Customizing the Appearance of the Timescale

To access the customization features available for the timescale, click on the timescale in your timeline chart. This will open the Timescale tab on the ribbon bar. In this tab you can choose which labels to display, the label font, along with its size and color, tick preferences, as well as the timescale shape with its fill, outline and effects. As you select customization options, the timescale will automatically update with your preferences.

In this article

• Showing labels
• Customizing the font
• Formatting tick marks
• Selecting the timescale shape and fill
• Formatting the outline
• Choosing effects
  

Showing labels

You can choose to display or hide the inner and outer labels of the timescale.

To show/hide labels:

1. In the Labels group, click the Hide checkbox for the Inner Label and/or Outer Label. A checkmark indicates the label is hidden and will not be displayed on the chart.
2. To show the labels, simply click the Hide checkbox again to remove the checkmark.
   

Customizing the font

To customize the timescale font:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Labels group, select the font, font size and color settings as desired for the Inner Label and Outer Label.
   

Formatting tick marks

To hide/show minor tick marks:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Tick Marks group, click Show Minor Tick. A checkmark in the checkbox indicates that minor ticks will be displayed on the timescale.
   

To customize the minor and major tick colors:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Tick Marks group, select the down arrow beside Minor Tick or Major Tick, as desired.
3. Select a color from the options shown.
   

Note: this customization feature is not applicable to the Vertical Chart.

Selecting the timescale shape and fill

To change the timescale shape:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Shape group, click on the desired shape.
   

To select a single color for the timescale shape fill:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale 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 timescale shape fill:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale 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.
   

To use a picture for the timescale shape fill:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill, and select Picture.
3. In the Picture dialog, choose one of the graphics included with Timeline Maker Pro, or click the Browse button to browse to and select a picture from your own collection.
4. Select the down arrow at the top of the dialog box to choose how the picture will be displayed. Options include: Maintain Aspect, Stretch, or Tile.
5. If you wish, select Watermark to lighten the picture to a watermark.
6. Click the OK button.
   

Tip: If you wish to leave the timescale shape fill blank, select No Fill in the Shape Fill drop down list.

Formatting the outline

To customize the timescale shape outline:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale 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 timescale shape effects:

1. While viewing the timeline chart, select the Timescale tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Effects.
3. Click Bevel or Shadow and select the desired options.