Timeline

A timeline is a visual representation marking all major events over a period of time. Timeline slides have many versatile uses—everything from project plans, to status updates, to “next steps” can be communicated using a timeline.  They are most often used for business purposes, but can also be useful for better illustrating scientific and other highly technical processes.

Timeline slides help us to conceptualize past, present and future events. If you want to give your audience confidence that a plan or a process has been thoroughly vetted and is well-articulated, a timeline is very effective.

Timeline Properties

Properties in Action

Slide Background

• Clicking on the circle to the right of ‘Slide Background’ will allow the user to change the background color of the slide itself. The colors available will be determined by the theme they have chosen and the corresponding colors associated with that theme. They can also add a background image if they so choose! Note that the milestones, icons, and text colors may change based on the background color selected

Timeline Style

Line

• What it is: A classic straight timeline—typically horizontal—with milestone markers (dots or icons) connected by a solid line.

• Best for: Displaying clear chronological sequences (e.g., project timeline, historical events).

• Why use it: It’s simple, straightforward, and easy for audiences to follow linear progression.

Arrows

• What it is: Milestones or segments are connected with arrows, indicating direction or suggesting a process flow rather than just a span of time.

• Best for: Process-oriented timelines (e.g., product lifecycle, workflow, recurring cycles), where directional cues matter.

• Why use it: Arrows visually emphasize movement or progression—useful for sequential or cyclical processes. These are effective for project timelines, product journey stages, or milestones where you want to emphasize directional momentum.

Spans

• What it is: The timeline is divided into labeled sections—“spans”—that group milestones into broader periods or stages (e.g., “Planning,” “Execution,” “Review”).

• Best for: Highlighting phases within a timeline—ideal for illustrating project stages, segmented journeys, or phase-based planning.

• Why use it: It helps viewers see not just individual events, but how they fall within larger grouped segments, enhancing clarity and storytelling.

Timeline/Span Colors

• You can change the colors of your timeline or spans depending on the colors available from the selected theme. You can also adjust the width of the lines.

Show Start/End Marker

• Showing the Start and/or End marker allows you to create windows of time for your timeline. You can choose to toggle these both either off or on depending on the story you're trying to tell

Milestone Style/Colors

• Milestone style and color allows you to customize the look of the milestones on your timeline slide

Auto Arrange Milestones

• Auto arranging milestones allows you to set the milestones in an even span on your timeline. You can easily move the timelines if you need if you don't wish for them to be auto-arranged

Use Cases:

• Project Planning & Milestones - Track key actions and deadlines

• Status Updates - Communicate team or project progress

• Historical Context - Show background or past milestones

• Next Steps / Future Roadmap - Plan upcoming phases and future actions

• Quarterly/Annual Reviews - Recap performance and align on future goals