Creating a histogram

Hi Lyle,

Thank you for the forum question.

In Microsoft Project, you can create a histogram by using the Resource Graph or by exporting resource usage data into Excel to build a custom histogram. The Resource Graph gives you a direct visualization of manpower or resource allocation over time, while Excel allows more flexibility for formatting and analysis.
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Step-by-Step: Creating a Histogram in MS Project
1. Use the Resource Graph (built-in option)
• Go to the View tab in MS Project.
• Select Resource Graph.
• This view shows a bar chart (histogram-like) of resource usage over time.
• You can switch between different resources (e.g., electricians, painters, machinists) to see their workload distribution.
• Adjust the Timescale (days, weeks, months) to match your planning horizon.
• Format the graph to show Work or Units depending on whether you want hours or headcount Techwalla.
2. Export Data to Excel for Custom Histograms
• Go to Report → Visual Reports.
• Choose Resource Usage or Assignment Usage.
• Export the data into Excel.
• In Excel, use the Insert → Column Chart/Histogram option to create a histogram of manpower or resource demand.
• This method is especially useful if you want to combine multiple trades (e.g., welders + electricians) into one histogram YouTube.
3. Create a Histogram Report in MS Project
• MS Project also allows custom reports:
o Go to Report → New Report → Chart.
o Select the data field (e.g., Work, % Complete, Cost).
o Format the chart as a histogram to show planned vs. actual progress managementyogi.com.
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Why Histograms Are Useful in Machinery Space Planning
• Resource Balancing: Shows if you have too many or too few workers scheduled at the same time.
• Workload Visualization: Helps identify peaks in manpower demand (e.g., during installation phases).
• Stakeholder Communication: Provides a clear snapshot of resource requirements for managers and contractors.
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Pro Tip
If your histogram needs to show multiple trades together (e.g., electricians, welders, mechanics), exporting to Excel is often the best approach. MS Project’s Resource Graph is powerful but works best when analyzing one resource at a time.



Kind regards

Jens Bonde
Microsoft Office Specialist Trainer

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