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How To Create A Project Timeline In Excel (With Templates!)

Content Manager

March 12, 2024

Want to learn how to create a timeline in Excel ?

A project timeline is a record of all the important events and milestones in a project. 

And like it or not, Microsoft Excel is still a commonly used tool for this purpose.

In this article, you’ll learn about what a project timeline is, how to create one in Excel, and a better alternative to the process!

What Is A Project Timeline?

How to create a project timeline in excel, 3 excel project timeline templates, 3 limitations of using excel to create a project timeline , create effortless project timelines with clickup, the time’s up for excel project timelines.

Let’s get started!

A project timeline chart is a visualization of the chronological order of events in a project. It’s a series of tasks (assigned to individuals or teams) that need to be completed within a set time frame. 

Here’s what a comprehensive project timeline chart contains:

• Tasks in various phases
• Start date and end date of tasks 
• Dependencies between tasks

In short, it’s something your project team will refer to track what’s done and what needs to be done . 

There are two main approaches to create a timeline in Excel. 

Let’s dive right in. 

1. SmartArt tools graphics

SmartArt tools are the best choice for a basic, to-the-point project timeline in Excel. 

Here’s how you can create an Excel timeline chart using SmartArt. 

• Click on the Insert tab on the overhead task pane
• Select Insert a SmartArt Graphic tool
• Under this, choose the Process option
• Find the Basic Timeline chart type and click on it
• Edit the text in the text pane to reflect your project timeline

Add as many fields as you want in the SmartArt text box by simply hitting Enter in the text pane to open up the respective dialog box.

Excel also lets you change the SmartArt timeline layout after you’ve inserted the text. 

You can change it to a:

• Basic bar chart
• Stacked bar chart

And of course, feel free to play around with the Excel chart color schemes in the SmartArt Design tab. 

A SmartArt graphic is perfect for a high-level project timeline that displays all the important milestones. However, it may not be sufficient to display all the tasks and activities that lead up to them. 

For this, your Excel dashboard will need something more complex: like a scatter plot Excel chart. 

2. Scatter plot charts

Scatter plot charts display every complex data point at one glance. 

First, lay the foundation for the chart by making a data table with basic information such as:

• Task (or milestone) name
• Priority level (1-4, in increasing order)

When you add dates, make sure your cells are formatted to reflect the correct date format. For example, DD/MM/YYYY, MM/DD/YYYY, etc.

Here’s what a sample data table looks like:

To generate a scatter plot chart from this:

• Drag and select the data table
• Click on the Insert tab in the top menu
• Click on the Scatter chart icon
• Select your preferred chart layout

Format this basic scatter chart to show your data even more clearly:

• Select the chart
• Click on the Chart Design tab on the overhead task pane
• Click on the Add Chart Element icon in the top left corner
• Add a Data Label and Data Callout
• Edit the chart title

Keep exploring to customize the scatter plot chart further. 

While scatter plot charts are slightly more complex than a SmartArt graphic, they may still not be enough for your horizontal timeline. 

And let’s not forget that the purpose of a project timeline is to manage time on a project. How’s one supposed to do that while attending Excel 101 classes to create a simple chart?

The answer lies in using a project timeline template :

Don’t we all know an Excel wizard? 

Someone who makes us feel like we skipped a class?

Well, now you can be one of them too!

Thankfully you won’t have to read moth-eaten books and sit in ancient libraries to become an Excel expert. 

Just let an Excel project timeline template do the magic. 

1. Excel Gantt chart timeline template

2. Excel timeline template for milestones

3. Excel project schedule template

An Excel template should ease your project timeline worries. For some time . 👀

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the long-term issues of Excel project management : 

Excel is like the old t-shirt that you never want to give away. 

Why should you? 

It fits you just right and has the coolest hashtags!

But if you want to achieve audacious goals, you’ll need to move beyond both of them. 💔

Here’s why you need to move on from Microsoft Excel for your project timeline needs. 

1. No individual to-do lists

Sure, being able to access gigantic spreadsheets and data series with conditional formatting is great. 

But you know what’s better? 

Something that tells you what you need to do. 

After all, Excel can’t help you build a functional to-do list and assign it to individual team members. 

Unless your idea of a team meeting is looking into your spreadsheet’s soul with a magnifying glass, Excel won’t cut it for to-do lists . 

However, let’s say you physically type out each person’s deliveries in a sheet, you still have the problem of…

2. Manual follow-ups

In the age of customized app notifications and uber-smart reminders , Excel project management depends on manual follow-ups. 

What will your strategy be? Email colleagues, conduct hourly check-ins, or tap on everyone’s shoulders to ask if they’re done with their task. 🤯

Not only is it terribly inconvenient (and frankly annoying) it gives you no idea about your project’s progress. 

3. Non-collaborative

Do you work in a non-hierarchical Agile environment where the whole team is involved in the decision-making process?

Well, guess what? 

An Excel file can’t handle this. 

Microsoft Excel (and other MS tools like Powerpoint) believe in single ownership of documents with limited support for collaboration. 

And that’s hardly the complete list of why Excel can’t deliver. 

Read all about why Excel project management SHOULDN’T be your go-to solution . 

Luckily, we can point you in the direction of smoother workflows and efficient project management. 

Check out ClickUp!

Excel is a smart, handy tool that’s also occasionally clunky and very intimidating. 

But what if you could have a tool that can do everything Excel does, except far better? 

The answer is ClickUp!

It’s an award-winning project management tool that ensures end-to-end project management without the need to toggle between windows. 

Just use the Timeline view , Gantt Chart , and Table view to get a complete picture of your project timeline on ClickUp. 

1. Timeline view 

ClickUp’s Timeline view is for those who want more from their timelines!

It gives you more tasks per row and more customization options than you can imagine. 

2. Gantt chart view 

If you’re plotting a project timeline, chances are you’re also plotting a Gantt chart. 

It’s one step above a linear timeline as it lets you visualize project progress (as opposed to just the scheduled tasks) and trace dependencies clearly.  

And with ClickUp on your side, it’s never been easier to create a Gantt chart!

Simple Gantt Chart Template by ClickUp

Use ClickUp’s Simple Gantt Chart Template is a great way to plan out tasks and estimate how long they will take.

