear on separate rows or overlap incorrectly after the stacked bar chart is inserted.
Create a Project Gantt Chart in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Spreadsheet lets you turn project start dates and durations into a stacked bar Gantt chart. Use the start-date series as an invisible offset, display duration as the task bar, and format the date axis and project rows for a clear schedule view.
- 1. Prepare project data: Open WPS Spreadsheet and create Project, Task, Start Date, and Duration columns with one row for each project phase.
- 2. Insert the chart: Select the data, open Insert, choose Chart, and select the Stacked Bar chart type.
- 3. Format the series: Use Start Date as the positioning series and Duration as the visible series, then make the Start Date series transparent.
- 4. Set the schedule layout: Open Format Data Series, set Series Overlap to 100% when needed, and format the date axis in chronological order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which chart type should I use for a Gantt chart in WPS Spreadsheet?
Use a Stacked Bar chart. Add Start Date and Duration as the value series, hide the Start Date series, and leave Duration visible as the task bar.
How should I structure the source data for consecutive project tasks?
Create separate columns for Project, Task, Start Date, and Duration. Enter one row per phase, use valid dates for each start date, and enter the length of each phase as a number of days.
Why do my task bars start at the same position?
The Start Date series may not be recognized as dates or may not be included in the chart. Check the cell format, select the chart, choose Select Data, and confirm that Start Date is included as a series.
How can I make consecutive tasks appear together on one project row?
Use project and task fields as the chart's category labels, verify that related phases use the same project identifier, and set Series Overlap to 100% under Format Data Series when the bars are separated.
