A timeline is essential for managing a complex project and juggling dozens of due dates. It allows you to quickly visualize the sequence of events in a project or event, and clearly convey the timing to team members.
In this article, you’ll learn how to make a timeline in Microsoft Word. You can also download a free Microsoft Word timeline template and we’ll show you how to customize it to meet your needs.
Download Our Free Timeline Template in Word
Quickly create a timeline in Word with this free template. Enter your own project information in the text boxes, change the colors, or even choose a different timeline layout.
To learn how to customize this timeline template, scroll down to the “How to Customize Your Timeline in Word” section.
Watch a free demo
How to Make a Timeline in Word
Although Microsoft Word is traditionally used to develop and edit copy, you can still create a visual timeline using SmartArt graphics. You can choose from dozens of timeline layouts and customize the colors to fit your project.
Note: We are using Windows running Word 2013 in this example.
Select a Timeline Style
Open a blank document in Microsoft Word.
You’ll see a pop-up box with different kinds of SmartArt graphics, ranging from lists to processes to pictures. You can choose any layout you like, but for this example, we’ll choose the basic timeline layout (the arrow with the dots in the middle).
Add Project Information to the Timeline in Word
The basic timeline starts off with three timeline entries, but you can add additional events on the timeline by hitting the Enter key after a bullet point in the floating box.
If you want to add two events on the same date, first type in the date in the floating box. Then, hit Enter and Tab to nest multiple tasks under the same date.
How to Customize Your Timeline in Word
Once you’ve added your project information and dates, it’s easy to modify the timeline. You can add a title, switch to a different timeline layout, and customize the color palette.
Add a Title
You’ll see a line appear with a little grey box that says Header. You’ll also see your cursor appear in the header area. Start typing your timeline’s title here.
In the Home tab, in the Fonts group, you can change the font size and color. And in the Paragraph group, you can change the alignment of the text.
Choose a Different Timeline Layout
Change the Timeline Color
How to Use Smartsheet to Make a Timeline
Here’s how to use Smartsheet and Office Timeline:
Choose a Smartsheet Timeline Template
Log in to your Smartsheet account or start a free, 30-day trial.
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Search for “timeline” and select the Project with Gantt Timeline template.
Rename the template and choose where to save it.
Enter Your Own Project Information
Assign tasks to certain team members in the Assigned To column and convey progress with the % Complete column. You can also flag at-risk tasks in the far left column.
Connect Smartsheet Data with Office Timeline
Connect information stored in Smartsheet with Office Timeline to visually highlight the most important parts of your project. The Smartsheet and Office Timeline integration allows you to easily create a customizable timeline and share the image with others as an image, .PDF, or PowerPoint slide.
Note: You must have Windows and PowerPoint to use Office Timeline. Mac users will need to run Office Timeline using a virtual machine like Parallels Desktop, Fusion, or VirtualBox.
You can get a free, 15-day trial of Office Timeline, and you can download and install the trial version here. After the trial ends, you’ll need to buy a license to continue using the Office Timeline and Smartsheet integration.
Log in to your Smartsheet account and allow access to Office Timeline.
Select the sheet you’d like to import then choose if you’d like to include or exclude certain information from your sheet.
Office Timeline will automatically generate the timeline for you. You can then change the colors, layout, symbols, font, and more.
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