How to Make a Timeline on Mac [6 Tools Shared]

Do you have trouble remembering deadlines or significant events for your projects? Do not fear; a timetable can keep you structured and on the course! A timeline visually depicts an event or milestone sequence drawn along a horizontal axis. It's a useful tool for visualizing your project's timeline and ensuring your deadlines are met. 

You may pick the option that best suits your needs by following the instructions in this article on making a timeline on Mac using distinct approaches. So, let's get right in and get going!

Table of Contents

Preparations for a Smooth Timeline Creation on Mac

How to Make a Timeline on Mac with Native Mac Tools

Online Collaborative Timeline-Making Tools [No Downloads]

How to Make a Timeline in PowerPoint Mac?

To guarantee a quick and easy timeline creation procedure on your Mac, including a Gantt chart, taking a few preparatory measures before getting started is crucial. Gather all the pertinent facts and information you'll need for your timeline. It might include any critical dates for your project, such as deadlines, benchmarks, events, or meetings. Next, decide whether you want to build a local timeline for private usage or a sharing timeline for group collaboration. This step will help you decide which tool to use to create your timeline. Let's now study how to make a timeline on Mac utilizing the tools at your disposal with these preparations in mind.

Now that you've made the required preparations let's start using the native Mac tools to create a timeline. Pages and Numbers are the two most used Mac programs for making timelines.

#Make a Timeline in Pages on MacOS

Apple's word processing program, Pages, has a timeline template among its many other prototypes. To make a timeline in Pages on MacOS, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Pages on Mac 

Step 2: Choose a standard blank document when starting a new document.

Step 3: Select Chart from the menu on the bottom of the page, and then select the 2D scatter chart option.

Step 4: When you're ready to turn this into a timeline, click the Edit Chart Data button.

Step 5: Delete all you see in the chart by clicking cell 1 while holding down the Shift key and selecting cell 18 thereafter.

Step 6: Give each item's columns a name.

Step 7: Make all X values equal to 0, then diagonally set the Y values.

Step 8: By selecting Format in the top right corner of the screen, you may make more changes to this chart.

Intuitive Explanation by MacMostVideo:

#Make a Timeline in Numbers on MacOS

Apple's spreadsheet program, Numbers, is another native tool to create timelines. An easy guide to how to make a timeline in Mac numbers is given below.

Step 1: Open Apple Numbers and make a new blank spreadsheet.

Step 2: Determine the Right number of Columns and Rows.

Step 3: Utilize the Bubble Chart Feature for Your Timeline.

Step 4: It’s time to label the chart with your information.

Step 5: Personalize the timeline chart depending on your requirement.

You can make a timeline on Mac for your project using either Pages or Numbers. however, they might not be the greatest option if you want to quickly make a timeline on Mac or need to communicate with people online. Fortunately, several online tools like MioCreate for creating collaborative timelines let you work with others in real-time, regardless of where you are. Finding a strategy that works best for you and your project is crucial, whether you use native Mac software or an online one.

Collaboration is essential for success in modern society. It would be best if you utilized the appropriate tools for successful and efficient communication when working remotely with a team on a project. Tools for creating collaborative timelines online are a terrific way for distant teams to collaborate without having to download anything. In this part, we'll look at some of the top online tools for creating timelines in collaboration with your team from anywhere globally. 

#MioCreate Timeline Maker

MioCreate is an easy-to-use online tool for creating timelines that have a large selection of features and functions. Users may build and contribute on timelines using this cloud-based tool from any global location. Free timeline designs, an intuitive user interface, sharing timelines, and the capacity to insert multimedia components are some of MioCreate's primary timeline-making capabilities.

The easy way how to make a timeline on MacOS with MioCreate comprises 4 steps:

Step 1: Create an account on MioCreate and log in.

Step 2: Choose the timeline template you wish to use and modify it to suit your requirements.

Step 3: Include multimedia components like photographs, movies, and audio files when adding events to your timeline.

Step 4: Share your timeline with anybody you choose and collaborate with your team members in real time.

MioCreate's user-friendly design, rich customization choices, and cutting-edge collaboration capabilities set it apart from other online collaborative timeline creation tools. Timelines may be aesthetically enhanced and more interesting by adding multimedia components like photographs, videos, and audio files with MioCreate. In addition, it provides users with a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes creating and customizing timelines simple. It becomes simple for teams to work together effortlessly, regardless of where they are, thanks to the ability to engage with team members in real time.

