How to Create a Timeline in Google Docs

1. How To Create A Timeline in Google Docs

To create a simple timeline, professionals who need to view project plans and deadlines concisely should use Google Documents' functionality and a tad bit of formatting.

Step 1

Open Google Docs on your browser and select a template from the Template gallery.

Source: Google Docs

Step 2

Enter the project's main achievements or activities in one of the columns, as seen in the picture below.

Source: Google Docs

Step 3

List a table of the project milestones and dates.

Source: Google Docs

Step 4

Keep the details of the events as brief as possible to clear the timeline.

Source: Google Docs

Step 5

Add the due date for each of the goals in the next section.

Source: Google Docs

Step 6

In Google Docs, the table also has to have a third column of plot numbers to create a timeline. Add this one next to the milestone dates, and add a series of numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4. These plotting points are used to identify the vertical location on the timeline diagram for each marker.

Source: Google Docs

Step 7

After you add in all elements, including arrows and text, you can ‘Save and Close’ your drawing, and your timeline has been created.

Source: Google Docs

Another way to make a timeline is to use the bubble chart feature. Build a simple timeline by configuring it as a Bubble Chart.

1. Pick all of the data in your table and go to Insert-> Chart on Google Docs;
2. Click the downward arrow next to the Map Editor's Map Style segment on the screen’s right-hand side;
3. Now pick the Bubble chart type under the Scatter group from the Chart Style menu, and Google will automatically create a basic timeline from your chosen data;
4. Design and scale the graphics to make them visually appealing.

It is important to note that if your graphic seems too cramped or any milestone titles overlap, resizing it can make it better.

2. More Easier Way to Create A Timeline

Step 1

Open EdrawMind on your desktop or laptop -> and select the “Horizontal Timeline”, “Winding Timeline”, or “Vertical Timeline”.

Source: EdrawMind

Step 2

Add your text and use the wide range of symbols from the libraries available to create your timeline in EdrawMind.

Source: EdrawMind

Step 3

Once finished your timeline, you can choose to save to your Cloud or save to your Dropbox.

Source: EdrawMind

3. How To Export EdrawMind Timeline in Google Docs

Creating a timeline in Google Docs is time-consuming, and the end product is, at best, sub-par. If you want to build beautiful timelines in minutes, the perfect way to get the job done will be to use a dedicated timeline software, like EdrawMind.

You could also export the timeline as a Document file (.docx) or other typical format files. Go to the File tab, press Export > Export to Text, then EdrawMind will export automatically and save your timeline as a Word file on your screen.

Source: EdrawMind

Besides, EdrawMind allows users to put watermarks on their diagrams or maps, which will secure their development and designs.

Despite this ease, the reliability and consistency necessary for project reporting or customer feedback could be lacking in Google Docs; hence you can use EdrawMind to edit in real-time.

4. Key Takeaways

Timelines help in providing an overview and ensuring that your business is on track with the expectations. Therefore, a timeline is a crucial tool for any business or project. Creating timelines shouldn’t be daunting. How to make a timeline in Google docs can be easily achieved through EdrawMind.

EdrawMind is a great tool to help you create visually appealing timelines. Here’s why

• The software provides 12 different map types, 33 themes, and more than 700 clip art materials to design the timelines with almost unlimited possibilities;
• EdrawMind gives you the flexibility of incorporating more detail, such as callouts, relationships, summaries, points, comments, and hyperlinks, to help you create amazing mind maps.