
Have you ever struggled to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and projects? That’s where Kanban boards come in. These boards help you visually organize tasks, so you know what needs to be done and what’s in progress. So, you want to know how to create an asana like board on google drive.
Now, many people use Asana, a popular project management tool. But what if you don’t want to pay for a tool? Good news! You can create your own Kanban board inside Google Drive using Google Sheets—and it’s completely free!
Why Use Google Sheets for a Kanban Board?
Feature | Google Sheets | Asana (Free Version) |
---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free (limited features) |
Customization | High | Limited |
Collaboration | Real-time | Real-time |
Automation | Yes, using formulas/scripts | Basic |
Task Management | Manual but flexible | Automated |
Google Sheets is a powerful tool for task tracking because:
- It’s 100% free (no premium plans to worry about).
- It works in real-time (perfect for teams).
- It’s customizable (unlike Asana, which has limits in the free version).
- You can automate it using built-in Google functions.
Now, let’s jump into the step-by-step process of building an Asana-like board inside Google Drive.
Step 1: Create a New Google Sheet
- Go to Google Drive and click “New” → “Google Sheets”.
- Name the file “My Kanban Board” (or whatever you like).
- Click on File → Make a Copy, so you always have a backup.
Tip: If you want, you can use a Kanban board template in Google Sheets (Google has a few free ones).
Step 2: Set Up Columns for Your Board
Your board needs columns to track tasks. You can set up columns like this:
Column Name | Purpose |
---|---|
To-Do | New tasks that need to be started |
In Progress | Tasks that are currently being worked on |
Review | Tasks that need feedback or approval |
Done | Completed tasks |
How to Set Up Columns in Google Sheets
- Click on the first row and type the column names.
- Bold the text to make it clear.
- Change the column background color to visually separate each stage (e.g., yellow for “To-Do”, blue for “In Progress”, green for “Done”).
- Adjust the column width to fit the text properly.

Step 3: Add Tasks to Your Board
Each task needs its own row. Here’s how you should organize it:
Task Name | Assignee | Due Date | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Write blog post | Sarah | Feb 10 | To-Do |
Design logo | John | Feb 12 | In Progress |
Test new website | Emma | Feb 15 | Review |
Launch campaign | Mike | Feb 20 | Done |
How to Add Tasks in Google Sheets
- Start adding tasks one by one under the “To-Do” column.
- Assign each task to someone.
- Add a due date so that everyone stays on track.
- Move tasks between columns when they progress.
Step 4: Use Conditional Formatting to Highlight Tasks
To make the board visually appealing and easy to understand, use Conditional Formatting.
How to Apply Colors to Your Tasks
- Select the task column.
- Click on Format → Conditional Formatting.
- Set rules based on task status:
- “To-Do” → Red Background
- “In Progress” → Yellow Background
- “Review” → Blue Background
- “Done” → Green Background
- Click “Done”, and now your board has an automatic color-coded system!
Step 5: Make the Board Collaborative
One of the best parts of Google Drive is real-time collaboration.
How to Share the Kanban Board with Your Team
- Click “Share” in the top right corner.
- Enter the email addresses of your team members.
- Choose the permission level:
- Editor (can edit tasks)
- Viewer (can only see tasks)
- Click “Send”.
Now, everyone can see and update the board at the same time.
Step 6: Automate Task Updates (Optional)
If you want to automatically move tasks, use Google Scripts or Checkboxes.
Easy Automation Using Checkboxes
- Create a new column called “Completed”.
- Go to Insert → Checkbox to add checkboxes.
- Set up a conditional formatting rule:
- If the box is checked, change the row color to green (indicating the task is done).
Now, whenever a task is completed, just tick the box!

Limitations of Using Google Sheets as a Kanban Board
While Google Sheets is great for tracking tasks, it does have some limitations:
- No built-in drag-and-drop feature like Asana.
- No automatic reminders (unless you use Google Scripts).
- Can get messy with too many tasks.
However, if you’re looking for a free and flexible project management tool, this method is perfect.
Conclusion: How to Create an Asana Like Board on Google Drive
You don’t need expensive software to stay organized. With Google Sheets, you can create a custom, shareable, and automated Kanban board that works just like Asana—but for free.
Final Thoughts
✔ Easy to set up (anyone can do it in minutes).
✔ Free & accessible (works on all devices).
✔ Customizable (unlike limited free versions of Asana).
✔ Collaborative (team members can update in real-time).
If you’re tired of paying for Asana or want something simple yet powerful, give Google Sheets a try!
Bonus: Free Google Sheets Kanban Board Template
Want a ready-made Kanban board? Click here to access a free template and start managing your tasks instantly.