Looking for the simplest way to create a Gantt chart in Qlik Sense to further streamline data-driven project management in your company or organization? We’ll show you one right now! Follow this quick tutorial and you’ll learn how to easily visualize project tasks and activities as data in a matter of minutes — on smart, interactive Gantt charts using the intuitive AnyGantt extension for Qlik by AnyChart.

Watch the video tutorial:

Or read the text-and-pictures version below.

Loading Project Data in Qlik Sense

In Qlik, everything starts with the data.

We are going to create a Gantt chart based on data from an XLSX file that looks as shown below.

Showing tables with project data for visualization on a Gantt chart in Qlik Sense using the AnyGantt extension by AnyChart

The tables in the file represent the structure of a company and its project schedule. There are three departments, each of them carrying out several projects. Each task within a project is assigned to a certain employee.

First of all, we will create an app, add this data to Qlik, apply the suggested associations, and load the data.

Loading data to a Gantt chart

Then we need to make sure that Qlik established proper associations between tables.

Let’s create a sheet and add three filter panes by dropping three fields on the sheet: ‘department_name’, ‘project_name’, and ‘task_name’.

Adding three filter panes

If we switch from ‘Edit’ to ‘View’ and try to select a department and a project, we will see that associated tasks are displayed correctly.

Checking task associations

Adding Gantt Chart in Qlik Sense

Now that the data is loaded and the associations between the tables are set up the right way, we can add a Gantt chart.

Go to ‘Custom objects’, find AnyGantt, and drop a Project Chart on the sheet, below the filter panes we added before.

Adding a Gantt chart using the AnyGantt extension for Qlik Sense

Add dimensions

To configure the Gantt chart, we need to add dimensions representing the hierarchical structure of our data.

We will use the following dimensions: ‘department_name’, ‘project_name’, and ‘task_name.

Adding dimensions

Add measures

The next step is adding measures.

Let’s use the ‘start_date’ and ‘finish_date’ fields.

Adding measures

These measures do not require aggregation, so we can use either the ‘Only()’ aggregation or just the name of the field.

Map data

Then we need to make sure that AnyGantt interprets our dates correctly.

Use the ‘Map as’ drop-down menu to map the ‘start_date’ field as ‘Actual Start’ and ‘finish_date’ as ‘Actual Finish’.

As you can see, you can also map a date as ‘Baseline Start’, ‘Baseline Finish’, ‘Actual Progress’, “Baseline Progress”, or “Data Field”.

Mapping project data

Preliminary result

After these steps, we can already see a Gantt chart:

Viewing a preliminary Gantt chart result

The data grid on the left displays the hierarchy of departments, projects, and tasks.

The timeline on the right displays the duration of tasks.

Show actual progress

Let’s add one more measure, ‘progress’, and map it as ‘Actual Progress’.

Please note that you do not need to aggregate it.

Showing actual progress on task bars

Now you can see progress bars.

Result: Gantt Chart in Qlik Sense, Built with Real Ease

That is it, the Gantt chart is ready:

Resulting Gantt chart in Qlik Sense

In the ‘View’ mode, select a department or a project in a filter pane, and the Gantt chart will display the related tasks.

It is very easy!

Gantt chart in Qlik Sense built with ease using AnyGantt Extension for Qlik Sense

Questions About Charting in Qlik Sense?

If you have any questions on how to create a Gantt chart using our AnyGantt extension for Qlik Sense, or a data visualization based on any other of over 30 chart types we’ve delivered to Qlik Sense in our extensions earlier this year within the framework of our newly launched technology partnership with Qlik — drop us a note in the comments below or contact our Support Team directly.