Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing

How do I qualify for the Educational discount?
Is the CD-Rom version of the software any different than the download?

Installing/Activating

Activation error message
Activation limit reached
Activation – “Next” button is grayed out.
How can I tell if I have the latest version of the program?
Can Timeline Maker be run over a network?
MacIntosh Compatibility?

Creating a Timeline File

Can Timeline Maker Professional read Timeline Maker Student (*.tlm) files?
Can I import data into Timeline Maker Professional?
Can I rename any of the columns in the Event Entry?
Is there a limit to the number of events or categories that can be used in a timeline file?
Can I make more than one chart from one timeline file?
How do I create additional charts in a timeline file?
Can I merge two timelines?
Can two people work on the timeline at the same time?

Working with Charts

Am I limited to the themes that come with the program?
How do I change the default theme?
How can I easily make all the events in a category the same color?
How can I edit more then one event at a time?
How do I create an event “style”?
Can I show my notes, or any other event data, on my timeline chart?
Can I choose where the event text appears on a Bar Chart?
What is the difference between Presentation mode and PowerPoint® integration?
Why can´t I see Timeline Maker Professional on the menu in PowerPoint?

Sharing, Publishing and Printing

Can I send my timeline file/chart to another person who doesn’t have Timeline Maker?
How can I send my timeline file to someone else and ensure they receive all of the accompanying linked files?
How do I make sure that my chart fits on one page?
How do I center my chart on the page when printed?
How can I make a chart wider or narrower (more or less pages wide)?

Purchasing

How do I qualify for the Educational discount?

You must be an active Student/Teacher/Professor and send us proof of your status. Proof can come in the form of a Student ID, a website that bears your name or any sort of proof of employment or enrollment. Please contact sales to get your educational discount.

Is the CD-Rom version of the software any different than the download?

No, the CD and download versions are identical in content.

Installing / Activating

Activation error message

I receive the following error message when trying to activate the product: "You do not have sufficient privileges to perform this operation. Please contact your local administrator for assistance". The solution is to ensure that you log on as an Administrator (Windows) when you are activating Timeline Maker.

Activation limit reached

When trying to activate the software it says that I´ve reached my activation limit. Please contact customer support and provide us with your serial number and an explanation as to why you think an extra activation might be required.

Activation – “Next” button is grayed out.

Please ensure that all required (bold) fields are filled in with data. Once these fields are completed the Next button will become active.

How can I tell if I have the latest version of the program?

Start the program and go to Help then select Check for Updates. This will let you know if you have the latest version of Timeline Maker.

Can Timeline Maker be run over a network?

No, Timeline Maker can not be run over a network. It must be installed and activated on each user’s computer.

MacIntosh Compatibility?

There is no Mac compatible version of Timeline Maker, however, it can be run on a Mac with Windows emulation.

Creating a Timeline File

Can Timeline Maker Professional read Timeline Maker Student (*.tlm) files?

Yes. You can open and view a Timeline Maker Student file, but if you make any changes, the file will be saved in the Timeline Maker Professional file format, with a *.tlmp file extension. Your original file will not be affected.

To open a Timeline Maker Student file in Timeline Maker Professional, click on File > Open. Change the File of Type to *.TLM from the available list. Then browse to and open your Timeline Maker Student file.

Can I import data into Timeline Maker Professional?

You can import events from a tab delimited text file (*.txt, *.tab, *.asc) or a comma separated value file (*.csv, *.asc). They need to be in a specific format. For more information about importing files, see the help file section titled "Import".

Can I rename any of the columns in the Event Entry?

Yes, you can rename the Place, Source or Notes column by simply right clicking on the top of the column.

Is there a limit to the number of events or categories that can be used in a timeline file?

No.

Can I make more than one chart from one timeline file?

Yes. Using the same timeline file you can create many different charts, each with a different look, size or sub-set of events. The maximum number of charts per timeline file is 99.

How do I create additional charts in a timeline file?

You can create an additional chart by selecting the Charts menu option on the toolbar, then select New Flag Chart or New Bar Chart.

Can I merge two timelines?

