How to Create a Timeline in PowerPoint in 2024: Examples & Templates
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When creating a graphical representation of sequential events or elements, timelines are deemed helpful tools. Arriesgado (2018) stated that a timeline is best used when showing a chronological list of events because the visual representation is simpler to follow from the beginning point to the ending point.
Provided their helpfulness in presenting information, timelines are also a Microsoft PowerPoint feature. This article talks about the process of creating a PowerPoint timeline, and also gives examples of timeline templates you can deploy in your presentations.
How to Create a Timeline in PowerPoint Table of Contents
- Steps in Making a Timeline in PowerPoint
- Newer PowerPoint Versions, Mac OS
- PowerPoint 2010, 2007
- Examples of Timeline Templates on PowerPoint
Presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides are important tools for many professionals today, as they have appeared to be effective employee engagement ideas. They have also been considered one of the top trends in higher education today. While there have been several studies on the effectiveness of PowerPoint as a presentation tool, design company Venngage found that audiences respond best to highly visual slides. In fact, a survey by the company found that an overwhelming majority of conference speakers created presentations that were highly visually focused.
PowerPoint and Slides come with a number of features to help users organize information to make it more appealing and engaging to their audience. For instance, according to Ruffini (2009), presentations with animations that are properly designed and tied to learning objectives prove to be effective teaching tools. Similarly, SmartArt content on PowerPoint presentations work great at helping students visualize content (Fisher, 2019).
Another feature of presentation software that can help users create more visually appealing presentations is the timeline feature. Timelines can be used to present a wide variety of information, including historical events, milestones, and deadlines. This article focuses on how to create timelines in PowerPoint, as well as how to insert a timeline in PowerPoint.
Steps in Making a Timeline in PowerPoint
PowerPoint comes with a built-in feature that helps users create timelines. The following instructions provide guidance on how to create a timeline in PPT, how to add a timeline in PowerPoint presentations, as well as how to create a timeline in PowerPoint with dates.
Newer Versions of Microsoft PowerPoint, MacOS
1. Click the Insert tab then click SmartArt.
2. Click Process on the list on the left side of the Choose a SmartArt Graphic window. Click either of the two choices: Circle Access Timeline or Basic Timeline.
3. Click [Text] to type or paste your text on the timeline graphic. Alternatively, you can open the text pane and type your text there.
Adding more dates to the timeline
1. Click a shape in the timeline.
2. On the SmartArt ToolsDesign toolbar, click the Add Shape option. You can choose among two options: Add Shape Before or Add Shape After.
3. Label the newly-created shape with the appropriate date.
Moving a date on the timeline
1. Click the date to be moved.
2. On the SmartArt ToolsDesign toolbar, choose Move Up or Move Down.
Changing the timeline’s look
On PowerPoint, users also have a number of options for modifying the appearance of their timelines.
- Users can choose their preferred timeline layout in the Layouts group of the SmartArt ToolsDesign toolbar. There are a number of timeline layouts available for use. A timeline for PowerPoint with images or photos, for instance, will look best on the Continuous Picture List layout.
- Users can also use the SmartArt Tools Design toolbar to change the timeline’s colors. Users can hover over available color combinations to get a preview of how the colors look in the timeline.
- The toolbar also lets users further polish the timeline with SmartArt styles, such as line style, bevels, or 3-D perspectives.
Adding animation effects to the timeline
Other than learning how to do a timeline in PowerPoint, users must also learn how to convert them into separate shapes before animation can be addedthis process is available on newer versions of PowerPoint.
1. To convert a timeline into separate shapes, right-click one of the timeline’s borders and select the Convert to Shapes option. Right-click one of the timeline’s borders again, select Group, and click Ungroup.
2. Once the timeline has been converted into separate shapes, users can apply different animations to each shape. Click the Animations tab and select your preferred effect on the Animation group.
PowerPoint 2010, 2007
1. On the Insert tab, click SmartArt in the Illustrations group.
2. In the Choose a SmartArt Graphic gallery, click Process, and then double-click to choose a timeline layout.
3. In the Text pane, click [Text] to start typing text. Alternatively, click an entry in the timeline to start typing.
Adding an entry
1. Click an existing entry closest to where the new entry is to be added.
2. Click Add Shape in the Create Graphic group of the Design tab. Choose either of the Add Shape After or Add Shape Before options.
Note: If you don’t see the Design or SmartArt Tools tabs, make sure you have selected the timeline on the slide.
Deleting an entry
Select the text you want to delete and then press the Delete key. You can also select text in the Text pane and delete it from there.
Moving an entry
1. In the text pane, select the entry to be moved.
2. Choose either of the Move Up (earlier date) and Move Down (later date) options on the Create Graphic group of the Design tab.
For PowerPoint 2007, users can move entries by dragging them to a new location. Alternatively, you can hold down the CTRL key and press the arrow keys to move an entry in small increments.
Changing the timeline’s appearance and adding animation
Older versions of PowerPoint also allow users to modify a timeline’s appearance through a number of options:
- You can change the timeline’s layout, right-click the timeline then click the Change Layout option. There are a number of Process layouts that users can choose from.
- To change the timeline’s layout, users can also click a layout option in the Layouts group on the Design tab. Hovering over a layout option shows a preview of the timeline in that layout.