Easily view the relationships between tasks in an easy-to-read timeline, so you can quickly adjust resources when needed. Plus, all changes are synchronized across teams, making it simple to stay up-to-date with everyone’s progress.

Make the most of your Gantt chart experience by managing Dependencies . 

• Draw lines between tasks to schedule project dependencies
• Reschedule them with drag and drop actions
• Delete them by hovering over and clicking on the dependency line and then selecting Delete

Find out the progress percentage of your project by hovering over the progress bar. 

3. Table view

You may be wondering, “Hey, that all sounds good, but Microsoft Excel feels like home.” 

That’s why we have the ClickUp’s Table view . 

It’s a condensed look at your project timeline. 

But you can also enhance it to show as much background information as you want. 

Amp up your spreadsheet experience with these functions:

• Drag to copy your table and paste it into any Excel-type software
• Pin columns and change the row height for handy data analysis
• Navigate the spreadsheet with keyboard shortcuts

Deadlines, coordination, reviews.  Project time management is an endless struggle. And your project timeline is the one tool that helps you consistently navigate this. 

Excel may seem like a simple way out, but it’s not the friendly, long-term companion it promises to be. 

Try ClickUp for free today . 

Related readings:

• How to create a timesheet in Excel
• How to calculate time in Excel
• How to create a form in Excel
• How to make a calendar in Excel
• How to create a Kanban board in Excel
• How to create a mind map in Excel
• How to create a KPI dashboard in Excel
• How to create a flowchart in Excel
• How to create a database in Excel
• How to Display Work Breakdown Structures in Excel

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How To Create A Project Timeline In Excel (+ free templates)

You can create a timeline graphic in Excel by using the following methods:

• Using a pivot table
• Scatter charts
• Timeline templates

In this blog post, we provide an in-depth, step-by-step process on how to create a timeline in Excel using all these four different techniques.

By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to make a project timeline in Excel to visually communicate your project’s schedule with stakeholders.

How to Create a Timeline in Excel Using SmartArt (And Why)

For starters, what are SmartArt graphics?

SmartArt graphics timeline in Excel: for what purpose?

Microsoft Excel’s SmartArt tools make it reasonably straightforward to create a project timeline .

Now, while SmartArt timelines can be a valuable tool to communicate a project’s roadmap to stakeholders, they are also limited; you can only create simplistic timelines to visualize the milestones of a project.

In short, SmartArt timelines are okay for simple reporting purposes but not to work with.

Create your SmartArt timeline

• Open a blank Excel worksheet. Click Insert tab > SmartArt > Process.

• Then select Basic Timeline from the Graphic options. You may also choose other graphics templates that suit your needs.

• Add data from the timeline (start date, milestones, end date, etc.) either in the provided text pane or directly on the timeline.

• Excel also allows you to change the style of a timeline. To do so, simply right-click to change the theme style, fill color, and outline styles.

And you’re all set. 

Your simplistic Excel SmartArt timeline should be ready!

If you’re after something more usable than SmartArt, you may be interested in building a scatter chart.

How to Create an Excel Timeline Using a Scatter Chart (And Why)

Creating a project timeline using Excel SmartArt may not be the best choice for your team’s needs. 

Are you looking for something with a little bit more functionality?

If that’s the case, then scatter chart timelines might be more suitable for you.

Scatter chart timelines in Excel: why?

Scatter charts provide a simple way to visualize various data points over a specific period.

For instance, you could use a scatter chart to visualize the due date for all milestones of a project, along with the time or effort needed to achieve them.

This is something that a basic SmartArt timeline can’t deliver.

Here again, you can choose from and edit the many charts available in Microsoft Excel to represent a simple project timeline that will suit your needs.

In short: scatter chart timelines are a viable option to plan simple projects that don’t require much resourcing.

Create your scatter chart timeline in Excel

This guide is a bit longer, but stick to our steps, and you’ll be fine. 

• First, open a blank Excel file.
• Then, prepare your chart data.

For this chart, we’ll create milestones for a website design project and attribute a due date and an estimated effort for each.

• Next, insert a scatter chart from Insert > Charts. Then select the scatter option.

Now, we need to map our prepared data to the chart.

• Right-click on the scatter chart. Then click the Select Data option.

• In the dialog that pops up, click on the Add button in the Legend Entries section.
• Set the Due Dates range as Series X values, and the Efforts range as the Series Y values.

• Next, make our chart look like a timeline and disable the Primary Vertical Axis, Chart Title, and Gridlines chart elements.

• To display the timeline markers, check the Error Bars option in Chart Elements.

• Then to format the error bars, click on Chart Elements > Error bars > More Options.
• For horizontal error bars, set the End Style to No Cap and the Error Amount > Percentage to 0%.

• For vertical error bars, set the Direction to Minus and the Error Amount > Percentage to 100%.

• To display the milestone labels, enable Data Labels from Chart Elements > Data Labels. Then click on Data Labels > More Options.

• Enable the Value From Cells option and select the range of milestone names from our prepared data. Uncheck the Y Value option.

Hats off to you! You made it! Your Excel timeline using a scatter chart is ready.

Now, if you don’t want to bother creating your own Excel timeline charts from scratch (I can’t blame you there) an alternative is to make your timelines using Excel templates.

How to Create an Excel Timeline Using Pivot Tables (And Why)

Another way to create timelines in Excel is by using pivot tables. 

Pivot tables timelines make it easier to visualize time-based data so you can plan your projects better. 

You want more functionality than SmartArt timelines. But don’t want to go through all the steps listed in Scatter chart timelines. 

Then Pivot Tables timelines might work for you. 

Pivot tables timelines in Excel: why?

A PivotTable timeline in Excel lets you filter dates easily. 

Instead of changing filters, you can use a slider control to focus on the time period you want. 

It’s a dynamic tool that makes zooming in on specific dates simple and quick.

You can also customize your Pivot tables timelines. Move them around and easily, change colors, sizes, and styles.

Create your pivot table timeline in Excel

• To see the PivotTable Analyze tab, click anywhere inside the pivot table.

• Click on PivotTable Analyze to open the toolbar that lets you edit data inside the table. 

• Click on Insert Timeline.

• A dialog box will appear that shows the fields corresponding to data formats. Select the applicable field and click OK.

• Click the arrow next to Months to select the filter scale.

• Click a time section to see only data from that selected section. 

To see more sections at once, click and drag the gray handles next to the section.