There is no merge function in the program, however, you can export data from one timeline file to another by using the File > Export feature. Once the file is exported then you can import the newly exported file into the second timeline file through File > Import.

Another method: Some or all event records from the event entry screen can be copied and pasted into another timeline file’s event entry screen.

Can two people work on the timeline at the same time?

Two people can not work on the same file simultaneously. You will need to ensure that only one person at a time is editing the timeline file.

Working with Charts

Am I limited to the themes that come with the program?

No. Timeline Maker Professional allows you to create user-defined themes. These can be given their own descriptive name (i.e. ACME Company theme), saved and used for any chart you create. This is helpful if you want to create a theme based on your corporate colors, for example.

How do I change the default theme?

This change is made in the program preferences. Click on Tools > Options. Select the Chart tab. Select your preferred Default Theme from the list. This theme will be used when you create your next new chart.

How can I easily make all the events in a category the same color?

Right click on a style in the style selector and choose Apply to Category then select which category you would like to apply the style to.

How can I edit more then one event at a time?

You can select multiple events by holding down the “control” key and selecting all the events you want. Once selected, right click on any event and select Format Event. Any changes that are made will be applied to all the selected events.

How do I create an event “style”?

Event styles are created automatically based on the content of your chart. If you change the elements (color, font size, fill, shadow) of an object (event, title, footer, picture) on your chart then that “style” will be added to your style selector.

Can I show my notes, or any other event data, on my timeline chart?

Yes, you can show more data on the timeline chart by double clicking on an event. Once you are in the Format dialog you can select the Content tab and there is an option to “Show the following event details:” From that drop down list you can select which fields to show on your chart.

Can I choose where the event text appears on a Bar Chart?

Yes. Simply right click on the event and choose Event Text Positioning, then select where you want the text to appear in relation to the event box.

What is the difference between Presentation mode and PowerPoint® integration?

Timeline Maker Professional has a built in presentation mode with various display options. This allows you to "present" one or a series of charts, event by event if desired. In PowerPoint, you can insert and view these same timeline charts - including their presentation functions - with other PowerPoint slides for a seamless and powerful presentation.

Why can´t I see Timeline Maker Professional on the menu in PowerPoint?

You will need to re-register the Timeline Maker Controls (add-in) for use in PowerPoint®. To do this, open Timeline Maker Professional then go to Tools > Options. Click the Presentation tab. Click the Advanced button. Say Yes to the question "Register Timeline Maker controls for use in MS PowerPoint?". This will be followed by a successful registration message.

Sharing, Publishing and Printing

Can I send my timeline file/chart to another person who doesn’t have Timeline Maker?

Yes, there are a few options to send a timeline to another person:
1) Publish the timeline chart – Using the Publish feature (File > Publish) you can save a timeline chart as an image (GIF, BMP, JPG, TIF, PNG), HTML file or a PDF file.
2) Use the Send-To E-mail feature (File > Send to > Mail Recipient) – When viewing a timeline select the “Send to E-mail” feature and this will launch your e-mail client with a copy of your timeline chart in JPG format attached to the e-mail.
3) Send the timeline file – You can send the timeline file and ask the recipient to download the free Timeline Maker Viewer. This will allow them to view, print or present the timeline file. They will not be able to change the timeline file with the Viewer.

How can I send my timeline file to someone else and ensure they receive all of the accompanying linked files?

When you are ready to send the file you can use Package for Sharing found under the File menu option on the toolbar. This will combine your timeline file (*.tlmp) with any linked files and package it in a TLMZ file. The TLMZ file can then be opened with either Timeline Maker Professional or the free Timeline Maker Viewer.

How do I make sure that my chart fits on one page?

When you are ready to print your chart go to File > Print Preview. Select the Fit to One Page button and your chart will automatically be sized to fit on one page.

How do I center my chart on the page when printed?

When you are ready to print your chart go to File > Print Preview. Check the Center option and your chart will be centered on the page(s).

How can I make a chart wider or narrower (more or less pages wide)?

This is accomplished by expanding or compressing the time scale. Simply select the time scale on your chart and use the right and left arrow keys to expand and compress it. You can also right click on the time scale and select Expand or Compress Time Scale (also available on the toolbar under Time Scale).