Microsoft Excel alternative for Gantt charts
Spend less time fixing outdated schedules
TeamGantt gives you a shared Gantt chart that’s easy to update as plans change, so you can stop rebuilding spreadsheets and start building trust.
Why project teams look for an Excel alternative
Excel makes it easy to sketch out a simple timeline. But every manual update creates another chance for deadlines and handoffs to slip.
Microsoft Excel is built for organizing data.
- Gantt charts require stacked bar workarounds.
- One delay can create a chain of manual updates.
- Dependent tasks don't stay connected.
- Copied files can create version control problems.
- Overbooked resources are easy to miss.
TeamGantt is built for managing schedules.
- Teams can build live Gantt charts right away.
- Dates adjust with simple drag and drop.
- Dependencies stay connected when plans change.
- Everyone can work from the same shared schedule.
- Workloads are visible from the Gantt chart.
Trusted by 20,000+ teams
A simpler way to turn timelines into working schedules
TeamGantt gives you a living schedule you can adjust, share, and rely on to coordinate the deliverables behind every deadline.
- Explore project scheduling
Build schedules that stay connected
- Plan fast with a template or the in-app AI project builder.
- Drag and drop tasks directly on the timeline.
- Move one task and dependent work updates automatically.
- Build in gaps for handoffs, reviews, or delays.
- Explore project collaboration
Share one schedule with everyone
- Keep teams and stakeholders working from the latest plan.
- Invite collaborators to view, comment, and update.
- Share view-only schedules with clients and stakeholders.
- Avoid sending new files after every change.
- Explore resource management
Spot workload conflicts before dates slip
- View workloads from the Gantt chart.
- Spot overbooked resources at a glance.
- Check availability before committing to dates.
- Reassign work before deadlines are at risk.
- Explore project tracking
Track schedule changes over time
- Save multiple baselines throughout a project.
- Compare plan versus actual in the Gantt chart.
- See how deadlines have shifted over time.
- Use project history to track and undo updates.
For construction teams
Stay ahead of construction delays
Keep crews, materials, and handoffs aligned as job schedules change. TeamGantt Builder Edition brings construction planning into one shared schedule that's easy for everyone to access.
“Prior to TeamGantt, we wasted hours creating project plans in Excel, which would often then change and require further time investment to update. Moving to TeamGantt allows us to build and adapt project plans on the fly and share them with clients within minutes.”
Lydia Hawkridge · Red Ant
Compare TeamGantt vs Excel
Here’s how TeamGantt and Microsoft Excel compare on the decisions that matter most for schedule-driven teams.
| TeamGantt | Excel | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan creation | Build from scratch, import a CSV, start with a template, or use AI to generate your plan. | Create a timeline with a template, stacked bar chart, or manually formatted worksheet. |
| Schedule updates | Drag and drop tasks directly on the timeline as plans change. | Update dates by editing cells, formulas, chart ranges, or formatting. |
| Dependencies | Use 4 dependency types with lead/lag. Move one task and dependent dates update automatically. | Manage connected tasks with formulas, notes, or manual date changes. |
| Sharing and access | Invite collaborators or share public links to the live schedule. | Share the schedule as a file, link, export, or attachment. |
| Workload visibility | View workloads and reassign work directly from the project schedule. | Track assignments in rows, columns, or separate resource worksheets. |
| Project tracking | Use baselines, critical path, and project history to track schedule changes. | Track progress and compare planned vs actual dates with added columns, formulas, and conditional formatting. |
| Construction scheduling | Coordinate crews, materials, job costs, look-aheads, and subcontractor confirmations with Builder Edition. | Use separate worksheets or manual follow-up to track crews, materials, costs, and confirmations. |
| Pricing | Paid plans start at $24/month. 14-day free trial available, with the option to switch to a limited free Personal plan when it ends. | Often included with Microsoft 365, with Excel for the web available free. |
More than 2,000,000 users choose TeamGantt
“Everything was very clear, everything was organized and easy to use. So I highly recommend TeamGantt. It's great.”