How to Create a Timeline in Excel Using Timeline Templates

Excel timeline templates are readily available in Microsoft Office’s Template Library .

Note that some of these templates will only be available once you purchase a Microsoft Office 365 subscription. However, the vast majority of them are available free of charge.

In short, use ready Excel templates to create simple project timelines to avoid building them yourself.

Let’s look at how to create a timeline in Excel using a template.

Create your timelines with Excel Templates

• Download the free “Project timeline with milestones” template from the Office template library.

• Open the downloaded template in Excel and update your milestone data in the Project Milestones section. Set the milestone due date, milestone description, the person responsible, and the milestone label position.

As you update your project milestone data, the milestone chart above it automatically updates.

This is most likely the fastest way to build a decent timeline on Excel, especially if you don’t want to bother creating one from scratch on your own.

Now, you’ve probably noticed that while Excel makes it possible to create project timelines, it’s not ideally cut out for it.

Other downloadable Excel project timeline templates

If creating a project timeline by using Excel templates sounds good but you want some more downloadable templates to choose from, here are two great options.

Gantt chart Excel template

This free Vertex42 Gantt Chart template allows you to create detailed project schedules in just a few clicks so you can rapidly kick off your project.

Get this template !

Project schedule Excel template

The second downloadable project timeline template that we have for you allows for great customization and provides a simple way to create project timelines.

With these free templates at your fingertips, you are now closer to creating efficient project timelines that boost productivity and organize your team’s workflows. 

If you want to dig deeper into Excel timelines, here are some pros and cons.

Pros and cons of Excel timelines

As mentioned earlier, a timeline is a powerful visual tool for project managers.

In the early stages of a project, it helps to communicate a project’s roadmap . And in the later stages, it allows project managers to plan and track project schedules, allocate resources, and manage deliverables.

Pros of Excel timelines

The most significant advantage of using Microsoft Excel to create a timeline is that it’s easily available:

• Anyone with a computer, a smartphone, or a tablet can use Excel . It’s relatively affordable and doesn’t require a beast of a computer to run properly.
• You probably already have access to it. If you already have access to the MS Office Suite, you won’t need to spend anything extra.
• Your team is most likely Excel literate (up to a certain degree). If your team members are already comfortable using Excel, you won’t need to spend time training and onboarding them on the tool.
• You can find a ton of free Excel templates online. Using these templates, it’s reasonably easy to create a timeline in Excel.

Cons of Excel timelines

Don’t get me wrong; I love Excel (there’s a reason why I’ve decided to write this step-by-step blog post).

And if you are seriously considering using Excel as your project timeline maker, know that I’ve been in your position, and I’d rather tell you why it might drive you crazy.

• Excel lacks collaborative features. You cannot work with another team member on a project’s schedule unless you both sit right next to each other. As a result, it is tough for distributed teams to plan together.
• You can’t ensure data integrity. It’s (way too) easy for anyone to wrongly update or delete data from an Excel document, making it hard to keep track of who did what, where, and when.
• Version soup. “Oh shoot, I thought we were working from the Team Planning V12_new.xls?” Team members will eventually work on different versions of Excel spreadsheets. From experience, I know that combining data from these versions can quickly become chaotic.

To sum up, Excel is OK for small and simple projects. You will need something else for anything bigger because Excel timeline templates are too basic and aren’t really teamwork-friendly. 

Excel alternative for creating timelines

What about larger projects that require more complex functionalities?  

For that, you may want to use a project planning tool like Toggl Plan .

Toggl Plan is an easy-to-use SaaS with a drag-and-drop interface that provides a clear overview of who’s doing what and when, well ahead of time. 

With Toggl Plan, users can create visually appealing project timelines easier and faster so that teams work at capacity and deliver projects on time, without stressing about it.

Create beautiful timelines for complex projects

Excel’s timelines can be helpful — but they are too simplistic and can be darn hard to read. We built Toggl Plan’s timeline to become the only tool you need to plan and visualize your projects.

Don’t overwork yourself or your team

One of the advantages of planning well ahead of time is to anticipate how much work you and your team can take.

In Toggl Plan, you’ll be able to see how busy everyone is in the blink of an eye, thus making it more convenient to move tasks around and make sure that no one in your team works silly hours.

Collaborate with your teammates

While you can benefit from it as a single user, we actually built Toggl Plan for teams.

When working together, you can leave comments, create and assign tasks, move tasks around, adjust how long it took to complete a project, etc. 

In other words, Toggl Plan enables teamwork.

Drag and drop your projects

While Excel is most likely the most comprehensive software out there, it’s not user-friendly. One of the things that I dislike most about it is the impossibility of just dragging and dropping items.

In Toggl Plan, you can simply drag and drop your tasks.

Painless. Fast. Easy.

Long story short, Toggl Plan makes project planning and work management bliss. Now, hold your horses because the best is yet to come. If you’re an individual user, Toggl Plan is free forever.

Sign up for a 14-day free trial and start creating project timelines easier and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Excel project timelines.

Q1. What is a timeline in Excel?

A timeline in Excel is a visual representation of data in chronological order created using multiple chart types like scatter charts or line charts. Excel timelines are simple ways to schedule and organize workloads for small teams that don’t require complex functionalities. 

Q2. How do I create a Gantt timeline in Excel?

You can either do it manually or use a Gantt project-planner template for Excel and speed up the process.

Q3. How do I create a PivotTable timeline?

You can create a PivotTable timeline by clicking on a cell in your PivotTable and then on Insert Timeline in the Analyze tab. A dialog box with date fields will appear that you need to check and then click OK.

Q4. What is the difference between a timeline and a slicer in Excel?

A timeline only lets you filter data based on date or time values, while a slicer is a more general filtering tool that allows you to filter any type of data.

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Free Business Plan Excel Template [Excel Download]

Written by Dave Lavinsky

A business plan is a roadmap for growing your business. Not only does it help you plan out your venture, but it is required by funding sources like banks, venture capitalists and angel investors.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

The body of your business plan describes your company and your strategies for growing it. The financial portion of your plan details the financial implications of your business: how much money you need, what you project your future sales and earnings to be, etc.

Below you will be able to download our free business plan excel template to help with the financial portion of your business plan. You will also learn about the importance of the financial model in your business plan.

