Some write-protected cells are grayed out in the template and require a password to enable via the Unprotect Sheet command under Changes on the Review tab. The template includes sample data that helps illustrate how it works with the help of fictitious employees bearing names like 'John Wayne' and 'Bruce Jenner.' The sample project is titled New Product Package, and it runs for four weeks, with the option to select Saturday and Sunday hours. We downloaded the template and clicked the file, which opened Excel with the template displayed.
All require Microsoft Excel 2007 or 2010. We looked at the Team Projects: Week View template, but we also verified the other downloads. In fact, it's actually available in four versions, each with its own download: Team Projects: Week View Team Projects: Day View Personal Projects: Week View and Personal Projects: Day View. But the free template offers plenty of features itself. The premium software adds several features, including custom color options and Flexible Work Days, Custom Holidays and Leave Dates, and Smart Workday Calculations. The Lite template is a free version of a premium template, Excelindo Gantt Chart. It's specifically designed to address some of the shortcomings of other free Excel templates for creating Gantt charts, such as the need to enable Macros. Project Gantt Chart is a free template for Microsoft Excel.
Gantt charts aren't essential to project planning it just seems that way.