How to create a timeline in PowerPoint
This tip shows simple steps for creating a simple and informative timeline using Microsoft logo design changes (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft#Logo).
![Timeline in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Timeline in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/1.png)
You can use a similar predefined SmartArt graphic (see how to create a timeline using SmartArt):
![Timeline using SmartArt in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Timeline using SmartArt in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/413/1.png)
To create a timeline chart like this one, do the following:
1. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Shapes:
![Shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/shapes.png)
2. In the Shapes list, in the Basic Shapes group, choose the Moon shape:
![Basic shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Basic shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/shapes365/moon.png)
3. Rotate the added shape: to do that, select the shape and do one of the following:
![Rotated shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Rotated shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/3.png)
- Using the rotation handle at the top of the selecting border:
- On the Shape Format tab, in the Arrange group, select some
commands in the Rotate dropdown list:
4. Add the rectangle shape (from the same Rectangle group) and position it to hide the half of the moon shape:
![Two shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Two shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/4.png)
5. Subtract the rectangle shape from the moon shape (see how to combine shapes to create a custom shape):
![Half moon shape in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Half moon shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/5.png)
6. Add the arrow shape or the triangle shape to create an arrow:
![Arrow shape in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Arrow shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/6.png)
7. Select both shapes and union them. Also, you can add new small round shapes to show the different distances between milestones in your timeline:
![New glossy arrow shape in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Glossy arrow shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/7.png)
Note: Before adding milestone labels, group all objects for the arrow (when you will add pictures for milestones, you may need to change the arrow by stretching a bit or just moving).
8. For each milestone, do the following:
8.1. Add a shape from Callouts (on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click the Shapes dropdown list):
![Collouts shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Collouts shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/shapes365/callouts.png)
In this example, it has been used Callout: Line with No Border:
![Two shapes in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Two shapes in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/shapes365/callout-line.png)
8.2. Right-click on the shape and choose Format Shape... in the popup menu:
![Format shape in popup in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Format shape in popup in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/format_shape.png)
8.3. On the Format Shape pane, on the Shape Options tab, in the Fill & Line group, in the Fill section, select the Picture or texture fill checkbox and then click Insert... button:
![Insert file in Format Picture pane PowerPoint 365 Insert file in Format Picture pane PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/shape_insert_picture.png)
8.4. In the Insert Pictures dialog box, choose the picture location, select the picture file, and then click Open or Insert:
![Insert picture in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Insert picture in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/powerpoint_button365/insert_pictures.png)
8.5. Position the shape and line of the shape:
![Collouts line to shape in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Collouts line to shape in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/10.png)
8.6. Add the text box with the year and position it to the appropriate milestone:
![Timeline milestones in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Timeline milestones in PowerPoint 365](/images/tips/414/11.png)
9. Add any other adjustments to your slide.
See also this tip in French: Comment créer une ligne du temps dans PowerPoint.