Download the template here: Financial Plan Excel Template  

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Our business plan excel template includes the following sections:

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Example 5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

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Example 5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

Download the template here: Business Plan Excel Template 

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The importance of the financial model in your business plan.

A solid financial model is a critical component of any well-prepared business plan. It provides a comprehensive and detailed projection of your business’ financial performance, including revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability. The financial model is not just a mere set of numbers, but a strategic tool that helps you understand the financial health of your business, make informed decisions, and communicate your business’ financial viability to potential investors, lenders, and other stakeholders. In this article, we will delve into the importance of the financial model in your business plan.

• Provides a roadmap for financial success : A well-structured financial model serves as a roadmap for your business’ financial success. It outlines your revenue streams, cost structure, and cash flow projections, helping you understand the financial implications of your business strategies and decisions. It allows you to forecast your future financial performance, set financial goals, and measure your progress over time. A comprehensive financial model helps you identify potential risks, opportunities, and areas that may require adjustments to achieve your financial objectives.
• Demonstrates financial viability to stakeholders : Investors, lenders, and other stakeholders want to see that your business is financially viable and has a plan to generate revenue, manage expenses, and generate profits. A robust financial model in your business plan demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of your business’ financials and have a plan to achieve profitability. It provides evidence of the market opportunity, pricing strategy, sales projections, and financial sustainability. A well-prepared financial model increases your credibility and instills confidence in your business among potential investors and lenders.
• Helps with financial decision-making : Your financial model is a valuable tool for making informed financial decisions. It helps you analyze different scenarios, evaluate the financial impact of your decisions, and choose the best course of action for your business. For example, you can use your financial model to assess the feasibility of a new product launch, determine the optimal pricing strategy, or evaluate the impact of changing market conditions on your cash flow. A well-structured financial model helps you make data-driven decisions that are aligned with your business goals and financial objectives.
• Assists in securing funding : If you are seeking funding from investors or lenders, a robust financial model is essential. It provides a clear picture of your business’ financials and shows how the funds will be used to generate revenue and profits. It includes projections for revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability, along with a breakdown of assumptions and methodology used. It also provides a realistic assessment of the risks and challenges associated with your business and outlines the strategies to mitigate them. A well-prepared financial model in your business plan can significantly increase your chances of securing funding as it demonstrates your business’ financial viability and growth potential.
• Facilitates financial management and monitoring : A financial model is not just for external stakeholders; it is also a valuable tool for internal financial management and monitoring. It helps you track your actual financial performance against your projections, identify any deviations, and take corrective actions if needed. It provides a clear overview of your business’ cash flow, profitability, and financial health, allowing you to proactively manage your finances and make informed decisions to achieve your financial goals. A well-structured financial model helps you stay on top of your business’ financials and enables you to take timely actions to ensure your business’ financial success.
• Enhances business valuation : If you are planning to sell your business or seek investors for an exit strategy, a robust financial model is crucial. It provides a solid foundation for business valuation as it outlines your historical financial performance, future projections, and the assumptions behind them. It helps potential buyers or investors understand the financial potential of your business and assess its value. A well-prepared financial model can significantly impact the valuation of your business, and a higher valuation can lead to better negotiation terms and higher returns on your investment.
• Supports strategic planning : Your financial model is an integral part of your strategic planning process. It helps you align your financial goals with your overall business strategy and provides insights into the financial feasibility of your strategic initiatives. For example, if you are planning to expand your business, enter new markets, or invest in new technologies, your financial model can help you assess the financial impact of these initiatives, including the investment required, the expected return on investment, and the timeline for achieving profitability. It enables you to make informed decisions about the strategic direction of your business and ensures that your financial goals are aligned with your overall business objectives.
• Enhances accountability and transparency : A robust financial model promotes accountability and transparency in your business. It provides a clear framework for setting financial targets, measuring performance, and holding yourself and your team accountable for achieving financial results. It helps you monitor your progress towards your financial goals and enables you to take corrective actions if needed. A well-structured financial model also enhances transparency by providing a clear overview of your business’ financials, assumptions, and methodologies used in your projections. It ensures that all stakeholders, including investors, lenders, employees, and partners, have a clear understanding of your business’ financial performance and prospects.

In conclusion, a well-prepared financial model is a crucial component of your business plan. It provides a roadmap for financial success, demonstrates financial viability to stakeholders, helps with financial decision-making, assists in securing funding, facilitates financial management and monitoring, enhances business valuation, supports strategic planning, and enhances accountability and transparency in your business. It is not just a set of numbers, but a strategic tool that helps you understand, analyze, and optimize your business’ financial performance. Investing time and effort in creating a comprehensive and robust financial model in your business plan is vital for the success of your business and can significantly increase your chances of achieving your financial goals.

How-To Geek

How to create a project timeline in microsoft excel.

Save time and money by creating a simple project timeline in an application you already use.

Quick Links

Create a project timeline using smartart, create a project timeline using a template.

Are you managing a small project or tasked with creating a timeline for one? Without extensive tools like a Gantt chart or expensive software like Microsoft Project , you can create a simple project timeline right in Microsoft Excel.

A basic project timeline shows milestones or tasks with dates in chronological order. This allows you or your audience to see the entire project at a glance and in one spot. Using a SmartArt Graphic built into Excel or a free downloadable template, you can create a timeline for your project to show exactly what's necessary.

While this tutorial walks you through creating a project timeline in Excel, you can use the same features and steps to make that timeline in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint instead.

If you're not familiar with the SmartArt Graphic tool in Microsoft Office, this handy feature helps you build and insert items in your documents. From a pyramid to a matrix to a stylized list, SmartArt Graphics give you a head start on visuals.

Related: How to Create and Insert a Pyramid in Microsoft PowerPoint

Open Excel to the sheet where you want your timeline. Go to the Insert tab, click the "Illustrations" drop-down arrow, and pick "SmartArt."

When the Choose a SmartArt Graphic window opens, select "Process" on the left. On the right, find and select the Basic Timeline, then click "OK." If you prefer, you can pick the Circle Accent Timeline for a fancier visual.

The Basic Timeline graphic will pop into your sheet for you to add your items. The essential elements of this timeline include blue dots for the milestones or dates with boxes for the corresponding text. You can also add tasks or activities as bullet points within each text box.

