Chart & Visualization Issues

How to Change Gantt Chart Bar Colors in Excel

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to customize the task bar colors within a Simple Gantt Chart template.

How to Change Gantt Chart Bar Colors in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing a project timeline or Gantt chart template to use specific colors for different tasks or milestones.
Observed behavior: The Gantt chart bars are controlled by default conditional formatting rules, which must be edited to apply custom fill colors.

Before you start

Verify that your Gantt chart template uses conditional formatting to generate the task bars. If the formatting options are grayed out, go to the Review tab and click Unprotect Sheet first.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Conditional Formatting Rules to Change Bar Colors

Edit the existing conditional formatting rules that control the task bars to apply your preferred fill color.

Most Excel Gantt chart templates use conditional formatting rather than standard cell fills to automatically color cells based on task dates. You need to adjust these underlying rules to change the visual appearance.

Open the Conditional Formatting Rules Manager

Navigate to the Home tab on the Excel ribbon, click on 'Conditional Formatting' in the Styles group, and select 'Manage Rules'.

Select the Appropriate Worksheet Scope

In the Rules Manager dialog box, locate the 'Show formatting rules for' drop-down menu at the top. Change this setting from 'Current Selection' to 'This Worksheet' to display all rules applied to your Gantt chart.

Edit the Target Rule

Find the rule that applies the current color to your Gantt chart task bars. Click on it to highlight it, and then click the 'Edit Rule' button.

Apply a New Format Color

In the Edit Formatting Rule window, click the 'Format' button. Switch to the 'Fill' tab, select your new preferred color, and click 'OK' twice to apply the changes. Repeat this process for any other rules if your chart uses multiple colors.

Modify Conditional Formatting Rules to Change Bar Colors

Tip: If you want to add a gradient or pattern to your Gantt chart bars, you can select 'Fill Effects' or choose a pattern style directly from the Fill tab.

Simplify Project Management

Easily Customize Gantt Charts with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet provides robust support for conditional formatting, allowing you to seamlessly open Excel Gantt chart templates and modify them to suit your project's branding without any formatting loss.

1. Open Your Gantt Chart: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Gantt chart file.
2. Access the Rules Manager: Go to the Home tab, click on Conditional Formatting, and choose Manage Rules.
3. Find the Task Bar Rule: Select 'This Worksheet' from the drop-down list, highlight the rule generating your Gantt bars, and click Edit.
4. Change the Fill Color: Click the Format button, navigate to the Patterns tab, choose your new background color, and click OK to save.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) conditional formatting and chart templates.Lightweight, fast, and free to use with a clean, intuitive user interface.Built-in diverse free templates for Gantt charts and project management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Conditional Formatting option grayed out in my Excel template?

The template worksheet is likely protected to prevent accidental changes to formulas. To fix this, go to the Review tab on the ribbon and click 'Unprotect Sheet'. You may need a password if the template creator locked it securely.

Can I apply different colors based on task status in a Gantt chart?

Yes. You can create multiple conditional formatting rules using custom formulas that check a specific status cell (e.g., 'In Progress' or 'Delayed'). Set a unique fill color for each rule to visually track task progress.

Will changing the bar color alter my task dates or chart formulas?

No. Editing the conditional formatting fill color only updates the visual presentation of the chart. Your underlying formulas, start dates, and durations remain completely unaffected.

Excel & Data Problems