Alex Greenberg
Head, NGX Interactive
“I recommend TeamGantt to people who want a relatively simple tool. It's simple to get started and easy to use and it has a lot of flexibility.”
Pieta Blakely
Head, Blakely Consulting, LLC
“TeamGantt has allowed us to create a better workflow and account for dependencies and unexpected delays.”
Liana Simstrom
Supervising Producer, NPR
Which tool is right for you?
Use Excel for simple schedule snapshots
Excel is the right fit if you:
- Own the schedule yourself
- Need a simple timeline or one-time snapshot
- Plan early ideas, budgets, or bid schedules
- Make updates occasionally, not every week
- Already have a spreadsheet workflow that works
Use TeamGantt for schedule-driven work
TeamGantt is the right fit if you:
- Coordinate work across multiple people or projects
- Need everyone working from the latest plan
- Manage dependencies, handoffs, or shifting deadlines
- Spend too much time updating spreadsheets by hand
- Need workload visibility before schedules slip
Frequently asked questions
TeamGantt is a schedule-first Excel alternative for teams that need live Gantt charts, connected dependencies, workload visibility, and shared access without rebuilding spreadsheets by hand. Check out our help center for all the details.
Browse our help centerCan you create a Gantt chart in Excel?
Yes. You can make a Gantt chart in Excel by using a template or formatting a stacked bar chart to look like a timeline. Excel does not include a built-in Gantt chart view, so the setup and ongoing updates are mostly manual.
That can work for simple timelines or one-time schedule snapshots. It becomes harder to maintain when dates shift, tasks depend on each other, or more people need the latest plan.
That can work for simple timelines or one-time schedule snapshots. It becomes harder to maintain when dates shift, tasks depend on each other, or more people need the latest plan.
When is Excel enough for project scheduling?
Excel can be enough when the schedule is simple, mostly static, and managed by one person. It also works well for early planning, budgeting, bid schedules, or one-time presentation timelines.
A dedicated Gantt chart tool is usually a better fit when schedules change often, multiple people need access, dependencies matter, or manual updates are taking too much time.
A dedicated Gantt chart tool is usually a better fit when schedules change often, multiple people need access, dependencies matter, or manual updates are taking too much time.
Can TeamGantt import an existing Excel schedule?
Yes. TeamGantt supports CSV import, so you can move task data from Excel into a live Gantt chart without rebuilding the schedule from scratch.
After import, you can edit tasks on the timeline with drag and drop, assign work, add dependencies, and share the schedule with your team.
After import, you can edit tasks on the timeline with drag and drop, assign work, add dependencies, and share the schedule with your team.
How is paid Gantt chart software better than a free Excel template?
A free Excel Gantt chart template gives you a starting layout. It does not give you a scheduling engine.
Paid Gantt chart software like TeamGantt helps keep the schedule working as plans change. You can update dates, connect dependencies, check workloads, track the critical path, and share the latest plan without rebuilding the spreadsheet by hand.
Paid Gantt chart software like TeamGantt helps keep the schedule working as plans change. You can update dates, connect dependencies, check workloads, track the critical path, and share the latest plan without rebuilding the spreadsheet by hand.
Is TeamGantt free?
TeamGantt offers a free Personal plan, but new accounts start with a 14-day trial of a paid plan. A credit card is required to start.
When the trial ends, you'll be automatically billed for the plan you trialed. You can cancel anytime or downgrade to the TeamGantt Personal plan, which is free forever and includes 1 user, 1 project, 40 tasks, and basic Gantt chart features.
Paid plans start at $59/month and include 5 projects, 1 manager, and 10 collaborators.
When the trial ends, you'll be automatically billed for the plan you trialed. You can cancel anytime or downgrade to the TeamGantt Personal plan, which is free forever and includes 1 user, 1 project, 40 tasks, and basic Gantt chart features.
Paid plans start at $59/month and include 5 projects, 1 manager, and 10 collaborators.
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