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Update: Gantt Charts In FileMaker

Nearly 3 years ago, Kevin McGee wrote a blog post entitled How to: Gantt Charts in FileMaker. Since then, we’ve had a lot of interest in native Filemaker Gantt charts. Today I would like to show you a sample file with a very simple Gantt chart, and explain some of the basic principles involved.

Download the sample file:
FP7 (Filemaker 11)
FMP12 (Filemaker 12) (Download the unlocked version of the Gantt Chart Solution at the bottom of the page)

Here is what the chart looks like in FileMaker 11:

gantt

This example uses no container fields and no external code. The entire chart is displayed using conditional formatting on top of repeating fields.

The chart’s date range is driven by a single global date field. This field (called zv__startDate__gd) seen in a merge field at the top left, determines the starting date of the chart. There is then a repeating global date field (zc__date__rgd) used to get each day in the chart based on that starting date. In this example, I have set the number of repetitions to 40, however this can be changed to any number.

Extend(zv__startDate__gd) + Get(CalculationRepetitionNumber) – 1

The dates displayed at the top of the chart are based on this field. A second repeating field in the Task table is used to determine if the current date of the chart falls within the start and end dates of the Task

Let([current_date = Extend(zv__startDate__gd) + Get ( CalculationRepetitionNumber )];If(current_date > Extend(startDate) and current_date < Extend(endDate) + 2; Extend(colour)))

This field sets the value of each repetition that falls within the date range to the value of the colour field. This simply prints the colour as text inside the repeating field, however once we apply some conditional formatting we can change that to fill the entire cell with the correct colour.

gantt conditional formatting

Lastly, to make the chart look a little cleaner we will need an empty repeating field to sit behind everything else and provide the styling for the background of the report. In this example, we have borders to display vertical lines down the layout denoting each day, we also have conditional formatting to make the weekends grey and the current day yellow.

GetRepetition (Task::zc__date__rgd ;Get ( CalculationRepetitionNumber )) = Get ( CurrentDate )
Let([day_name = DayName(GetRepetition ( Task::zc__date__rgd ;Get ( CalculationRepetitionNumber )))];day_name = “Sunday”orday_name = “Saturday”)

These are the basic principals used in this simple Gantt chart example. If you are looking to make your own Gantt chart, I hope that you will find at least some of this article helpful. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the section below.

Update: Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about this article. If you’re interested in getting more information or an unlocked copy of the sample files please contact me by email or leave a comment below.

Update 2: I've gotten so much positive feedback from this article, thank you to everyone who has contacted me or posted a comment. Please note that we try to get in touch with everyone who makes a comment on this article privately by email as soon as we can.

Update 3: Wow, over 100 Comments! Thanks to everyone who has continued to comment and share this article. We have created a new page that will make downloading the FileMaker solution easier. Please visit our new page if you would like to download an unlocked version of the Gantt Chart Solution.

Leave a comment

106 comments

  • james
    james 02 October 2018 Report

    done all kinds of adaptions; booking email system, online creative and much more, using search to hide expired, show certain ranges, one thing would be great to hide expired months. its been great

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  • Amanda Chua
    Amanda Chua 05 August 2018 Report

    Great information. Since last week, I am gathering details about gantt chart experience. There are some amazing details on your blog which I didn’t know. Thanks.
    Amanda |

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  • Basil Pio
    Basil Pio 04 November 2017 Report

    Can't thank you enough for providing the unlocked version for this file. I was looking at Omni Plan and Smartsheet. Both of which were overkill for what I needed not to mention expensive. I am going to try and modify it some to accommodate resources attached to tasks, would like to hear any suggestions you may have to approach this. Thanks
    again!

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  • ARTIGUES
    ARTIGUES 02 July 2017 Report

    Bravo. Depuis que j'essaye sans y parvenir! de plus il paraît simple et parfaitement lisible. Merci de me faire parvenir une copie déverrouillée.

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  • Kokorota
    Kokorota 16 May 2017 Report

    Is there a way that the gantt chart accepts certain days, like for example only mondays and wednesdays so that the gantt chart only shows colours on those days? I've tried it myself but I'm not that good in Filemaker

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  • jose juan
    jose juan 21 December 2016 Report

    Very nice job, simply and efficient.

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  • Chris Krokatsi
    Chris Krokatsi 23 September 2016 Report

    Hello, I am interested in a copy of this to use with a reservation system. please contact me. Thanks

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  • Ian Hirst
    Ian Hirst 07 September 2016 Report

    Thanks for the article Evan. May I request an unlocked copy so I can build something for my boss's delicatessen, this would be really useful for the weddings she caters.

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  • TJ
    TJ 05 September 2016 Report

    Many asked unlocked copy but any possibility?G

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  • Rain
    Rain 05 September 2016 Report

    This Gantt solution is very good, Can you please share me an unlocked file, let me study. Thank you.

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  • Rene
    Rene 05 September 2016 Report

    Great example :) I would love to have an unlocked copy for FM12 ... THANKS!

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  • Rafe Scheinblum
    Rafe Scheinblum 31 August 2016 Report

    The sample file and notes are great! I would truly appreciate an unlocked copy for FMP12 to better understand how you powered your solution.

