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To create a new template, follow the steps below.

  1. Click "Settings" on the ribbon.
  2. Click "Open Template Folder". This closes the setting window and open the folder where all the templates are stored.

    Settings Window

  3. Copy an existing template that meet your requirements closely.
  4. Open the copied template.
  5. Modify it, save it.

All the Excel ".xlsx" files in the "Template" folder as seen as a template. So, it’s better not to store other Excel files there.

A template contains two worksheets, "Timeline" and "Shapes". The "Timeline" sheet is copied when you click "Add New Gantt Chart" button to add a new Gantt sheet. When drawing charts, the shapes on the "Shapes" worksheet will be copied.

The default template and its Shapes sheet

Notes:

  • Each shape has its own name. Gantt Chart Maker for Excel relies on the name to find it. So don’t rename the shapes.
  • To customize a shape, first click to select it.
  • Excel's "Shape Format" ribbon appears. Click to activate the ribbon tab.
  • By using the commands on the "Shape Format" ribbon, you can change the shape type, change colors, borders, and many more. Click the "Right-Down" arrow button in the "Shape Styles" group to open the "Format Shape" pane, which give you even more options and tools.
  • The connectors are special shapes. To change a connector type, right-click the shape, choose "Connector Types".
  • If you customize the label, make sure to set these text box properties on the "Format Shape" pane: Don't allow wrap; Allow overflow.
  • Once done, save the template.