How to create a timeline on a Mac (2026 edition)

Timelines are excellent for organizing concepts, events, and information. How to make a timeline? You only need a suitable timeline maker on hand to draw a timeline. They are often used in case studies, product design, customer service, and education.

You can create a timeline on a Mac using built-in tools like Pages and Keynote, or with dedicated apps like SheetPlanner and Aeon Timeline. This guide covers all of them. Plus, I’ll walk you through the process of building a timeline, step by step. 

How to build a timeline

If you want to illustrate a series of events graphically, such as the major milestones in a project or significant events in a person’s life, you can easily do that with the help of timeline generators. However, before we cover the best options, I’d like to share a few useful tips on how to make a timeline.

Here’s my step-by-step process for creating a timeline that’s both clear and professional, no matter what tool you use.

1. Gather the data you require

Before you start building, you’ll want to collect all the information you plan to include, whether it be for a project timeline, an agenda, or an outline of a historical event for a college project. 

The timeline often shows dates, times, locations, etc. Depending on your goal, you can add more information (such as a description of the event).

2. Make the timeline’s outline

To help you through the process, start by drafting a rough outline. This stage will help you select and catalog the essential information from the materials you collected. Your timeline should have the following basic elements: dates, the name of the event, its details, etc. 

Choose the start and end points, then list the events that occurred between those dates in chronological sequence.

3. Pick a layout for your timeline

You can choose between the most popular timeline layouts: vertical, horizontal, and snake.

• Vertical layout: When you have too many things to showcase, use a vertical layout. With each new point added, you can expand the vertical chronology because it’s always simpler to scroll down than to the side.
• Horizontal layout: When your timeline contains fewer points, you can use a horizontal one. It’s the layout style that works best for presentation slides.

• Snake (zig-zag) layout: The snake layout is ideal for a lot of points and little text. Use the snake layout rather than the vertical timeline if you’d rather confine your timeline to one page. Additionally, there is space to add photos.

4. Make your timeline more appealing

Use colors, shapes, and fonts to make the timeline of events stand out, provide a uniform appearance, and, most importantly, bring attention to key elements. For example, you can group related events with the same color or use different shapes for milestones versus tasks. 

To further explain an event or task on the timeline, use images. This can improve the timeline’s clarity and aesthetic look.

What is the best timeline software for a Mac?

The best timeline software for Mac depends on what you want to achieve. A project timeline can be easily created using Mac native tools, but to make it professional, you need a solid timeline software.

To compile this list, I first used the GPT Productivity Tool Finder, describing common timeline use cases to generate relevant suggestions quickly. Then I tested those tools and selected the ones that performed best.

Here’s a quick comparison of my top timeline tools for Mac:

App	Ways to create a timeline	Hidden gem	Best for	Pricing
SheetPlanner	Gantt, Timeline, Board, and Year views — switch between layouts without re-entering data	Gantt view supports day, week, month, quarter, and year scales in one document	Project managers who need task tracking and timeline in the same tool	Setapp Membership from $9.99 + tax/mo
Aeon Timeline	Timeline, Narrative, Subway, Relationship, and Spreadsheet views	Narrative view links timeline events directly to sections in your manuscript	Writers and researchers managing complex, multi-threaded story or case timelines	One-time purchase for $65, includes 12 months of free updates
TimeStory	Drag-and-drop events on a canvas; CSV import for bulk data entry	Lock individual events to prevent accidental moves while editing nearby items	Historians and anyone building personal or life-event timelines on Mac	One-time purchase for $49.99 (Mac App Store)
Diagrams	Flowchart shapes on infinite canvas; connect nodes to show sequence or flow	Zoom out for a bird's-eye overview of a complex multi-step process	Process flows and dependency maps that function as visual timelines	Setapp Membership from $9.99 + tax/mo
Taskheat	Visual flowchart of task dependencies; shows what must happen before what	AI assistant generates a full task sequence from a plain-text project description	Mapping task order and dependencies in a project flow	Setapp Membership from $9.99 + tax/mo

If you still want to try the native options, keep reading to learn how to create timelines on a Mac.

Create a timeline with built-in macOS tools

You don’t always need third-party software to make a timeline. Apple’s suite — Pages, Keynote, and Numbers — gives you plenty of flexibility. I’ll walk you through the process. 

Let’s start with the native macOS tool Pages

Create a timeline in Pages

While there’s no timeline function in Pages, you can still make charts. By using the right kind of chart, you can create a timeline chart. Here’s how:

1. Open Pages.
2. Click New Document and just choose a regular blank document > Click Create.

3. Click the Chart icon above and then use the 2D scatter chart (the left option at the bottom of the page).

4. Then click the Edit Chart Data button to convert this to a timeline. 

5. Clear out everything you see in the chart (click cell 1, then hold Shift and click cell 18, then press Delete).

6. Name the columns for each item

7. Set every X value to zero.

8. Then set the Y values diagonally and close the Chart Data window.

9. You can further adjust this chart by clicking Format in the top right corner of the screen.

If you like to explore Pages more, here’s how to type exponents on a Mac, including the Pages app.