#Office Timeline Online

You may quickly build stunning timelines with Office Timeline Online, a free online timeline creator. It helps personalize your timeline with different colors, fonts, and styles and gives a selection of layouts and themes to pick from. Visit the website and adhere to the procedures below to utilize Office Timeline Online:

Step 1: Decide whether to use a template or from scratch. You can also import data from your MacOS.

Step 2: Add the milestones and events on your timeline.

Step 3: Add colors, fonts, and other design elements to your timeline to make it your own.

Step 4: Export your timeline as a picture or PowerPoint slide, or share it with others.

#Make a Timeline in Google Sheets

It takes time to make a timeline with Google Docs but it’s much easier to make one in Google Sheets. How to make a timeline on Mac with Google Sheets? It is a robust spreadsheet program that may also make excellent timelines. It provides a selection of templates and add-ons to make it simple and quick for you to construct timelines with a professional appearance. As shown in the image, you can also use already available templates in the Google Sheets.

Or create your own by using the below steps to build a timeline using Google Sheets:

Step 1: Launch Google Sheets and choose or build a timeline template.

Step 2: Create a table with the dates and milestones for your project.

Step 3: Select the data and then click on Insert followed by Chart option.

Step 4: Next, choose the Bubble chart option under the Scatter category from the Chart Type menu. Google Sheets will instantly create a straightforward timeline using the data you've chosen.

Step 5: The Vertical Axis should now be adjusted to properly display the highest milestones. Go to the Customize tab of the Chart editor (seen below) to start. The Chart editor is accessible at any moment by double-clicking the graphic. To open it, click the Vertical axis section.

In the text box next to Min, enter "0". You must provide a value greater than the greatest plotted number you've recorded in your data table in the Max column. In this instance, "5" will be the Max value.

Step 6: Your timeline is now correctly structured, and you may add additional stylistic options to make it your own. You may quickly choose a new color for your milestones, messages, or dates, alter sizes and fonts, add a chart title, and more using the Customize tab in the Chart Editor.

According to 2023 update, Mac Google Sheets offers a direct access to Timeline creation by clicking on “Insert” and then find “Timeline”. You can simply add your data and then click on timeline feature. However, you can change settings and formatting to customize the timeline according to your needs. Add start and end dates, milestones, and taskbars to timelines and change the colors and designs. Professionals wishing to construct aesthetically stunning and educational timelines may find Google Sheets' Timeline function to be an excellent choice.

Video Tutorial >>

PowerPoint is a common tool for making visually appealing presentations, and a timeline is a frequent visual element in presentations. A chronology, a project timeline, or the history of an organization may all be displayed using timelines. Three techniques for creating a timeline in PowerPoint on a Mac are covered.

#Way 1: With SmartArt (for a simple timeline)

The PowerPoint feature called SmartArt makes it simple and quick to generate basic visuals. To create a timeline using SmartArt, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a new presentation in PowerPoint by launching it on your MacOS.

Step 2: From the ribbon, pick "SmartArt" by clicking on the "Insert" button in the top menu.

Step 3: Pick the "Basic Timeline" graphic from the "Process" category in the SmartArt collection.

Step 4: Add text and formatting choices to personalize your timeline. By selecting the "Add Shape" option from the SmartArt Tools menu, you may add more shapes to your timeline.

Step 5: Save your presentation.

#Way 2: Office Timeline Add-in (to make a timeline more complicated)

Are you searching for how to make a complex timeline on Mac? The only answer is the PowerPoint add-in. You may construct more detailed and personalized timelines with the PowerPoint add-in Office Timeline. To make a timeline with the Office Timeline Add-In, adhere to these steps:

Step 1: Download the Office Timeline Add-In for PowerPoint from the Office Timeline website. Then run the installing wizard.

Step 2: Open PowerPoint after adding the add-in.

Step 3: In the top menu, click the "Office Timeline" tab and choose "New."

Step 4: Decide whether to start from scratch or select a timeline template that suits your needs.

Step 5: Personalize your timeline by including anniversaries, dates, and other content.

Step 6: Format and decorate your timeline using the Office Timeline ribbon.

Step 7: Save your presentation.

Video Tutorial>>

Wrapping Note

This article has described several methods to make a timeline on MacOS. Users can select the approach that best suits their needs because each method has benefits. If you're seeking an effective and simple presentation tool, MioCreate is exceptional. With the help of MioCreate, you can quickly and easily create presentations of the highest caliber using a variety of templates, themes, and customization options. For professionals that need to generate presentations without compromising quality, it's a great option. Take your presentations to the next level by utilizing MioCreate right away.