25+ Timeline Templates: Excel, Google Sheets & PDF Formats
Timelines are the visual representation of a series of events. So, you can create timelines for any phenomenon with a chronological steps. And, timeline templates are very effective tools to visualize any event series in a diagram.
Thus, we have gathered some of the best timeline templates for you. Additionally, you can easily edit and print these templates.
Firstly, we’ll summarize the timelines and benefits of using them. Then, we’ll give examples from different types of timelines. And lastly, we will bring about some corporate, personal, historical and fictional timeline examples.
Let’s begin then!
Table of Contents:1. What are Timeline Templates?
- Business Timeline Example
- Company History Timeline
- Production Timeline
- Product Launch Timeline
- Research Timeline
- Marketing Timeline
- Project Timeline
- Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline
- Wedding Timeline
- Ceremony Timeline
- Career Timeline
- Home Renovation Timeline
- Human Evolution Timeline
- French Revolution Timeline
- Roman Empire Timeline
- American Revolution Timeline
- Breaking Bad Timeline
- Walking Dead Timeline
- Assassin’s Creed Timeline
- Marvel Timeline
- Star Wars Timeline
- Star Trek Timeline
1. What are Timeline Templates?
Timeline templates are visual tools to represent a chronological sequence of events. You can easily track the progression of events over time.
Timelines are used in various areas including project management, corporate needs, history, education, fictional work, etc.
2. How to create a timeline?
Creating a timeline needs both knowledge about the subject and technical/artistic skills of drawing.
So, below are main steps of creating a timeline:
Step.1 – Gather information: First, you have to collect information about the events. You’ll need historical dates, milestones, descriptions, and so on.
Step.2 – Decide on the diagram type: According to your data, you may choose vertical or horizontal timelines.
Step.3 – Plot the diagram: Now, you should add draw the main shapes of the timeline.
Step.4 – Format the timeline: Lastly, you’ll add dates, descriptions and notes. Also, you may use images or icons for a better visualization.
If you want to use a ready timeline, you can easily download a timeline template and edit it according to your needs.
3. What are the benefits of Timelines?
Similar to other visualization tools, timelines are also very effective way of presenting data. Below we summarize some of the main benefits:
- Visual representation
- Highlights key events
- Simplifies complex data
- Enhances retention in memory
- Identifies trends and patterns
- Flexible for many areas
- Facilitates communication
You can easily communicate complex data to third parties with timelines. Also, you can use these chronological diagrams as an effective learning tool, as they support retention in memory with easy understanding and recall.
4. Types of Timeline
Firstly, timelines may include different types of data. That’s why there are different types of timelines according to the visualization type. Here we summarize the basic timeline types.
Blank Timeline Template
Firstly, we can start with blank timelines. This example is an empty diagram that you can add your data. If you need more shapes, you can also copy-paste from the existing shapes.
These are blank canvas for your timeline charts.
You can download this file in pdf, Google Sheets or Excel formats.
Horizontal Timeline
Horizontal timelines are one of the most common diagram types for chronological data.
If you have limited number of events and a rectangular shaped canvas, then you can use horizontal timelines.
This template has a dummy data that you can easily edit and fill in your own ones. This Excel template is also provided in pdf format.
>> Download Horizontal Timeline
Vertical Timeline Template
If you prefer to visualize your milestones in a down-up orientation, then you can use vertical structures. Especially if you have limited space horizontally, then you vertical ones will be a good option.
You can easily edit and customize this template, and fill in your data. f you need more milestones, just copy and paste the shapes.
>> Download Vertical Timeline Template
Milestones Timeline
This template shows milestones of a particular project in an chronological order. You can highlight the milestones on the entire journey.
Milestones are the main steps or points of a continuous process. So you can easily define the key events in your path, this could be a business or personal timeline.
This template is also provided in Excel and PDF formats.
>> Download Milestones Timeline
5. Corporate Timelines
As timelines are used in a very wide range of areas, businesses also get advantage of this visual representations in their operations. Here you’ll find some corporate examples of timelines.
Business Timeline Example
Firstly, this is a general overview of a company timeline. It displays the main steps from the business idea to the launch of operations.
You can use customize this template according to your own needs. You can change colors, date info or descriptions.
>> Download Business Timeline Example
Company History Timeline
This is another general timeline for businesses. This shows the main milestones in a company history.
You can easily create your company history and use it on your business assets. So this will be a very useful tool to display your company history to your employees, customers or creditors.
>> Download Company History Timeline Template
Production Timeline
This template will display your production journey from raw material procurement to post production support. You can easily edit and share this example.