Customize the Timeline

As you add your text, the boxes adjust to accommodate the size. So you save time from formatting them yourself. Plus, you can also add more shapes to lengthen your timeline or change the direction of the arrow easily.

Related: How to Create a Timeline in Microsoft PowerPoint

Rather than working with the actual graphic for items, you might try the super simple Text Pane tool. This allows you to add your timeline items, including bullet points , within a small window.

To open the tool, select the timeline graphic, go to the SmartArt Design tab, and click "Text Pane" on the left side of the ribbon. Alternatively, click the arrow on the left border of the timeline graphic.

When the Text Pane opens, create your timeline in an outline format using these actions:

• Add a shape : Go to the item before the new shape, press Enter or Return, and type the item.
• Insert a bullet : Press Enter or Return after the item containing the list, press Tab to indent, and type the first bullet item. Alternatively, type the first bullet item, right-click, and choose "Demote."
• Remove an item : Delete the item using your Backspace or Delete key.
• Rearrange items : Right-click an item you want to move and choose "Move Up" or "Move Down."

You can also use the tools in the ribbon on the SmartArt Design tab to customize the timeline. On the left, you can add a shape, insert a bullet, change the arrow direction, rearrange items, and demote or promote items.

Moving to the right, you can choose a different layout, change the colors, or pick a different style.

You can also select items on the timeline, such as text boxes, and use the Home tab to format the font differently. Or, right-click the graphic, select "Format Object," and use the Format Shape sidebar to add a border, fill color, or shadow.

For a nice, basic project timeline, the SmartArt Graphic in Excel is a good option.

If you're looking for a project timeline with more detail or pizzazz, you can check out one of Microsoft's timeline templates. One example is this free Project Timeline With Milestones .

Once you download the template , simply enter the dates and milestones for your project in the table at the bottom. Use the Position column of the table to place the text for the milestones above (positive number) or below (negative number) the line.

To lengthen the timeline, just add more rows to the table . To shorten it, delete rows from the table.

As you make changes to the table, you'll see the timeline update immediately. This template gives you a quick and easy way to create an attractive timeline for your project.

When you need to create a simple project timeline, Excel gives you two easy ways to do it depending on the appearance and details you need.

Related: How to Add or Delete Columns and Rows in a Table in Microsoft Excel

Customizable project timeline and roadmap templates

Plotting your course isn't just clarifying, it can be captivating too. build your next project timeline or roadmap using designer-developed, customizable templates. no matter what kind of project you're planning or managing, there's a timeline template that'll keep you on track..

Show your plan at a glance with timeline templates

Don't waste any time—start your next project plan or production roadmap with a timeline template. Timelines are a great way to visually organize your thoughts, plotting each step that you plan to execute. Making planners and trackers into timelines is a snap when working with templates. You can also use timeline templates to show how far a project has come along, every milestone accounted for. Small businesses can find timelines helpful for pitching new business during presentations as well as planning new products. And adding a timeline to a wedding save the date or an invitation is a great way to let guests know everything they can look forward to during your celebration. Timelines aren't just for project planning. Resumes are themselves a kind of timeline, and there are some fantastic graphic resume layouts that incorporate easy-to-read timelines that make your work history stand out.

Business Plan Timeline Template

Download this Business Plan Timeline Template Design in Excel, Google Sheets Format. Easily Editable, Printable, Downloadable.

Transform your business strategy with our Business Plan Timeline Template. Crafted for entrepreneurs and professionals, this Excel tool simplifies planning, tracking, and visualizing milestones. Streamline communication, align goals, and stay on target. Whether for startups or established ventures, this user-friendly template ensures clarity and progress. Elevate your planning game. Get started today!

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Excel Timeline Template

Use this free Timeline Template for Excel to manage your projects better.

Managing a team means controlling how they execute their work, from creating timelines for the completion of deliverables to establishing a system to track them and monitor the team’s performance. This free Excel timeline template is a versatile tool that creates a timeline for projects and organizations.

Why Use This Excel Timeline Template?

This Excel timeline template can map any activities, processes or projects that will be executed by a team over a year, allowing managers to distinguish which department or team member is responsible for what tasks.

Use the free Excel timeline to make a project timeline, a product roadmap, strategic roadmap or other types of timelines commonly used by business and non-profit organizations. Here are some examples of what an Excel timeline can be used for.

• Project Timeline: A project timeline helps estimate the total duration of a project and visualizes the order in which project tasks will be completed.
• Product Roadmap Timeline: A product roadmap is a timeline that allows product development teams to plan the activities needed to make a product from ideation to its final launch.
• Strategic Roadmap Timeline: A strategic roadmap visualizes the projects an organization will execute over time to implement its overall strategy and achieve the goals and objectives described in its strategic plan.

One of the main advantages of this Excel timeline template is that it offers multiple timeline lengths to better adjust to your planning needs, including a six-month, one-year, three-year and five-year timeline. If none of these time frames fit the project’s timeline, edit the Excel timeline template to change the date rows to visualize a larger or shorter time.

While this timeline template for Excel is useful, it’s only one of the many tools needed to manage projects. Besides timelines and schedules, there are other important areas of a project that need management, such as resources, costs, risks and tasks.

ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that can make timelines with robust Gantt charts, which an do more than static templates, such as linking dependencies, filtering for the critical path and setting baselines. Plus, there are other essential features to manage projects, such as kanban boards, project dashboards, timesheets and much more. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

Who Should Use This Excel Timeline Template?

Anyone managing any type of team can use this Excel timeline template, from small groups to business departments or even complete organizations. This timeline template can plan what teams will be working on in the future and how organizational resources will be allocated to help them execute their tasks.

How to Use This Excel Timeline Template

When first using this Excel timeline template, decide which time frame is the best fit for the projects. Choose one of its versions by clicking on the tab you wish to use.

1. Decide Who Will Execute the Work

Edit the information in the cells highlighted in yellow to indicate who will be responsible for the execution of the tasks or projects that will be represented by the timeline bars. Assign those activities to individuals or teams and use the timeline bar colors to help identify who those activities belong to.

2. List the Activities

Now identify the activities that you’d like to map in your timeline below the name of the person or team that’s assigned to. Before listing tasks and projects, you’ll need to add more rows.

To do so, simply right-click the last task of the team you’d like to assign more work to, click “Insert” and then select “Entire row” from the pop-up menu options.

