Entering Dates

In this topic

• Entering Dates
• Use Current Date
• Date Format
• BC Dates
• Entering Start or End Time

Entering Dates

In order for an event to be included in a timeline chart, it must have at least one calendar date entered in either the Start or End fields.

To enter an event date:

1. In the Timeline Data, click in the Start or End field for the corresponding event.
2. Enter the date, then press Tab or Enter on your keyboard.
   OR
   Click on the Calendar button and select the desired date. Note: The calendar is not effective for dates prior to October, 1752.
   

Important: If you do not enter a year in your event date (e.g. 22 January), the program will assume the event takes place in the current year when placing the event on a timeline chart.

Tip: Timeline Maker Pro is flexible as to how you enter your dates. For more information, see also: Date Format.

Note: If the End date entered occurs before the Start date, the Start, End and Duration will be displayed in red.

To select the default format for how dates and times are displayed on timeline charts, select File > Options > Date and click the down arrow next to Display date as or Display time as and select your preference. See also: Setting User Preferences, Date Tab and Customizing the Date & Time Display.

Use Current Date

To always use the current date as a Start or End date, enter TODAY the Start or End field. The event will now always appear with today’s date in your timeline charts.

Date Format

Timeline Maker Pro will accept any variation of YMD (Year, Month, Day), DMY or MDY that can be interpreted with certainty. For example, the program will interpret any of the following data entry methods to produce the date of 2 January 1932:

• 2 Jan 1932
• 2 Jan 32
• Jan 2 1932
• Jan 2 32
• 2 January 1932
• 2 January 32
• January 2 1932
• January 2 32
• 1932 Jan 02
• 32 Jan 02
• 1932 January 02
• 32 January 02

Numeric dates are interpreted according to your preference set in File > Options > Date. In the When Entering Date section of the tab, click the down arrow under Interpret month/day order as and select DD/MM or MM/DD. Depending on your selection, the following numeric dates will produce the date of 2 January 1932:

If DD/MM is selected:

• 02 01 1932
• 02 01 32
• 1932 01 02
• 32 01 02*
  

If MM/DD is selected:

• 01 02 1932
• 01 02 32
• 1932 01 02
• 32 01 02*
  

*If the last two digits of the year had been 31 or less, a four digit year would have been required due to the ambiguity of the date.

Note: Timeline Maker Pro requires that you have a space between the day, month and year. Otherwise, you must use a date separator, such as: / – , or . (eg. 02/01/32; 02-01-32; 02,01,32; or 02.01.32)

BC/BCE Dates

Your dates can be displayed using either BC or BCE (e.g. 1000 BC or 1000 BCE). Select your preference in File > Options > Date. Select the down arrow next to BC/BCE Dates and click on your style choice.

Tip: To ensure that you will be able to create the timelines you need, the program allows you to enter dates as far back as 20 Billion BC/BCE (20000000000 BC/BCE) and into the future up to 20 Billion AD/CE (20000000000).

Entering Start or End Time

1. Select the Timeline Data tab
2. Click in the corresponding event field under Start or End.
3. Enter the date, followed by the time, or simply enter the time with no date. For example: 5 Jan 2015 5:30PM
4. Press Enter or Tab on your keyboard to move to the next field, or click in the field of your choice using your mouse.

Important: If you do not enter a date along with the time, the program will assume the event takes place on today’s date when placing the event on a timeline chart.

The following entry methods will all produce the time of 2:00 PM on 5 Jan 2019:

• 5 Jan 2019 2PM
• 5 Jan 2019 2 PM
• 5 Jan 2019 2:00PM
• 5 Jan 2019 2:00 PM
• 5 Jan 2019 14:00