Create a Timeline in Excel with Milestones (With Easy Steps)

Consider the following dataset. It contains the 7 fundamental steps of a scientific study. We want to create a timeline in Excel using the steps as the milestones for a particular problem.

Create a Timeline in Excel with Milestones Using Line Chart with Markers: 8 Easy Steps

Step 1 – Create Two Helper Columns

• Create a new column for zeros adjacent to the Milestones column. Enter 0 in each cell of that column.
• Create a Height column adjacent to the Zeros column. Enter 1 and -1 alternating in the cells of that column.

Step 2 – Insert a Line Chart with Markers

• Select D5:E11 from the helper columns.
• Select Insert, then choose 2-D Line and pick Line with Markers as shown below. A Line Chart will be created.

Step 3 – Enable/Disable Some Chart Elements

• Click on the + sign at the upper right corner of the chart. If the sign is not visible, then click on the chart area.
• Uncheck all Chart Elements except the Data Labels and the Error Bars. You should check these two checkboxes if they are not already checked.

Step 4 – Change the Chart Type for a Series

• Click on the yellow-colored line. Make sure that all of the data points are selected.
• Right-click and select Change Series Chart Type.

• Select the Clustered Column chart type from the pop-up list. You will see a preview of what the new chart will look like.
• Make sure you are doing this for the correct series by noticing the color of it.
• Select OK. It will be converted to a column chart.

Step 5 – Hide the Clustered Column Chart

• Click on any one of the columns in the chart. Make sure that all of the columns are selected.
• Right-click and select the dropdown for Fill Color.
• Select No Fill.
• Click on the Outline dropdown and select No Outline.

Step 6 – Format the Error Bars

• Click on any one of the Error Bars and ensure that all of them are selected.
• Right-click and select Format Error Bars.
• A dialog box will pop up on the right side of your Excel window.

• Choose the Direction for the Vertical Error Bar as Minus, No Cap for End Style, and set the Error Amount percentage to 100%.

Step 7 – Add the Data Labels

• Click on any one of the data labels for the Zeros column and make sure that all of them are selected.
• Right-click and select Format Data Labels.

• Check Value From Cells.
• An input dialog box will pop up.
• Use the upward arrow to select the Date values (B5:B11) and then click OK.
• Uncheck the Value checkbox.

• Click on any one of the data labels for the Height column and ensure that all of them are selected.
• Right-click and select Format Data Labels as in the earlier step.

• Select the Milestones in the same way as earlier and press OK.

Step 8 – Make the Timeline Presentable

• Drag the data labels to fit them properly or change the label colors.

Download the Practice Workbook

Things to Remember

• Make sure that all of the data points or the data labels are selected to change them altogether.

Related Articles

• How to Create a Timeline with Dates in Excel
• How to Create a Project Timeline in Excel
• How to Create a Timeline Chart in Excel

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