Timeline v1 Subscriber

Terms of Use
Use this workbook for your own work but please don't sell
Feel free to study, modify and use this template for your own work, but please don't sell this template for any monetary (o
Limitation of Liability - this workbook is for educational purposes

Please remember that I created this template for educational purposes.
If you use this template for your business then in no event will I be held liable to you for any damages, including:
lost profits
lost savings
any other damages (direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential)
that arise from using or misusing this template.
If you use this template then you agree to bear all risks and responsibility for the quality and performance of that usage.
But having said all that - please do enjoy and learn from this template. I hope it helps to build up your Excel skills!
Cheers - Victor
2012 Victor Chan. All rights reserved.

http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel
http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel-bonus
Please do not change, delete or hide these terms of use.
Terms of Use
book for your own work but please don't sell

y, modify and use this template for your own work, but please don't sell this template for any monetary (or other) gain.
iability - this workbook is for educational purposes

er that I created this template for educational purposes.
mplate for your business then in no event will I be held liable to you for any damages, including:
amages (direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential)

using or misusing this template.
mplate then you agree to bear all risks and responsibility for the quality and performance of that usage.
all that - please do enjoy and learn from this template. I hope it helps to build up your Excel skills!
han. All rights reserved.

nchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel
nchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel-bonus
ange, delete or hide these terms of use.
monetary (or other) gain.
Timeline Template Contents Page (v1.0)
1. Timeline'
2. Data'
3. Chart Series 1'
4. Format series 1'
5. Error bars 1'
6. Add Series 2'
7. Format Series 2'
8. Error bars 2'
9. Today Line'
10. Chart legends'
Bonus Part 1'
Bonus Part 2'
Bonus Part 3'
Do you want my step-by-step instructions for creating this timeline?

Read my in-depth articles on Launch Excel:
Timeline Article 1
Timeline Article 2
Timeline Template Contents Page (v1.0)
The finished timeline - you can use this straight away (copy to new workbook)
This worksheet shows the pure data with no chart
This worksheet shows the XY scatter chart with only one data series "Duration" and no formatting
Format the chart X-axis and Y-axis and milestone appearance for the data seies "Duration"
Add vertical X and Y error bars to the "Duration" data series
Add another data series "Completion" to the chart for task completion estimates
Format the milestone markers to the same size and look of the data series "Duration"
Add X error bars to the "Completion" data series, Remove Y error bars
Add another data series "Today" to show where we are today
Enhance the look of the chart legends
Add a third data series "At Risk" to show tasks that are at risk
Format the data series "At Risk" - add X-error bars and remove the "x" shape marker
Add the "At Risk" legend box
This workbook was designed for Excel 201

Check out more products from Launch Exc
y step-by-step instructions for creating this timeline?

pth articles on Launch Excel:
0)
d no formatting
his workbook was designed for Excel 2010.

heck out more products from Launch Excel
Launch Excel Online Store
2012
Project Timeline For detailed instructions please visit my website:
Date: Jan-20-2012 http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel
Project Timeline
23 Duration
20 20 Completion
15 15
At Risk
10 10
Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

-5
-10 -10
-15 -15
-20 -20
X-axis X-error bar X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar
Series 1 & 2 Series 1 Series 2 Series 1 & 2 Series 3 Series 3 Series 3
Start % % Start
Phase Type Date Event Duration Complete Completion Height Delay Date At Risk Heights
Today Today Jan-20-2012 Today 0 0% 0 23
Today Today Jan-20-2012 Today 0 0% 0 -23
Phase 1 Phase Jan-05-2012 Phase 1 17 95% 16.15 20 #N/A
Phase 1 Task Jan-05-2012 Task 1-1 10 100% 10 15 #N/A
Phase 1 Task Jan-12-2012 Task 1-2 10 90% 9 10 #N/A
Phase 2 Phase Jan-15-2012 Phase 2 25 70% 17.5 -20 #N/A
Phase 2 Task Jan-15-2012 Task 2-1 10 70% 7 -15 #N/A
Phase 2 Task Jan-27-2012 Task 2-2 10 70% 7 -10 100% Feb-06-2012 10 -10
Phase 2 Task Jan-30-2012 Task 2-3 10 40% 4 -5 70% Feb-09-2012 7 -5
Phase 3 Phase Feb-10-2012 Phase 3 25 20% 5 20 #N/A
Phase 3 Task Feb-10-2012 Task 3-1 10 20% 2 15 40% Feb-20-2012 4 15
Phase 3 Task Feb-20-2012 Task 3-2 10 20% 2 10 #N/A
Phase 3 Task Feb-25-2012 Task 3-3 10 0% 0 5 #N/A
Phase 4 Phase Mar-02-2012 Phase 4 18 0% 0 -20 #N/A
Phase 4 Task Mar-02-2012 Task 4-1 10 0% 0 -15 #N/A
Phase 4 Task Mar-05-2012 Task 4-2 15 0% 0 -10 #N/A
362058381.xlsx http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel Page 7

