Customizing Events in the Bar Timeline

To access the customization features available for the events on the Bar Timeline, select one or more events in your timeline chart. This will open the Event, Format tab. In this tab you can choose the font, along with its size, formatting and color, amount of information to be displayed, text position, and date display. You can also customize the bar shape with its fill, outline and effects. As you select customization options, the events will automatically update with your preferences.

In this article

• Customizing the font
• Choosing content and text position
• Selecting the bar shape and fill
• Formatting the outline
• Choosing effects
• Customizing the date and time display
  

Customizing the font

To customize the event font:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Text group, change the font settings as desired.
   

Choosing content and text position

To select information to be displayed on events:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Content group, click the Show button and select the information to be displayed on the event(s). All columns in the Event List are available for selection.
   

Tip: You can edit event data in the Event List, or by double clicking on the event to open the Edit dialog. Make the desired changes and click the OK button. Event data will be modified for the entire timeline file.

To choose the position of event text:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Content group, select one of the four available options for Text Position, including: Auto, Inside, Left and Right.
   

Selecting the bar shape and fill

To change the bar shape:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click on the desired shape.
   

To select a single color for the bar fill:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill.
3. Choose a color from either the Theme Colors (drawn from the theme currently in use), Standard Colors, or click More Colors to choose a custom color.
   

To use a gradient for the bar fill:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill, and select Gradient.
3. At the top of the Gradient dialog, select the two colors you wish to use.
4. Select a gradient style, then click OK.
   

Formatting the outline

To customize the bar outline:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Outline.
3. Select the Color, Size and Style as desired.
   

Choosing effects

To customize the bar effects:

1. While viewing the Bar Timeline, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Effects.
3. Click Bevel or Shadow and select the desired options.
   

Customizing the date and time display

To customize how the date and time are displayed on events:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select one or more events. This will open the Event, Format tab.
2. In the Date/Time group, click the Display Format button.
3. Select the desired display style. A checkmark indicates the style in use.
   

Tip: If you have dates and times listed for your events but only wish to show times or vice versa, in the Display Format list select either No Date to show only the time, or No Time to show only the date, according to your preference.

Note: For more information on customizing dates in your timeline chart, see also: Customizing Date & Time Display.