How to Create a Project Timeline in Excel (3 Simple Methods)

We will use the following dataset, which contains Milestones and metrics of the Effort of a project.

Method 1 – Use the SmartArt Graphics Tool to Create a Project Timeline in Excel

Steps:

• Go to the Insert tab.
• Select the option SmartArt from the ribbon.

• This will open a new dialogue box.
• Choose the Process tab.
• Find the Basic Timeline chart and click on it.

• A new dialogue box will show up.
• Click on the arrow icon from the timeline chart.

• Insert Timeline data in the text box. We can also insert data into the timeline directly.
• We get results similar to the following image.

Read More: How to Create a Timeline with Dates in Excel

Method 2 – Utilize a Scatter Plot Chart to Create a Project Timeline

Steps:

• Go to the Insert tab.
• Click on the Scatter chart.
• Select the chart type that you want to input.

• This will insert a blank scatter chart into the worksheet.
• Right-click on the scatter chart and choose the option Select Data.

• We get a new window named Select Data Source.
• Click on the Add button from the Legend Entries (Series).

• Put the Due Date and Effort ranges into Series X values and Series Y values, respectively.
• Click on OK.

• Excel goes back to the Select Data Source dialogue box.
• Click OK.

• You’ll get a scatter chart like the following image.

• Check the option Error Bars in the Chart Elements to show the Timeline markers.

• Click on Chart Elements, then select Error Bars and More Options.

• Check the No Cap option from the End Style.
• Adjust the Percentage to 0% from the Error Amount section.

• For the Horizontal Error Bar, check the option Minus from the Direction.
• Adjust the value of the Percentage to 100%.

• Go to Chart Elements and Data Labels, then select More Options.

• Uncheck the Y value from the Format Data Labels.
• Check the option Value From Cells.
• Click on the button Select Range.

• Insert the following range value in the Select Data Label Range field:

• Click on OK.

• Here’s the result.

Read More: Create a Timeline in Excel with Milestones

Method 3 – Create a Project Timeline with Excel Timeline Templates

Steps:

• Download the free Project timeline with milestones template from the Office template library.

• Open the downloaded template in Excel.
• Update the Date and Milestone section as per the dataset.

• The timeline chart updates automatically with our project milestone data.

Read More: How to Create a Timeline Chart in Excel

Drawbacks of Creating a Project Timeline in Excel

• No individual to-do list: Excel doesn’t provide us with the scope to create a to-do list. It will provide an overview of assigned work to individual members. However, you have to type every data in the sheet physically.
• Manual follow-ups: The Excel project timeline largely depends on manual follow-ups.
• Non-Cooperative: Microsoft Excel only allows a single person to own the file, with no real-time updates if multiple members access and edit the file on their respective devices.

Download the Practice Workbook

<< Go Back to Timeline in Excel | Learn Excel