Timeline

TimelineJS: Open-Source Interactive Timeline Tool

• Core Functionality: An open-source tool for building interactive, media-rich timelines. Beginners can use Google Spreadsheets; experts can use JSON for custom installations.
• Four-Step Creation Process:
  1. Spreadsheet: Use the provided template in Google Drive. Do not change headers, remove columns, or leave blank rows.
  2. Publish: Use the "Publish to the Web" feature in Google Sheets and copy the resulting URL.
  3. Generate: Paste the spreadsheet URL into the TimelineJS generator tool.
  4. Share/Embed: Use the provided link or embed code to display the timeline on a website.
• Media Support: Integrates with Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo, Vine, Dailymotion, Google Maps, Wikipedia, SoundCloud, Document Cloud, and more.
• Best Practices:
  • Keep timelines under 20 slides.
  • Focus on strong chronological narratives.
  • Include events that build toward major occurrences.
• Data Management: Timelines pull data directly from the Google Sheet every time they are viewed. Editing the spreadsheet automatically updates the timeline without needing to republish. Do not delete the source spreadsheet.
• Technical Notes:
  • Formatting: Text fields support basic HTML (e.g., <p>, <b>, <i>).
  • Dates: Supports BCE dates (use negative years) and ancient dates (up to 250,000+ years ago).
  • Privacy: Using Google Sheets requires publishing to the web. For restricted access, users must use JSON format and direct JavaScript instantiation.
  • Compatibility: Optimized for Google Chrome; works on modern browsers (IE10+). Not compatible with WordPress.com.
• Support: Available via FAQ, introductory videos, support forums, and a tech support web form. Bugs can be reported via GitHub.