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Templates · Project planning

Free Project Schedule Template (Google Sheets, Excel, PDF)

A project schedule template lays out every task with its duration, dependencies, start and end dates and progress, so you can see the timeline, spot the critical path and keep deadlines realistic.

Written byProject management editorial team
  • Published
  • Google Sheets · Excel · PDF
project schedule template

Free download · no sign-up

Get the project schedule template

Pick your level and format: Google Sheets, Excel or a print-ready PDF. Spreadsheets include dropdowns, formulas and sample rows you can overwrite.

Beginner

Essential columns only, one tab. Quick to fill in.

1 tab · 7 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
AdvancedMost popular

The full template with every tab, dropdowns and formulas.

1 tab · 10 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
Expert

Adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.

1 data tab + instructions, dashboard and revision history

GSheetsXExcelPPDF

Project Schedule Template preview

Schedule
IDTaskOwnerStartDuration (days)EndPredecessor% completeMilestone?Status
1Kick-off meetingPM2 Mar 202612 Mar 2026100YesDone
2Gather requirementsBA3 Mar 202657 Mar 2026160In progress
3DesignDesigner10 Mar 2026817 Mar 202620Not started
4BuildDevelopers20 Mar 2026153 Apr 202630Not started
5TestQA10 Apr 2026615 Apr 202640Not started
6LaunchPM20 Apr 2026120 Apr 202650YesNot started

Sample rows are examples: replace them with your own.

What's included

  • Tasks, owners, start dates, durations, auto-calculated end dates, predecessors, % complete, milestones and status
  • Schedule: ID, Task, Owner, Start, Duration (days), End, Predecessor, % complete, Milestone?, Status

How to use the project schedule template

  1. List tasks in order, using your work breakdown structure as the source.
  2. Enter each task's start date and duration; the end date calculates automatically.
  3. Record predecessors to show task dependencies.
  4. Flag milestones and assign owners.
  5. Update % complete and status weekly, and adjust later dates when a predecessor slips.

Tips for getting the most from it

  • Find the longest chain of dependent tasks: that is your critical path.
  • Add buffers to risky tasks.
  • Baseline the schedule once approved.
  • Show it as a Gantt chart for stakeholders.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What is a project schedule template?

A project schedule template lists tasks with durations, dependencies, start and end dates and progress so you can plan and track a project's timeline.

Is this project schedule template free?

Yes. The project schedule template is free in Google Sheets, Excel and PDF.

How do I create a project schedule with the project schedule template?

List tasks, estimate durations, add dependencies and start dates, then let the template calculate end dates.

Can I use the project schedule template in Excel?

Yes. The .xlsx project schedule template works in Excel with date formulas.

Is there a project timeline template in Excel?

Yes. This project schedule template doubles as a project timeline template in Excel; pair it with the Gantt chart template for a visual view.

What is a workback schedule template?

A workback schedule starts from the deadline and works backwards; use this project schedule template by entering the last task first and counting back.

How is a project schedule template different from a project plan template?

A project schedule focuses on time and sequence; a project plan also covers goals, scope, budget and governance.

Does the project schedule template show the critical path?

It records predecessors so you can identify the critical path; scheduling software calculates it automatically.

How often should I update a project schedule template?

Update the project schedule weekly, or more often on short projects.

Can I share the project schedule template with my team?

Yes. Use the Google Sheets project schedule template to share a live version.

What is the difference between the beginner, advanced and expert project schedule template?

The beginner project schedule template keeps only the essential columns on one tab; the advanced version is the full template with every tab, dropdown and formula; the expert version adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.