3. Adjust the Bar Sizes to Represent the Duration of Activities

Now adjust the length of each of the bars that represent activities by selecting one of their corners, holding the left-click and dragging them to the desired size.

4. Identify Milestones and Deliverables

In project management, milestones are important accomplishments that can be used to summarize a complex timeline, which is a concept that can be applied to other types of timelines such as construction schedules , marketing plans, product roadmaps or strategic roadmaps.

For example, in a construction project, use a milestone chart or timeline to show project stakeholders how the project is progressing from a high-level view instead of showing them complicated construction schedules or other documentation. Use the color-coded markers to map milestones and deliverables across the Excel timeline template.

Following these steps visualizes the efforts of all team members from a high-level view, which helps ensure all projects and activities align with each other and contribute to the organization’s larger goals and objectives.

Related Templates for Excel

Dozens of project management templates for Excel can help plan, schedule and track projects. Here are some related templates used in conjunction with the Excel timeline template.

Project Timeline Template

Simply list tasks, their due dates and estimated duration and this template will automatically generate a project timeline in a Gantt chart format.

Project Calendar Template

Project calendars are another popular format for planning timelines because of their simplicity and the familiarity that most users have with them.

Resource Planning Template

Resources, such as labor, materials and equipment, are needed to execute the activities mapped on a timeline. This resource planning template helps itemize those resources and estimate their costs, which helps prepare a more accurate budget.

Excel templates are helpful, but they don’t offer all the project management features necessary to monitor project timelines. That requires a more advanced timeline management tool, such as ProjectManager. Start a free trial with ProjectManager and import the Excel templates into the software to see the difference.

ProjectManager Helps Make Project Timelines Online

ProjectManager is a project management software with advanced planning, scheduling and tracking features for creating project timelines for organizations across industries such as manufacturing, construction, IT, marketing and many others. Here are some reasons that make ProjectManager a great software solution for making project timelines.

Create Project Timelines With Multiple Project Views

ProjectManager has five main project views: Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists, spreadsheets and project calendars, allowing each team member to work with the most appropriate tools for their work. Each can help create project timelines, assign tasks to team members and track their progress.

Each of these project views has unique planning and scheduling features that can help manage projects from different perspectives. For example, Gantt charts offer a high-level view of the project timeline, while kanban boards zoom into specific details for each project task and task lists help team members track and prioritize their work. All project views update simultaneously so everyone is always on the same page.

Manage Resources and Track Costs

All of ProjectManager’s project views can assign tasks to team members, track their hours and calculate labor costs based on their pay rate. In addition, other types of resources can be scheduled for each project task and estimate their costs .

The best part is that ProjectManager’s project views sync with real-time dashboards, timesheets , and workload charts, which allows for monitoring the project’s resource utilization and comparing estimated costs against the actual costs.

Project Timeline Video

Are you looking for more information on timelines? Here’s a video from professional project manager (PMP) Jennifer Bridges, who explains key guidelines to consider when creating a timeline for a project.

Thanks for watching!

Related Content

As stated, timelines are one of the most important components of any project plan, across many industries. It’s important to understand how to make an accurate and realistic timeline and how to track it, That and much more can be learned from reading the dozens of blogs, templates and guides about project scheduling and timelines published on the ProjectManager website. Below are some links to follow.

• Free Word & Excel Templates for Business
• How to Create a Project Timeline in Excel (Free Template Included)
• Project Timeline Maker: How to Make a Project Timeline Online
• Time Estimation in Project Management: Tips & Techniques
• Project Time Management: Strategies, Tips & Tools

ProjectManager is online project management software that delivers real-time data to help you better monitor and track your project timelines. Choose from a variety of tools to schedule your projects such as Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists and project calendars and then use live dashboards and dynamic reporting to keep stakeholders informed. To streamline your processes and work more efficiently, try ProjectManager for free today . 

Start your free 30-day trial

Deliver faster, collaborate better, innovate more effectively — without the high prices and months-long implementation and extensive training required by other products.

Timeline Templates for Excel

A timeline can be a useful way to visualize changes or events that occur over periods of time. Excel can be a great tool for creating timelines, particularly when you want to perform date calculations or take advantage of the drawing tools in Excel. See below for some example timeline templates to help you get started.

Common Uses for Timelines

• Display a project schedule . - Deliverable dates - Milestones - Task completion -
• Chronologically arrange past events . - Innovations in science between 1800 and 2000 - World history -
• Represent a person's life history . - Depiction of life events along with historical time periods or local events -
• Map historic events and time periods . - History of the universe - Theory of evolution - Geologic time -

Example Timeline Spreadsheets

Project timeline / schedule ▶.

This project schedule template can be used for creating nice looking project timelines. It is very similar to a gantt chart but it doesn't have all the features that a typical gantt chart would have.

Vertical Timeline Using Shape Objects

License : Private Use (not for distribution or resale)

Author : Jon Wittwer

Description

I like using Excel has a drawing canvas , especially for timelines, because the canvas is nearly infinite in size. A vertical timeline is easy to create using shape objects (lines, text boxes, callouts, etc.). You can use this template to give you a head start. Format a shape or callout the way you want and then use copy/paste to duplicate the shape and add your events.

Project Timeline via Drawing Tools

A Gantt chart is typically used in business and engineering to plan and schedule projects. If you need a special format for a project timeline, you can create one using the drawing tools in Excel. This spreadsheet below contains two example project schedules .

Download the Project Timeline Example (.xls)

Time Period Comparisons

In history and genealogical research, timelines are particularly useful for comparing events and people's life spans . This example spreadsheet uses stacked bar charts to compare a few different people living before and during the civil war . If you do genealogy research, you may want to try the Family Tree Template , also.

Download the Time Period Comparison Example (.xlsx)

Download for Excel 2003 (.xls)

Automated Timeline Templates

Bubble Chart Timeline Template ▶

(For Excel 2013+) Learn how to create a timeline using a Bubble Chart! The axis labels can be customized easily and the bubbles for the axis and timeline events can be different sizes.

Excel Timeline Template ▶

Create a historical or project timeline quickly and easily using this original Vertex42 timeline template. This page was originally an article explaining how to create a timeline using an XY chart and error bars for leaderlines, but now you can download the time line template and get a huge head start on your project!

