How to Make a Time Line in Microsoft Excel

1. Gather all the information you need for the time line.
2. Open Microsoft Excel. Click on the Excel desktop icon or find Excel in the Start Menu under 'All Programs.'
3. Click the 'File' tab and pick 'New' to start a new spreadsheet.
4. Add a title to your time line. Click 'Insert' and then choose 'Header and Footer.' Type the title in the header section. Format the title to suit your needs and click 'OK.'
5. Move a few rows down the spreadsheet and input the first date. You can format the cells all at once or individually. If you are including times in your chart you may want to format the cells separately.
6. Format the descriptions so they appear vertically instead of horizontally in your time line. Highlight the cell or groups of cells you want to change. Click the 'Format' tab. Choose 'Cells.' When the format window opens pick 'Alignment.' Change the number in the 'Degrees' box. The diagram on the side displays the look of the angle you chose.
7. Create borders around the cells or the entire time line. Highlight the cells. Select 'Format' from the menu bar. Now pick 'Borders' and choose the type of border to use from the list provided.
8. Add a background color to specific cells. Select the cells you want to add color to. Choose 'Fill Color' or select the paint brush from the draw tool bar at the bottom of the screen. Pick a color and click 'OK.'
9. Insert pictures into the time line. Choose 'Insert' from the menu bar and then click on 'Picture.' Choose a file from your computer or a clip art from Excel's clip art gallery.
10. Save the time line. Select 'File' from the menu bar and then click 'Save' from the drop-down menu.
11. Print your time line. Click 'File' on the menu bar. Pick 'Print' from the drop-down menu and click 'OK.'