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Simple Gantt Charts using OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice)

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OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) Gantt Charts just like Excel versions!

The instructions for creating a Gantt Chart, which can be used for project planning, using OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) are based on versions developed for Excel in the series of blog posts by RTSL.eu called Project Plans in Excel (simple, quick and effective). More Gantt Chart links can be found here.

Excel simple Gantt Chart

The screenshot shown on the right is taken from RTSL.eu's blog and shows the layout of the simple Gantt Chart in Excel. The green bars indicate the time period for each activity, and are generated using Excel's conditional formatting functionality with formulae.

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) formula

The equivalent OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) Calc conditional formatting functionality requires a value to be placed in each cell, which is then conditionally associated with a style. The following screenshot shows the formula which gives 1 for a cell to be coloured, or 0 for a cell to be left blank. This formula can then be copied to all the cells used for the "graphical" display, which will adjust the cell locations included in it automatically.

OpenOffice.org formula 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) conditional formatting

Having selected the "graphical" display cells, the conditional formatting window can be selected on the menu drop-downs from Format > Conditional formatting. This allows up to 3 conditions to be specified that can be assigned to different styles. In this case 1 is assigned to the Gantt-on style, and 0 to the Gantt-off style.

OpenOffice.org conditional formatting menu 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) conditional formatting 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) styles

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) styles can be viewed and updated on the menu drop-downs from Format > Styles and Formatting. New styles can be based on existing styles using the icon to the right of the "bucket" icon.

OpenOffice.org styles menu 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) styles 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) Gantt-on style

This style has a green cell background with green foreground text, which effectively makes the text invisible, in this case it will be "1".

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) style background for Gantt-on 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) style font for Gantt-on 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) Gantt-off style

This style has a white cell background with white foreground text, which effectively makes the text invisible, in this case it will be "0".

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) style background for Gantt-off 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) style font for Gantt-off 

OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) simple Gantt Chart

Putting it all together gives a simple Gantt Chart that looks and behaves like its Excel original.

OpenOffice.org simple Gantt Chart 

Gantt Chart Links

Which is the better software for creating Gantt Charts?

Which is the better software for creating Gantt Charts?

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OpenOffice.org (or LibreOffice) Calc

Michey says:

The easiest is OpenOffice.org, at list using my experience so far.

Microsoft Excel

Serj says:

Free is nice, but there some paid things that are better

says:

Microsoft Excel - I am biased as I use Excel day in and day out at my business
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Your comments are welcomed

  • johnboair Jan 14, 2012 @ 8:06 am | delete
    Thanks for this great info.

    http://myexceltemplates.com/
  • Serj Nov 18, 2011 @ 6:15 am | delete
    Very nice tutorial lens. I like it allot. Nice job!
  • Michey Oct 12, 2011 @ 2:53 pm | delete
    You have a talent as a teacher, as you explain very well how to use this part of OpenOffice.
    I use OpenOffice: Writer, Draw and Impress, but I know that other components are valuable as well... you just give me another example of OpenOffice's functionality
    thanks for a great post.
  • Jim Aug 20, 2011 @ 2:43 am | delete
    You might want to check this template out. All the hard work has been done ... http://www.techrepublic.com/downloads/download-this-project-plan-template/173952
  • SereneSea Jan 3, 2011 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    Great tips explained clearly with details.
  • buildcsn May 11, 2010 @ 9:59 am | delete
    In my personal Learning project management may be not a too much simple job. We require to be studied about making a project Successful before launching actual deal. It one is a lucrative collection about taking care of a project.
    Thanks.
  • _Joan_ Feb 25, 2010 @ 11:15 am | delete
    This is very nicely explained and I love the screenshots.
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hollandnumerics

Holland Numerics Ltd is a computer consultancy owned and run by Philip and Angela Holland in Royston, Herts, UK. It is involved in lots of activities,... more »

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