Project Timeline This worksheet
Get down showsofthe
the details pure
your data with
project no chart
events
Date: Jan-20-2012
Timeline XY-chart goes

(delete this text box before addin
X-axis X-error bar

Series 1 & 2 Series 1
Start %
Phase Type Date Event Duration Complete
Today Today Jan-20-2012 Today 0 0%
Phase 1 Phase Jan-05-2012 Phase 1 17 95%
Phase 1 Task Jan-05-2012 Task 1-1 10 100%
Phase 3 Phase Feb-10-2012 Phase 3 25 20%
Phase 3 Task Feb-20-2012 Task 3-1 10 20%
Phase 4 Phase Mar-02-2012 Phase 4 18 0%
Phase 4 Task Mar-02-2012 Task 4-1 10 0%
with no chart < CONTENTS PAGE
XY-chart goes here

box before adding a chart)
X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Series 2 Series 1 & 2 Series 3 Series 3 Series 3
% Start
Completion Height Delay Date At Risk Heights
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Note: these two lines are used to calculate the TODAY line
Project Timeline This worksheet shows the XY scatter chart with only one data series "Du
Date: Jan-20-2012 Format the event markers to your liking (here I have used Green Diamon
Project Timeline
25
20 20 20
15 15
10 10
0
40910 40920 40930 40940 40950 4
-5 -5
-10 -10
-15 -15
-20 -20
-25
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
hart with only one data series "Duration" and no formatting < CONTENTS PAGE
ng (here I have used Green Diamonds, size 10 pts, no marker line)
Project Timeline
20
15
10
5
Duration
40950 40960 40970 40980
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Project Timeline Format the chart X-axis and Y-axis and milestone appearance for the dat
Date: Jan-20-2012 Hide the Y-axis, hide horizontal guidelines, change the event labels, dele
Project Timeline
20 20
15
10
Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
d milestone appearance for the data seies "Duration" < CONTENTS PAGE
ines, change the event labels, delete the legend and freeze panes at row 28.
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Project Timeline Add vertical X and Y error bars to the "Duration" data series
Date: Jan-20-2012 X-error bars show duration of each task, Y-error bars drop down to the X
Project Timeline
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
"Duration" data series < CONTENTS PAGE
sk, Y-error bars drop down to the X-axis to show the task start date
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Formatting the error bars:
Gray x-error bars, size 4 pts, solid lines, no end cap
Blue y-error bars, size 2 pts, dashed lines, no end cap
Project Timeline Add another data series "Completion" to the chart for task completion e
Date: Jan-20-2012
Project Timeline
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
" to the chart for task completion estimates < CONTENTS PAGE
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Project Timeline Format the event markers to the same size and look of the data series "D
Date: Jan-20-2012
Project Timeline
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
e size and look of the data series "Duration" (here Green Diamonds, size 10 pts) < CONTENTS PAGE
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Project Timeline Add X error bars to the "Completion" data series, Remove Y error bars
Date: Jan-20-2012 X-error bars show completion of each task, Y-error bars are not needed b
Project Timeline
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
data series, Remove Y error bars < CONTENTS PAGE
task, Y-error bars are not needed because Series 1 & Series 2 start-dates are the same
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Formatting the x-error bars:
Green x-error bars, size 7 pts, solid lines, no end cap
Project Timeline Add another data series "Today" to show where we are today
Date: Jan-20-2012 Format the Today line to your liking (here I have used Red solid line, size
Project Timeline
23
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
ow where we are today < CONTENTS PAGE
ere I have used Red solid line, size 3 pts and no marker, label "Today" in bold)
Project Timeline
20
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Increase size of Plot Area:
Adding the today line means there's less vertical space
for the plot area, so I increased the plot area height
Project Timeline Enhance the look of the chart legends
Date: Jan-20-2012 Select chart then insert two text boxes (1) Duration (2) Completion - pos
Project Timeline
23
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
< CONTENTS PAGE
s (1) Duration (2) Completion - position these on the chart where there is space
Project Timeline
Duration
20
Completion
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 20
10 15 20
9 10 15
17.5 -20 -10
7 -15 -15
7 -10 -15
4 -5 -20
5 20 20
2 15 15
2 10 15
0 5 10
0 -20 -15
0 -15 -15
0 -10 -20
Legend Auto-update (Text box links):
Both text boxes are linked to cells in the data table
so when the cell contents are changed the text boxes
are automatically updated.
Grey text box is linked to cell $E$30

