Use a combination of positive and negative numbers to vary the heights and directions of events. Positive numbers will place events above the horizontal axis while negative numbers will place events below the horizontal axis. The numbers in this column can be positive or negative. To create a timeline chart in Excel, you need the following three columns of data:ġ) Unit of time – this column will contain units of time.Ģ) Event name – this column will contain event names.ģ) Event height & direction – this column will contain numbers that will set the heights (distance from the horizontal axis) and directions (above or below the horizontal axis) of events. A rrange your data in columns in chronological order.

To create a timeline chart in Excel, take the following steps:ġ.

If you prefer written instructions, then continue reading. Watch the video below to see how to create a timeline chart in Excel quickly and easily. In other Excel versions, there may be some slight differences in the described steps. Although Excel does not offer a built-in timeline chart type, you can quickly and easily create one yourself by formatting a column chart type. Timeline chart is most commonly in horizontal form, consisting of a horizontal axis marked with units of time and events, but can also be in various other forms such as vertical, circular, etc.

Timeline chart can also be used in other areas and professions to illustrate the chronology of key events and developments. Unlike a Gantt chart, it is not very detailed and just provides a general overview of a sequence of events over time. Timeline chart is mainly used in project management for showing milestones, deadlines and other significant dates and events of a project. The chart’s timescale can be in days, weeks, months, quarters, years or other units of time depending on the type of events shown on it. Timeline chart is a type of chart that visually shows the chronological sequence of past or future events on a timescale.

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