How to Make a Timeline in a Word Document

A timeline lists the chronological order of a series of events. It might be a schedule of how a procedure is repeatedly performed. A timeline can be the sequential order of a historical period or occasions in a person's life. Along with dates and brief, pertinent information, timelines also incorporate graphics. Adding a timeline to a Word document, such as a school paper or report, will add interest to and make your work more reader-friendly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Open a blank Word document. Change the page orientation to Landscape. To do this in Word 2003, go to the "File" menu and click on "Page Setup." On the "Margins" tab, click "Landscape" and then click "OK." In Word 2007, go to the "Page Layout" tab and choose "Landscape" from the "Orientation" dropdown.

2. 
    

   Insert a long rectangle across the document. In Word 2003, make sure the Drawing toolbar is present by going to "View," pointing to "Toolbars," and selecting "Drawing" if it is not checked. Click the rectangle on the drawing toolbar. In Word 2007, go to the "Insert" tab, click "Shapes" and choose a rectangle. Drag the rectangle across the page.

3. 
    

   Right click the rectangle and choose "Format Shape." Go to the "Size" tab. Change the height to ".5" and the width to "9.00." Go to the "Colors and Lines" tab and choose a fill color or fill effect from the dropdown. Drag your timeline bar down on the document a few inches by clicking on it, holding your mouse button down and moving your mouse. You will need room above and below the timeline to add information.

4. 
    

   Click on a line from the "Shapes" group in Word 2007, or from the "Drawing" toolbar in Word 2003. Drag the line into place, perhaps starting at the bottom of the timeline near the left end. Draw it up out of the box. Insert a text box at the top of the line by clicking "Text Box" from the "Insert" menu in Word 2003 or the "Insert" tab in Word 2007. Type the first date of your timeline here, along with details about this date. Click on the outline of the text box to select it. Right click and choose "Format Text Box." On the "Colors and Lines" tab, choose "No Line" in the "Line Color" box. Repeat these steps with the rest of your timeline dates, placing some above the timeline and some below.

5. 
    

   Add descriptive graphics to your timeline. In Word 2003, go to the "Insert" menu. Point to "Picture" and choose "From File" or "Clip Art." In Word 2007, go to the "Insert" menu and choose "Picture" or "Clip Art." Insert pictures for some or all of your timeline items.

6. Save and print your completed timeline.

Resources

• Microsoft Word Timeline Template