Create Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Visualizing project timelines is important for effective planning and tracking. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to create a Gantt chart in Excel using C#. With just a few lines of code, you can automate the generation of dynamic, visually appealing Gantt charts. Whether you’re building a project management tool or working on internal reporting, this guide will show you how to turn task data into a clear and professional timeline—fully customizable and ready for export to Excel, PDF, or image formats. Let’s get started!

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C# Excel Library to Create Gantt Charts

Aspose.Cells for .NET is a powerful Excel library that simplifies the process of creating Gantt charts in Excel. It provides robust features for manipulating Excel files programmatically. With Aspose.Cells, developers can easily create, modify, and customize charts and graphs. This library supports various Excel formats and offers advanced functionalities, making it an ideal choice for project managers and developers alike.

Aspose.Cells for .NET stands out due to its ease of integration and flexibility. Here are some key features:

  • Comprehensive API: Access a wide range of Excel functionalities.
  • Advanced Customization: Tailor charts and graphs to meet specific needs.
  • High Performance: Efficiently handle large datasets without compromising speed.
  • Multiple Format Support: Work with various Excel formats, including XLSX, XLS, and CSV.

Follow these simple steps to get started with Aspose.Cells for .NET:

  1. Download the library from the releases.
  2. Install it via NuGet Package Manager with the following command:
    PM> Install-Package Aspose.Cells

How to Build a Gantt Chart Using Stacked Bar Charts

Aspose.Cells does not have a built-in Gantt chart type because Excel itself doesn’t offer a native Gantt chart type either. However, Gantt charts in Excel are usually created using stacked bar charts combined with custom formatting — and Aspose.Cells supports that approach programmatically.

What You Can Do with Aspose.Cells:

You can automate the creation of a Gantt chart in Excel by

  • Setting up task data (task name, start date, duration).
  • Adding a stacked bar chart.
  • Using one series for “start offset” (hidden) and another for “duration” (visible).
  • Formatting the chart to resemble a Gantt chart.

Sample Gantt Chart Data


| Task   | Start Date  | Duration | Start Offset |
|--------|-------------|----------|--------------|
| Task 1 | 2025-04-01  | 3        | 0            |
| Task 2 | 2025-04-03  | 6        | 2            |
| Task 3 | 2025-04-08  | 10       | 7            |
| Task 4 | 2025-04-18  | 3        | 17           |
| Task 5 | 2025-04-21  | 5        | 20           |

Create a Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Follow these steps to create a Gantt chart in Excel using C# with Aspose.Cells for .NET:

  1. Load an existing Excel file using the Workbook class.
  2. Access the first worksheet using workbook.Worksheets[0].
  3. Add a chart using the ChartType.BarStacked to simulate a Gantt chart layout.
  4. Add offset and duration as series.
  5. Set category labels using the CategoryData property.
  6. Set styles and Axis settiings.
  7. Save the workbook using workbook.Save().

Here’s a C# code snippet that implements the above steps:

Create a Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Create a Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Customize Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

You can enhance your Gantt chart using the following customization features in Aspose.Cells for .NET:

  • Bar Colors
    Set solid color for duration bars:

    chart.NSeries[1].Area.ForegroundColor = Color.SteelBlue;

  • Transparent Offsets
    Make the offset (invisible) bars fully transparent.

    chart.NSeries[0].Area.Formatting = FormattingType.None;

  • Task Order
    Reverse the Y-axis to show tasks from top to bottom:

    chart.CategoryAxis.IsPlotOrderReversed = true;

  • Data Labels
    Show duration directly on each taskbar:

    chart.NSeries[1].DataLabels.ShowValue = true;

  • Legend Control
    Remove or reposition the chart legend.

    chart.ShowLegend = false;
// Or reposition: chart.Legend.Position = LegendPositionType.Bottom;

  • Individual Bar Styling
    Set custom colors for each task.

    var series = chart.NSeries[1];
series.Points[0].Area.ForegroundColor = Color.Green;
series.Points[1].Area.ForegroundColor = Color.Red;

  • Chart Dimensions
    Resize and reposition the chart:

    chart.ChartObject.Width = 700;
chart.ChartObject.Height = 400;

  • Export Options
    Save the chart to Excel, PDF, or image.

    workbook.Save("GanttChart.xlsx");
workbook.Save("GanttChart.pdf", SaveFormat.Pdf);
chart.ToImage("chart.png", ImageFormat.Png);

Here’s a C# code snippet that implements a few of the above-given customizations:

Customize Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Customize Gantt Chart in Excel using C#

Get a Free License

Interested in exploring Aspose products? Visit the license page to obtain a free temporary license. It’s easy to get started and unlock the full potential of Aspose.Cells for your projects!

Gantt Chart Excel: Free Resources

Don’t stop here! Explore additional resources to further enhance your understanding of Aspose.Cells. These resources will help you master Excel automation and strengthen your skills.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we explored how to create a Gantt chart in Excel using C#. Aspose.Cells for .NET simplifies this process with its powerful features and flexibility. We encourage you to explore more about Aspose.Cells for .NET to enhance your project management capabilities.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out at our free support forum.

See Also