How to Switch Between Modes
Locate the Mode Selector
The timeline mode selector is located at the top of your Gantt chart interface, prominently displayed for easy access.
Click to Switch
Simply click on either “Date Mode” or “Hour Mode” to instantly transition between the two timeline views.
When to Switch Modes
Knowing when to use each mode helps you work more efficiently:Switch to Date Mode When:
- Starting a new project that will span weeks or months
- Planning long-term milestones and deliverables
- Coordinating multiple teams across extended timelines
- Working with standard calendar schedules (Monday-Friday work weeks)
- Presenting to stakeholders who think in calendar dates
Switch to Hour Mode When:
- Entering a sprint or intensive phase requiring detailed scheduling
- Coordinating time-sensitive deliverables where hours matter
- Managing event logistics with precise timing requirements
- Tracking billable hours for client work
- Resolving scheduling conflicts that require hour-level adjustments
Example Workflow
A typical project might use both modes at different stages:- Project Kickoff: Use Date Mode to plan the overall 3-month timeline and major milestones
- Sprint Planning: Switch to Hour Mode for the upcoming 2-week sprint to assign hourly tasks
- Mid-Project Review: Return to Date Mode to assess overall progress against calendar deadlines
- Launch Week: Switch to Hour Mode for precise coordination during the critical launch phase
Data Preservation During Switch
When you switch between modes, Gantt Maker preserves your project data:What’s Preserved:
- All tasks and assignments remain intact
- Team member information including names, roles, and colors
- Task descriptions and details are maintained
- Progress status (Not Started, In Progress, Completed) carries over
- Team member assignments stay connected to their tasks
What Changes:
- Timeline granularity: Date mode shows days/weeks/months; Hour mode shows hours
- Visual scale: The chart automatically adjusts to the appropriate time units
- Time representation: Tasks display in the format appropriate for the selected mode
Auto-Saving
Gantt Maker automatically saves your work:- Changes are saved to local storage immediately
- No manual save action required
- Your data persists across browser sessions
- Switching modes doesn’t trigger data loss
Comparing Outputs in Both Modes
Viewing your project in both modes provides different insights:Date Mode Shows:
- Overall project duration in calendar time
- How work aligns with business days and weeks
- Long-term resource allocation patterns
- Milestone dates and deadline positions
Hour Mode Shows:
- Detailed workload distribution during specific periods
- Precise timing of task sequences
- Hour-by-hour resource utilization
- Exact scheduling conflicts
Using Both Views Together
Smart project managers leverage both views:- Plan in Date Mode for the big picture
- Execute in Hour Mode for detailed coordination
- Report using Date Mode for stakeholder communications
- Optimize using Hour Mode to eliminate scheduling inefficiencies
One-Click Flexibility
The ability to switch between modes with a single click means:- No commitment to a single planning approach
- Adapt to changing needs as your project evolves
- Zoom in or out depending on what you need to see
- No learning curve - both modes use the same intuitive interface
Responsive Across Devices
Mode switching works seamlessly across all devices:- Desktop: Full control with all features visible
- Tablet: Touch-optimized mode selector
- Mobile: Simplified interface maintains mode switching capability