Vertical Timeline ▶

Create a dynamic vertical timeline in Excel using a scatter chart, data labels, and leader lines. Download the template or follow the instructions to create the timeline from scratch.

Google Sheets Timeline Template ▶

Create a horizontal or vertical timeline in Google Sheets using a scatter chart and data labels.

Project Timeline Template ▶

Create a project timeline in Excel using a stacked bar graph and different colors for different phases or categories. Great for high-level project timelines.

Project Timeline Chart ▶

Create a project timeline showing both milestones and tasks, using a scatter chart with data labels and leader lines.

• Create a Timeline in Excel - Vertex42.com - This is my article about various techniques for creating timelines using Excel.
• Make a Timeline Using SmartArt graphics - support.microsoft.com - I haven't tried this approach yet, but it looks interesting.

Cite This Page

To reference this page, please use something similar to the following citation:

- Wittwer, J.W., " Excel Timeline Templates " by Vertex42.com

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Free Project Timeline Templates for Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and More

By Kate Eby | July 17, 2019 (updated March 23, 2024)

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We’ve compiled the most useful collection of free project timeline templates for project managers, sponsors, team members, and other project stakeholders to better track and manage their projects. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a simple project timeline template , a project milestone chart template , a weekly project timeline template , an annual project timeline template , and a multiple project timeline template , among others. We’ve also included a list of helpful tips for completing these project timeline templates .

Project Timeline Template

Download a Sample Project Timeline Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Download a Blank Project Timeline Template for Excel | Google Sheets | Smartsheet

Display key project information, like tasks and important milestones, using this simple project  timeline template. Track task start and end dates, and view them against each other in weekly, monthly, or yearly views. Color-code the tasks based on phases or categories to gain a quick overview of how your project is progressing.

You can also make your own timeline from scratch — learn how to create a timeline in Microsoft Word .

Project Timeline Presentation Template for PowerPoint

Download the Project Timeline Presentation Template for PowerPoint  

Use this simple presentation-ready project timeline presentation template to introduce key milestones to project team members and other stakeholders, or update them on project progress. Enter your project timeline details about its conception and initiation, definition and planning, the project launch and its execution, its overall performance and the project closing. With drag-and-drop project features, tasks, and milestones, this template is the perfect solution for all project team members and sponsors to ensure your project remains on track.

For Microsoft Project Gantt chart solutions and resources, learn how to create a Gantt chart in Microsoft Project .

Weekly Project Timeline Template

Download a Project Timeline Template for Excel | Microsoft Word | PowerPoint  

See your project at a glance with this timeline template designed for weekly viewing. Track each task by the week, identify who is responsible for what task, and document task names — or color-code them — with this easy-to-use, weekly project timeline template.

Project Milestone Chart Template

Download a Project Milestone Chart Template for Excel | Google Sheets | Smartsheet

Plot important project milestones and view their dates of delivery, their status, and the person responsible with this visual project milestone chart template. Stay on top of each important project date and task, and share among team members to improve visibility into how a project is progressing.

Learn how to Learn how to make a free Excel timeline template with step-by-step instructions.

Event Marketing Timeline Template

Download an Event Marketing Timeline Template for Excel | Google Sheets | Smartsheet

List all the important information for a specific marketing campaign or initiative, like campaign type, phase name, and start and end dates, so you’re always on top of the marketing projects that are going live. You can plan, track, and monitor the success of your efforts and customize the template for all sizes and types of events.

Marketing Project Timeline Template

Download a Marketing Project Timeline Template for Excel | PowerPoint | Smartsheet

Visually show each stage of your marketing plan with this colorful, customizable marketing project timeline template. Use this template to show the phases of the plan and all associated details, and present specific information to key stakeholders in order to keep them informed of your progress. With this professionally designed template, you’re bound to gain buy-in and streamline your planning process.

Simple Project Timeline Template

Download a Simple Project Timeline Template for  Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

With this simple timeline template, document tasks and subtasks, assign them to team members, and mark them off as the team completes them to stay on top of your project. Identify start and end dates for each task, and the duration will automatically be calculated (in days).

Strategic Project Planning Timeline Template

Download a Strategic Project Planning Timeline Template for  Excel | Google Sheets  

Designed to help you strategically think through and plan out your project, this timeline template highlights specific goals and tasks over a predetermined period of time. Use this template to separate tasks by category and facilitate discussion around the most important tasks and when team members should complete them.

Annual Project Timeline Template

Download an Annual Project Timeline Template for  Excel | Google Sheets  

Track every task or initiative that goes into a project on a visual, 12-month timeline, so you can better prepare for all project efforts over the course of the year. This template gives you the ability to track current projects and view past tasks in a summary view in order to assess performance and make future business decisions.

6-Month Project Timeline Template

Download a 6-Month Project Timeline Template for  Excel | PowerPoint

Track your project in increments of six months, or plan a six-month-long project, with this timeline template specifically designed for half-year-long projects. List your start and end dates and their durations, and compare them against other project tasks to get an accurate picture of how your project is progressing.

3-Month Project Timeline Template

Download a 3-Month Project Timeline Template for PowerPoint | Google Slides  

Use this presentation-ready, 3-month project timeline template to keep track of quarterly project progress, and share it with team members and other project stakeholders. The template enables you to list each task and show month-by-month progression towards completion. Use the drag-and-drop start and end-date bar charts to set task durations, and provide a status of each project’s task progress and percentage of completion. 

Download free PowerPoint project timeline templates to help ensure your team is on track.

Multiple Project Timeline Template

Download a Multiple Project Timeline Template for Microsoft Word | Google Docs

Track multiple projects’ progress across a customizable timeline with this multiple project timeline template. Create tasks for each individual project, and extend or shorten task duration with the drag-and-drop feature. The template also includes a way to add color-coded status (e.g., planning, approved, development) and risk level (high, medium, and low) so any project sponsor or team member can see how the project is doing at a glance.

Construction Project Timeline Template

Download a Construction Project Timeline Template for Excel | Google Sheets

Use this construction-specific project timeline template to schedule all your construction project’s deliverables in chronological order. The template includes editable example construction tasks (e.g., demo prep, framing, electrical) to show how you can schedule each task sequentially and keep the whole construction project moving. Plus, the built-in Gantt chart provides a visual record of each task’s due date, duration, and status.