Green text box is linked to cell $G$30
Change the contents of E30 or G30 and see what happens

to the words in the corresponding text box
Using text boxes for your chart legends

gives you flexibility to reposition them
where you want them to go
Project Timeline Make your timeline show tasks that are at risk (part 1)
Date: Jan-20-2012 Add a third data series "At Risk" to show tasks that are at risk (here you
Project Timeline
23
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
re at risk (part 1) http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel-bonus < CONTENTS PAGE
ow tasks that are at risk (here you can only see the faint "x" shape marker)
Project Timeline
Duration
20
Completion
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 #N/A
10 15 #N/A
9 10 #N/A
17.5 -20 #N/A
7 -15 #N/A
7 -10 50% Feb-06-2012 5 -10
4 -5 50% Feb-09-2012 5 -5
5 20 #N/A
2 15 25% Feb-20-2012 2.5 15
2 10 #N/A
0 5 #N/A
0 -20 #N/A
0 -15 #N/A
0 -10 #N/A
Stopping zero values from appearing in chart
When Excel creates a chart from a data series
it plots all the values given to it even if those
values are zero. To stop zero values from
appearing in the chart I used NA() to return
an error that does not show on the chart:
Cell J33 = IF ( I33 > 0, C33 + E33, NA())
If you use either of these formulas:

Cell J33 = IF ( I33 > 0, C33 + E33, 0)
Cell J33 = IF ( I33 > 0, C33 + E33, "")
You will get this result!!!
Date: Jan-20-2012 Format the data series "At Risk" - add X-error bars and remove the "x" s
Project Timeline
23
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
X-error bars and remove the "x" shape marker
Project Timeline
Duration
20
Completion
15
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 #N/A
10 15 #N/A
9 10 #N/A
17.5 -20 #N/A
7 -15 #N/A
7 -10 100% Feb-06-2012 10 -10
4 -5 70% Feb-09-2012 7 -5
5 20 #N/A
2 15 40% Feb-20-2012 4 15
2 10 #N/A
0 5 #N/A
0 -20 #N/A
0 -15 #N/A
0 -10 #N/A
Formatting the x-error bars:
Orange x-error bars, size 4 pts, solid lines, no end cap
Date: Jan-20-2012 Click on the chart and insert the "At Risk" legend box, linked to cell K30
Project Timeline
23
20 20
15 15
10

-5
-10
-15
-20
X-axis X-error bar

Start %
isk" legend box, linked to cell K30
Project Timeline
Duration
20
Completion
15
At Risk
10
1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012
-10
-15
-20

% Start
0 23
0 -23
16.15 20 #N/A
10 15 #N/A
9 10 #N/A
17.5 -20 #N/A
7 -15 #N/A
7 -10 100% Feb-06-2012 10 -10
4 -5 70% Feb-09-2012 7 -5
5 20 #N/A
2 15 40% Feb-20-2012 4 15
2 10 #N/A
0 5 #N/A
0 -20 #N/A
0 -15 #N/A
0 -10 #N/A
Formatting the chart background:
Light gray fill for chart and plot areas

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Terms of Use

Limitation of Liability - this workbook is for educational purposes

2012 Victor Chan. All rights reserved.

book for your own work but please don't sell

iability - this workbook is for educational purposes

amages (direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential)

han. All rights reserved.

3. Chart Series 1'

4. Format series 1'

5. Error bars 1'

6. Add Series 2'

7. Format Series 2'

8. Error bars 2'

10. Chart legends'

Bonus Part 1'

Bonus Part 2'

Bonus Part 3'

Do you want my step-by-step instructions for creating this timeline?

This worksheet shows the pure data with no chart

Add vertical X and Y error bars to the "Duration" data series

Add another data series "Today" to show where we are today

Enhance the look of the chart legends

Add the "At Risk" legend box

This workbook was designed for Excel 201

y step-by-step instructions for creating this timeline?

his workbook was designed for Excel 2010.

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

362058381.xlsx http://www.launchexcel.com/timelines-in-excel Page 7

Timeline XY-chart goes

X-axis X-error bar

XY-chart goes here

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

X-axis X-error bar

40950 40960 40970 40980

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar

Jan-02-2012 Jan-12-2012 Jan-22-2012 Feb-01-2012 Feb-11-2012

X-axis X-error bar

1-2012 Feb-11-2012 Feb-21-2012 Mar-02-2012 Mar-12-2012

X-error bar Y-error bar X-axis X-error bar Y-error bar