- To change the colors of the timeline, click the Change Colors option on the SmartArt Styles group. Hovering over a color combination also shows a preview of the changes in the timeline.
- Users also have the option to change the line color or background color of timeline entries. Users can right-click a timeline entry and choose the Format Shape option to change the line color, line style, and background color of an entry.
- As with newer versions of PowerPoint, users can also add 3D perspectives or bevels to their timeline through the SmartArt Styles group on the Design tab.
Examples of Timeline Templates on PowerPoint
Microsoft offers a number of timeline templates that users can download and modify according to their needs. The following are some examples of free and premium templates available from Microsoft.
1. Animated timeline progression
This timeline template has a vertical layout, which works well in presenting a history of events.
2. Milestone timeline
This timeline template allows users to highlight key milestones and add short descriptions to each milestone.
3. Travel photo timeline
This is the ideal timeline template for users who want to showcase photos and images. You can also add milestones and descriptions to the photos.
How to Create Effective, Engaging Presentations
Aside from learning how to make timeline in PowerPoint, it is also important to understand how a presentation’s design can have an impact on its effectiveness and the audience. For instance, a study by Bartsch and Cobern (2003) found that PowerPoint presentations can be beneficial but material not pertinent to the presentations can be detrimental to students’ learning process. In truth, it has been a reliable aid to many educators when it comes to devising their classroom management plans.
Below are recommendations for creating more effective and engaging presentations.
- Keep slides simple. Smith (2020) explains that when it comes to presentation slides, less is more. Sticking to one color combination and a few graphics ensures that the focus is on the slide’s message.
- Make sure objects are properly aligned. Properly aligned slide elements can make a presentation look more polished and professional (Cartwright, 2019). PowerPoint has a feature that automatically aligns all objects on a slide.
- Limit bullet points and text. Another way to keep slides’ design clean and organized is to avoid placing long paragraphs of text on slides. According to Smith (2020), audiences should be listening rather than reading.
- Use visual aids to convey ideas. Visual aids like timelines and diagrams can help you effectively convey more complicated ideas. These tools can also ensure that your slides are not loaded with text and are more visually appealing.
These aside, you can also consider protecting your intellectual property by learning how to place watermarks in your PowerPoint presentation.
Key Insights:
- Importance of Timelines: Timelines are effective tools for presenting sequential events or elements, making it easier for audiences to follow the chronological order of information.
- PowerPoint Features: PowerPoint offers built-in features like SmartArt and customizable layouts that facilitate the creation of visually appealing timelines.
- Steps to Create Timelines: The article provides detailed steps for creating timelines in different versions of PowerPoint, including adding, moving, and animating dates.
- Template Examples: Various timeline templates are available in PowerPoint, such as animated progression, milestone highlights, and photo timelines.
- Design Recommendations: Effective presentation design involves simplicity, proper alignment, limited text, and the use of visual aids to enhance audience engagement and comprehension.
- Educational Impact: Studies indicate that well-designed PowerPoint presentations can significantly enhance learning experiences by providing clear and visually engaging content.
FAQ:
- How do I create a timeline in the latest version of PowerPoint? To create a timeline in the latest version of PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab, click on SmartArt, and select a timeline graphic from the Process category. Type your text directly on the timeline graphic or in the text pane.
- Can I add more dates to my timeline? Yes, you can add more dates by selecting a shape in the timeline, clicking the Add Shape option on the SmartArt Tools Design toolbar, and choosing either Add Shape Before or Add Shape After.
- How do I move a date on the timeline? To move a date, click on the date to be moved, then use the Move Up or Move Down options on the SmartArt Tools Design toolbar to reposition it.
- What options are available for changing the look of my timeline? You can change the layout, colors, and styles of your timeline using the options available on the SmartArt Tools Design toolbar. Preview different layouts and color combinations to find the best fit for your presentation.
- How do I animate my timeline entries? To animate timeline entries, first convert the timeline into separate shapes by right-clicking its border, selecting Convert to Shapes, and ungrouping them. Then, apply animations to each shape through the Animations tab.
- Are there specific templates for timelines in PowerPoint? Yes, PowerPoint offers various templates such as animated timeline progression, milestone timeline, and travel photo timeline, which you can download and customize as per your needs.
- What design principles should I follow for effective presentations? Keep slides simple with minimal text, ensure proper alignment of elements, use visual aids like timelines and diagrams, and avoid overcrowding slides with bullet points. Focus on delivering a clear and engaging message to your audience.
References:
- Arriesgado, A. (2018, August 15). How to make a timeline in PowerPoint. 24Slides.com.
- Bartsch, R. A., & Cobern, K. M. (2003). Effectiveness of PowerPoint presentations in lectures. Computers & Education, 41 (1), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1315(03)00027-7
- Create a timeline (n.d.). Microsoft Support.
- Fisher, K. (2019). ESSA, students with disabilities, and robotics. Technology and Engineering Teacher, 78 (7), 28-32. ProQuest
- Ruffini, M. F. (2009). Creating animations in PowerPoint to support student learning and engagement. Educause Quarterly, 32 (4), 1-4. EDUCAUSE
- Smith, B. (2020, May 28). 50 effective PowerPoint presentation tips (To improve your skills). Envato Tuts+.