>> Download Production Timeline
Product Launch Timeline Template
Also, product launch is a step-by-step journey. You should track all the milestones in a launch process to keep organized.
>> Download Product Launch Timeline Template
Research Timeline
Research timeline will help you keep organized all through the long research path. Additionally, you can share this file with your colleagues to track the same journey.
Marketing Timeline Template
Marketing timeline example is a useful tool for both tracking your marketing campaigns and evaluating the results of your efforts.
>> Download Marketing Timeline Template
Project Timeline Template
Projects are long journeys with lots of milestones inside. So, it’s always crucial to keep a log for your project steps with dates and small notes.
6. Personal Timelines
Besides the business-related needs, you can also use these visualization tools for your personal needs. Below are some examples for personal timelines.
Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline
Quitting cigarette is one of the hardest things for many people. But if you know what’s next throughout the process, it becomes easier. This nicotine withdrawal timeline will help you quit smoking.
>> Download Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline
Wedding Timeline Template
Organizing a wedding might be mess-up if you do not plan the whole process. Here’s a very useful timeline example for you to help with your wedding organization.
>> Download Wedding Timeline Template
Ceremony Timeline Template
You have a ceremony, and want to keep everything organized the whole day. Then this template will help you track all the milestones hour by hour.
>> Download Ceremony Timeline Template
Career Timeline Template
So, you’re planning a bright career. And, this timeline will help you to highlight all the milestones on your career path. Additionally, it’s available both in pdf and Excel.
>> Download Career Timeline Template
Home Renovation Timeline Template
If you’re going to renovate your house, then you’ve lots to do. This phase-by-phase template will show your way through all the process.
>> Download Home Renovation Timeline
7. Historical Timelines
Historical timelines are among the most famous timeline examples. You can summarize a historical event or incidents with a visual.
Human Evolution Timeline
Here’s the evolution timeline of human kind. Where it began, and how it continued? This is both students and other researchers.
>> Download Human Evolution Timeline
French Revolution Timeline Template
The French Revolution is one of the biggest steps on European and world democracy history. And, this template explains the epoch-making revolution day by day.
>> Download French Revolution Timeline
Roman Empire Timeline Template
Do you want to learn the glorious history of Roman Empire? Then this template will help you to catch the important points at a glance.
>> Download Roman Empire Timeline
American Revolution Timeline Template
In addition, another important revolution from the western history. So, this template will show you the chronology of battles, treaties and wars.
>> Download American Revolution Timeline
8. Fictional Timelines
If you’re a fan of a tv series or a movie, then you may want to keep a timeline of the most important events. Especially for tv series lasting for years and episodes, it’s not always easy to remember the past incidents or people. But, with those templates you’ll have chance to keep a timeline of your favorite program.
Breaking Bad Timeline
Here’s the history of Walter White, becoming a chemical drug dealer from an ordinary man. Besides, you’ll find the summary of all episodes.
>> Download Breaking Bad Timeline
Walking Dead Timeline
This timeline template is for zombie fans! All seasons are summarized on a timeline maker.
>> Download Walking Dead Timeline
Assassin’s Creed Timeline
Firstly, this example shows the chronological order of events in the Assassin’s Creed universe. And, with this editable and sleek-design template, you can create your own timeline.
>> Download Assassin’s Creed Timeline
Marvel Timeline Template
And this example for Marvel fans. Let’s remember or explore the rise of each hero in this universe with Marvel timeline template.
>> Download Marvel Timeline Template
Star Wars Timeline Template
Here’s the timeline of the Star Wars legend. So, track the all journey with this visual summary.
>> Download Star Wars Timeline
Star Trek Timeline
Lastly, we are discovering the Start Trek universe with this timeline summary. With these templates available in pdf and Excel, you can create your own visual and print it out.
>> Download Star Trek Timeline
9. Conclusion
Finally, we have gathered many timeline files above for you. So, these include different types of timelines in addition to corporate, business, historical and fictional timelines.
All these templates are:
- Printable
- Also customizable
- Ready-to-use
- In Excel, Google Sheets & PDF formats
- Lastly, instant download
If you want to create your own timeline from scratch, Someka’s Timeline Maker will help you make dynamic timelines. Evidently, all the above timelines are created by our timeline maker tool
Thus, you can input all your data list, and then create your timeline. You can configure the settings to customize your diagram. This tool also lets you to drag-and drop shapes after creating your timeline.
– This is a screenshot from Someka’s Timeline Maker Template in Excel –
Finally, generating timelines with ready-to-use template will save you time.
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Visio Alternative for Mac: Diagram Makers
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