IT Project Timeline Template

Download an IT Project Timeline Template for Excel | Google Sheets

With this project timeline template designed for IT projects, you can list sprints, assign each one to a specific team member, and track their progress. Maintain visibility into any project changes as you view the status of each sprint to ensure your time-sensitive project conforms to the proposed timeline.

What Is a Project Timeline Template?

A project timeline template is a tool that displays the project schedule, including individual tasks, key milestones, and due dates. Use the template to plan your project, and to keep team members and other stakeholders up to date on progress. 

Project managers, project sponsors, team members, and clients know that having an accurate project plan is crucial for ensuring that you proactively define the project’s objectives and goals, anticipate individual project tasks, as well as how you will implement the project. While a project plan defines all project work and the individuals who will complete it, a project timeline puts all of this information into a visually dynamic, chronological format so that you can better track and manage your project. 

Project timeline templates also include your project’s key milestones, task owners, start and end dates, and individual task statuses. A thorough project timeline template provides project managers, team members, and project sponsors with phase-by-phase and task-by-task details and their current – and collective – status, so that the project can be successfully completed on time. 

While project timeline templates may vary, most of them include the following components: 

• Project Name: Enter the name of the project. 
• Project Manager: List the name of the project manager ultimately responsible for managing project day-to-day tasks and ensuring successful project delivery.  
• Start Date: Set the project start date. 
• End Date: Set the project end date. 
• Phase Title: Enter a name for each phase or stage of your project timeline. 
• Task Name: List each individual task.  
• Assigned To: List the team member responsible for completing each individual project task. 
• Task Start and End Dates: Set the date the task owner is scheduled to begin and finish working on each individual task. 
• Duration: Review the task duration to ensure that the task owner has sufficient time to complete it. 
• Status: Provide the status for each individual task (e.g., not started, in progress, on hold, complete, etc.).  

Additionally, some project timeline templates include the following additional components: 

• Milestones: List the project’s key milestones. 
• Project Scope: Provide brief details of the scope of the project (i.e., product or project features).  
• Objectives and Goals: List the project’s key goals or objectives.   
• Task ID: Provide a unique task ID for each project task for easier task-by-task status tracking. 
• Department: List the department responsible for each project phase or individual task.  To keep track of the time spent by individual teams or department members, use one of our free timesheet templates.
• At Risk: Mark tasks that are at risk of not being completed on time, and whether this jeopardizes project delivery.  
• Sprint: If your project timeline is structured according to Agile sprints , enter the name or number of the sprint.  
• Project Notes: Provide any notes about schedule, budget, resources, risks, or other issues that may affect successful project delivery.
• Status Key: Provide a color-coded status for each project phase, feature, or task (e.g., planning, approved, development, launched). 
• Risk Level: Provide a level for any particular project phase, feature, or task that is at risk of not being completed (e.g., high, medium, low).

Create Powerful Project Timelines with Smartsheet for Project Management

From simple task management and project planning to complex resource and portfolio management, Smartsheet helps you improve collaboration and increase work velocity -- empowering you to get more done. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed.

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time. Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover a better way to streamline workflows and eliminate silos for good.

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How to Create a Timeline in Excel: SmartArt, Templates, and More

A quick tutorial for making project timelines in Excel

Last Updated: April 4, 2023 Fact Checked

Using SmartArt

Using a template, using a pivot table, using a basic spreadsheet (any version).

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith . Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 575,028 times. Learn more...

There are several easy ways to create a timeline in Excel. You can use the built-in SmartArt feature to create a timeline graphic in a variety of styles. Or, select a premade timeline template if you’re making a more complex timeline. You can also add a timeline to a pivot table or create your own timeline from scratch. This wikiHow will show you how to create a timeline in Microsoft Excel.

Things You Should Know

• Go to Insert > Illustrations > SmartArt > Process to create a timeline graphic.
• Or, create a new workbook and search for “timeline” in the template search bar.
• Add a timeline filter to a pivot table by going to PivotTable Analyze > Insert Timeline .

• SmartArt is a built-in Excel feature that makes a graphic layout that you can add data to. It does not transform your existing data.

• If you don't see this option click Illustrations in the toolbar first.

• If you're having trouble finding this option, click each of the graphics to see their names.
• You can adapt other Process graphics to use as a timeline. To see the name and description of each graphic, click its icon in the selection menu.

• To add top-level bullet points, select a bullet point and press ↵ Enter . The timeline graphic will automatically create another circle graphic on the arrow.
• To create secondary bullet points, select a bullet point and press Tab ↹ . This will allow you to add bullet points under the top-level titles.

• Change the layout. Click different layouts in the “Layouts” section. This will keep the text you’ve already entered, so you can easily see different options.
• Change the style. Click various styles to find the one that works best for your presentation.
• Change the colors. Click Change Colors to see a drop down menu with different color palettes.

• If you prefer working in PowerPoint, you can create a roadmap with milestones in that app instead.

• In older versions of Excel, you’ll see a section called “Available Templates” instead of the “Search for online templates” search box.
• Some versions of Excel will show a New from Template button.
• If your timeline tracks the progress of a branching project with many tasks, consider looking for "Gantt chart" templates instead.

• Click objects to select them. You can move the object by clicking and dragging it. Click the Format tab to edit the shape’s color, outline, and text style.
• Double-click text in the template to change the text.
• Some templates will have help text when you click objects, providing more information about that section.

• This method is great for filtering data by time and making a dynamic timeline. Pivot tables are a useful way to quickly see your information in new ways. There are plenty of interesting tricks in Excel !

• You can expand your selection by clicking and dragging the gray handles that appear next to the selection.

• This method uses the cells of the spreadsheet to create and format your own timeline. This is a good method if you’re just sharing this information with your team, rather than presenting it.

• Create a start and end column next to the milestone titles column.
• Type in the start and end dates for each milestone on your timeline.
• You can also create a notes column to include information about each milestone.

Community Q&A

• You can also use PowerPoint to make timelines. It has more graphics options, allowing you to customize your graphic with more detail. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
• If you’re looking for more Excel tips, check out how to use VLOOKUP and our IF function tutorial . Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-timeline-9c4448a9-99c7-4b0e-8eff-0dcf535f223c
• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-AU/Article/Create-a-PivotTable-timeline-to-filter-dates-d3956083-01be-408c-906d-6fc99d9fadfa

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