Project Management Template with Task Dependencies
Learn how to use your Project Management Template with Task Dependencies in Excel or Google Sheets. Follow the quick start steps below, or browse the FAQs and troubleshooting tips for more guidance.
Quick Start
Follow these quick steps to start using your template right away.
Open the Gantt Tab
Start on the Gantt tab and enter your project name and tasks. Add task descriptions, durations, and any manual start dates you want to use.
Set Your Dependencies
Choose whether each task should use dependency logic by toggling Use Dependency to Yes or No. If set to Yes, select the dependency type and reference task ID. If set to No, the template will use any manual dates you enter.
View Your Project Timeline
Scroll through the timeline to see tasks scheduled automatically based on duration and dependencies. The chart updates as you add or change tasks, giving you a clear picture of your project schedule.
Template Overview
Get to know how each tab works. Every sheet in your template has a clear purpose, from setup to the final outputs that keep your project organized.
Gantt Tab
Purpose
The Gantt Tab is where you build your entire project plan using a mix of manual scheduling and automatic scheduling through task dependencies.
📅 You can set fixed start dates or link tasks together so the spreadsheet calculates the dates for you.
This gives you a flexible, dynamic way to manage projects of any size.
Why It Works
You choose how each task is scheduled:
• Manual Start Date + Duration
• Or dependency driven automatic scheduling
The template calculates all Start and End Dates and updates the Gantt bars automatically.
Turn dependencies on or off for each task. You stay in full control.
Try This in Your Template
1. Add your tasks
Enter your task Type (◯, ◆, ★) and a short description.
Use ◯ to group phases so your Gantt chart stays clean and organized.
2. Choose how each task will be scheduled
Option A: Manual schedule
If you want the task to follow a fixed date:
• Enter a Manual Start Date
• Enter the Duration
The template calculates the End Date automatically.
Use this for tasks with deadlines or immovable start dates.
Option B: Dependency based schedule
If you want the task to follow another task:
• Set Use Dependency? to Yes
• Leave Manual Start Date empty
• Enter the Duration
• Select the Dependency Type
• Enter the Dependency ID
(Remember: this is the Task ID, not the row number)
The Start and End Dates will calculate automatically based on the dependency settings.
Duration must always be entered for dependent tasks.
Understanding Task Dependencies
Dependencies let tasks connect so your schedule updates automatically without manually adjusting dates.
You define which task comes first, and the spreadsheet calculates the dates based on that relationship.
A dependency uses:
• Dependency Type
• Dependency ID
• Duration
to generate automatic Start and End Dates.
Dependency Types Explained
Finish to Start (FS)
Task B starts when Task A finishes.
The most common and simplest relationship.
Start to Start (SS)
Task B starts when Task A starts.
Finish to Finish (FF)
Task B finishes when Task A finishes.
Start to Finish (SF)
Task B finishes when Task A starts.
Rare but supported.
Key Tips
• Use ◯ to group project phases
• Use manual scheduling for tasks with fixed dates
• Use dependencies for linked tasks
• Duration must always be entered for dependent tasks
• Dependency ID must match the Task ID, not the row
• If dates look off, recheck the dependency settings