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  • Rachel
    Rachel 13 July 2016 Report

    I would like to access your file. May I have the username and password? Thank you kindly. Rachel

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  • Benedicto Cosmas
    Benedicto Cosmas 13 July 2016 Report

    Would love to try this out, Can you please share me an unlocked copy of FM12? Thank you in advance

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  • Jorge Laespada
    Jorge Laespada 21 June 2016 Report

    From Spain. I 'm very much interested in these gantt charts. It would be great if you could send me an unlock copies of both the FMP11 and the FMP12(and+) to my mail .
    Thank you.

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  • Toshi Kume
    Toshi Kume 19 June 2016 Report

    I'm from Japan. I 'm very much interested in this gantt chart. Would it be possible to send me an unlock copy of the FMP12 or FMP13 by e-mail attached. Thanking you!

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  • james Déraps
    james Déraps 13 June 2016 Report

    can i get also a copy of the unlocked version

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  • dan
    dan 27 May 2016 Report

    can i get a copy of the unlocked version

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  • lanaclem
    lanaclem 26 May 2016 Report

    Hi, This looks great. Can I please get an unlocked copy of the FMP11 version? kr

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  • lanaclem
    lanaclem 19 May 2016 Report

    Very nice work! Could you please send me an unlocked copy for FMP 11 and 12? Many thanks

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  • Jaco
    Jaco 19 May 2016 Report

    This looks great. Can I please have an unlocked copy of the FM12 version?

    Comment Link

  • Benny
    Benny 14 May 2016 Report

    This looks good. Unlocked version would be nice if still available. Cheers

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  • Laure
    Laure 08 May 2016 Report

    Nice work. Can I please get an unlocked copy of the FM12 version? Thanks!

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  • Nick
    Nick 22 April 2016 Report

    Pretty cool example! Would it be possible to have an unlock copy?

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  • Luc
    Luc 18 April 2016 Report

    Great article. May I get an unlocked Filemaker 11 version ? Thanks.

    Comment Link

  • Nico
    Nico 18 April 2016 Report

    Loks gr8 !! May I get unlocked fmp12 file? Thanks!!

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  • John
    John 17 April 2016 Report

    Perfect article. Would appreciate an unlocked FMP12 version. Respectfully.

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  • chris
    chris 16 April 2016 Report

    Could I get an unlocked copy also? .fmp12

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  • Pablo
    Pablo 11 April 2016 Report

    Great article. May I get unlocked fmp12 file? Thanks.

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  • Pete B
    Pete B 07 April 2016 Report

    Thanks for posting, would you mind sending an unlocked version?

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  • Darryl Comley-White
    Darryl Comley-White 05 April 2016 Report

    Thanks for posting, would it be possible to get an unlocked version? - See more at: https://coresolutions.ca/blog/core-filemaker/update-gantt-charts-filemaker.php#sthash.5Kidn0fG.dpuf

    Comment Link

  • Anders
    Anders 05 April 2016 Report

    Hi, May I get an unlocked fmp12 copy of the file? Thank you.

    Comment Link

  • Lia
    Lia 26 March 2016 Report

    Hi, very interested to see how this works. Would you mind sharing an unlocked copy? Thank you.

    Comment Link

  • Dave
    Dave 23 March 2016 Report

    Looks Great, May I get an unlocked copy as well?

    Comment Link

  • TJ
    TJ 22 March 2016 Report

    Very interested in this, an unlocked version would be great, thank you.

    Comment Link

  • claudio
    claudio 21 March 2016 Report

    thanks for your work. Is possibile to get a unlocked copy of the file? tanks a lot for all.

    Comment Link

  • Educan Kenobi
    Educan Kenobi 14 March 2016 Report

    Thank by your work. I am very interested in get an unlocked copy of the sample files. Thank You

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  • Frank
    Frank 07 March 2016 Report

    Hi there, thanks for this nice tool. May I get an unlocked copy as well?

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  • Arnold
    Arnold 25 February 2016 Report

    Would like to look at a unlocked copy, thanks

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  • Eric
    Eric 25 February 2016 Report

    Très bon travail et intéressant. Avez vous une version débloquée ? Un grand merci,

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  • Hubert
    Hubert 13 February 2016 Report

    Looks great. Any unlocked copy available??

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  • John Banger
    John Banger 11 February 2016 Report

    Great Work! I would like to obtain an unlocked copy of the latest version.

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  • Hamish
    Hamish 02 February 2016 Report

    Looks perfect, how would one go about getting an unlocked copy? Truly impressive work.

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  • fkick
    fkick 27 January 2016 Report

    Thanks for posting, would it be possible to get an unlocked version?

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  • rafa
    rafa 27 January 2016 Report

    HI !!!!Congratulation. Is it possible to get an unlocked version? Thank you so much.

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  • gaizka
    gaizka 26 January 2016 Report

    Congratulation. Is it possible to get an unlocked version. Thanks a lot for help.

    Comment Link

  • Chris
    Chris 12 January 2016 Report

    Looks really interesting and something I have been trying to develop. Would appreciate an unlocked copy to understand the good work you have down. Thanks

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  • Michele
    Michele 12 January 2016 Report

    As with the other posters, would it be possible to obtain an unlocked version? Thanks much!

    Comment Link

  • Holger
    Holger 28 December 2015 Report

    Your Gantt-Solution looks very good and is what I am looking for. Congratulation. Is it possible to get an unlocked version. Thanks a lot for help.

    Comment Link

  • Isabelle
    Isabelle 16 December 2015 Report

    This is exactly what im looking for. Please I would appreciate a unlocked version. Thank you

    Comment Link