Create a timeline in Keynote

If you’re working on a presentation in Keynote, you can also create timelines to show milestones. 

Keynote has the same Chart option as Pages (it works the same way), so instead, I’ll show you an alternative to create the timeline the way you like.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Keynote and click New Document.
2. Choose a theme and click Create. 
3. Then click Add Slide at the top left > Choose Blank.

4. Click Shape to draw a horizontal or vertical line.

5. Add shapes (circles, rectangles) for events and place them along the line.

6. Use text boxes for event names and dates.

7. Customize with colors and icons as needed.

If you’re into presentations, check out the best presentation tools for Mac.

Create a timeline in Numbers

The Numbers app works the same as the tools above — it has the same Chart option. The only difference is what you use the certain app for. In the case of Numbers, it’s perfect for appealing spreadsheets, budgets, and interactive charts. 

1. Open Numbers and start a new spreadsheet.
2. List your events and dates in two columns.
3. Select your data, then click Chart > 2D Scatter Chart.
4. Adjust X and Y values to plot events chronologically.
5. Use the Format sidebar to style your timeline.

Your scatter chart is now formatted as a timeline. Use the Format sidebar to add labels and fine-tune the layout.

How to create a project timeline

You can create a project timeline using basic spreadsheets or manual methods. However, using dedicated timeline software makes the process more efficient and professional.

A project timeline offers a comprehensive view of the project from beginning to end. You may view a task’s start and due dates as well as its dependency on other tasks, which is crucial information.

Here’s how I usually approach building a project timeline:

1. List all tasks and milestones. Break down your project into actionable steps.
2. Assign start and end dates. Add deadlines for each task.
3. Map dependencies. Figure out which tasks rely on others being finished first.
4. Choose your timeline tool. For projects, I recommend Aeon Timeline, SheetPlanner, or TimeStory.
5. Input your data. Most apps let you import from CSV (Comma-Separated Values) or enter tasks manually.
6. Adjust the layout. Use horizontal Gantt charts for projects with lots of parallel tasks, or vertical charts for sequential events.
7. Share and update. Most tools let you export as a PDF or an image, or share a live link.

Read also:

• Best productivity apps 2026
• Project Management Software for Mac
• Trello App and Alternatives for Mac

Create a timeline online

You may need to create a timeline online so that everyone on your team can quickly access it throughout the project to keep everyone on the same page. Good news: you can create a timeline in Google Docs using the Lucidchart add-on or Google Drawings.

Google Docs or Google Drawings

To create a timeline in Google Docs, take these actions:

1. Open a Google Doc.
2. Click Insert > Drawing > New.
3. Then click the shape icon to add the shapes you want. Once you choose a shape, additional formatting options will appear, and you can double-click on any shape to add text.
4. When you’re finished, click Save and Close.

Google Slides

If you don’t need a complicated visual for your presentation, Google Slides has a quick solution too. You can easily customize any of the provided templates to satisfy your needs.

To create timelines in Google Slides:

1. Open Google Slides > Click Blank presentation > Blank slide.
2. Go to Insert > Diagram.
3. Choose the Timeline template from the right sidebar.
4. Customize with your own events and dates.

Canva & Adobe Express

You can also create a timeline for free using Canva and Adobe Express. Both offer free timeline templates you can customize online.

What is a timeline?

A timeline is a visual chart that arranges events, tasks, or milestones in chronological order along a horizontal or vertical line. It helps viewers quickly understand temporal relationships. Timelines organize concepts and events visually for better presentation.

It functions as a visual horizontal bar chart or organized list, making it easy for users to monitor progress, define durations, and handle dependencies.

Examples of timelines include:

• Document creation
• Projects and roadmaps
• Video or motion editing

Best way to make timelines on Mac

Timelines help you organize and present complex information visually. And you can build basic timelines using Apple’s built-in tools (Pages, Keynote, Numbers), but dedicated apps like Aeon Timeline, TimeStory, and SheetPlanner offer more power and flexibility. Online tools (Office Timeline Online, Lucidchart, Canva) make it easy to collaborate and share.

Mac native tools can be really handy in many cases, but not always the right option. When you need a professional, nice-looking timeline, dedicated third-party apps may be your best bet. I suggest using SheetPlanner, Taskheat, and Diagrams to create timelines and manage tasks within them.

Still building timelines the hard way? SheetPlanner, Diagrams, and Taskheat — three of the best Mac tools — are all included in Setapp's 250+ app library. Free for 7 days. Get 250+ Apps Free. Already know which app you want? Browse Setapp Marketplace — no membership needed for individual apps.