Using Google Docs to create a timeline is a wonderful option to highlight important events in a way that enables you to make a point. Each event can occur at any moment in time, though the starting point and conclusion of the timeline define the boundaries. Timelines are essential for history projects and presentations in school. Let’s look at how to create a timeline in Google Docs.
How to make a timeline on Google Docs (Drawing)
Readying your page for a timeline
To begin, change the orientation of your Google Doc from Portrait to Landscape. Do this by clicking File → Page setup → Orientation: Landscape.
Adding the Timeline Base
Moving ahead in learning how to create a timeline in Google Docs, open the drawing tool when you’ve completed your Google Doc landscape. Insert Drawing + New is the way to do it.
Select a line by clicking on it. This is the downward-pointing arrow-shaped button next to the Line button.
Select Arrow from the dropdown menu that appears.
Click and drag a straight line across the drawing area with your mouse. Make sure your drawing is straight by using the checkered pattern on the back.
In the top toolbar, click the Line start button. Select the arrowhead that matches the one at the end of your drawing from the succeeding dropdown option.
To modify the thickness of your line, click the Line weight button.
Adding Timeline Entries
Proceeding in learning how to create a timeline in Google Docs, as text boxes, place your timeline entries throughout the timeline. Click the Text box button in the top toolbar, then drag your entry above or below the timeline as desired.
By clicking the Border weight button in the top toolbar, you may add a border around your timeline entries.
Make a connection between your entries and the timeline. To do so, go back to Select line and choose Line. Then, from the timeline to the text box, create a straight vertical line.
Fill up the blanks with the rest of your information. You can do this by copying and pasting the first textbox and connecting line down the rest of your timeline.
In each of the boxes, replace the copied text with the appropriate entries.
Formatting Dates
You may format dates in a few different ways. The first is to place them on the timeline on the other side of the entries.
Simply add a text box to each entry on the opposite side of the timeline, then fill in the necessary values or dates.
You can also simply include the dates in each of the text box entries.
Adding the Timeline to Your Google Doc
You’ll want to add your timeline to your Google Doc once you’re done. To do so, go to the top right and click the blue Save and Close button.
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How to Create a Timeline in Google Docs (Lucidchart)
On Google Docs, there’s another option to construct a timeline. That would be to utilise Lucidchart, a third-party add-on.
To add Lucidchart to your account, click Add-ons → Get add-ons.
Look for the “Lucidchart Diagrams” add-on and install it.
Search for the Lucidchart side panel in your Google Doc. To sign in with Google, click Sign in with Google.
Allow Lucidchart access to your account when you’ve completed the process.
Now, in the side panel of Lucidchart Diagrams, click the orange circle with a + in the centre. This button appears at the bottom and opens the menu for creating a new diagram.
Choose Blank from the available templates.
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You’ll be taken to a new page where you can start creating your timeline in Lucidchart. We used the following tools to construct a timeline that looked remarkably similar to the one created with the sketching tool:
- Line (and Endpoint to make both ends arrows)
- Text
- Block
- Vertical Rule
Save your document after your timeline is complete. To do so, go to Lucidchart’s File menu and select Save.
When prompted, rename your document and then return to Google Docs.
Your new timeline will appear in the Lucidchart tab of Google Docs. To add it to your Google Doc, simply click it.
The Lucidchart timeline you made will show as an image, which you may move and adjust as needed.
Hope, these steps to get insightful of how to create a timeline in Google Docs would put you at ease to your ends.
