Here's my data:

Task Start Date Duration (in days)
------ ------------ --------------------
A 01-Dec-2005 1
B 02-Dec-2005 3
C 05-Dec-2005 4
D 09-Dec-2005 2

What I'm hoping I can create in excel is a basic graph (in the form of a
basic Gant Chart) that would have the X-axis be the 'Date', the Y-axis
represent the task, and the plotted data be a 'floating' horizontal bar graph
of duration.

For example... Task 'A' would be the highest bar on the Y-axis, starting on
Dec. 1 extending horizontally rightwards for 1 day. Then, the bar below 'A'
would be Task 'B', starting on Dec. 2nd, and extending rightwards for 3 days,
and so on.

Is this possible would excels graphing wizard?

Many thanks for the assistance.

You will need a stacked bar chart for this. The trick is to use the
starting dates as the first bar and make it colorless so that it does
not appear. Depending on your version of Excel and the whims of the
chart wizzard you might not necessarily get what you want, so perform
the following steps.
1. No need to change your data as they are. The layout is perfect.
2. Select task names and start dates and start chart wizard. Choose bar
chart, the second option for sub-type.
3. In the second step, make sure data is in columns, then go to the
series tab. Values should contain the start cells and X-axis labels the
task id cells.
4. Still in the series tab, click ADD series. For values supply the
duration cells and for labels again the task ids.
5. Once finishing with the wizard, format the graph as needed. Double
click the first series and make it colorless and if necessary, double
click the horizontal axis to change the scale.

HTH
Kostis Vezerides