Creating an Unbound Timeline
When you choose to create an Unbound Timeline, a template window will appear. These are ready-made timeline templates that pre-create fields so you don't have to create them yourself.
Tip: Choose the 'Classic timeline' template if you want the timeline structure similar to our classic timelines with titles, descriptions, dates and images.
Template window appears when you choose to create an Unbound timeline.
You can also choose to skip the templates (press 'Skip' at the bottom of the window), but this gives you the most bare-bones structure.
How do I learn more about timeline templates?
Take a look at the timeline templates page on Timetoast, where you can see examples and learn more about each template. There are examples of templates for product roadmaps, client onboarding, product launches, biographies and school projects. Timeline templates help you get quickly started on your project.
Once you've made your template selection, the Unbound project editor window will pop up and you can give your project a name.
Unbound project editor window when you choose an Unbound Timeline.
Next, choose who can edit your timeline project. Timetoast allows you to collaborate on timelines and choose who can edit your timelines. If you have a premium account, you have the option to make it editable by all account members or only editable by you.
If a timeline is editable by other account members, it will also be included in their list of timeline projects. If you set it to just editable by you, then it will only show up for you and they won't be able to edit it.
If you’re on the free plan, there’s just one account member. Only the Editable by Account members option is available in this case.
You can also add a photo or image if you’d like. Just press on the box under ‘Photo’ and a photo editor pop up will emerge. You can drag and drop the photo file that you would like to upload, or browse your files to choose an image to upload. The maximum photo size is 10 MB.
Finally, press the 'Add' button. The timeline project is now created and you will be taken to your timeline project.
Don't forget to press the 'Add' button to save your timeline. If you close the project editor window or click outside the window before pressing the 'Add' button, your timeline project will not be created.
To learn more about adding items and completing an Unbound timeline project, check out our article on Creating Unbound Projects.
Adding items
You can add items to your Unbound timeline project by using the 'Add item +' button at the top right of the project view.
You can also quick add items in the grid view. To learn more, refer to our article on adding items in grid view.
'Add item +' button
In any of the timeline views (grid, horizontal, vertical), you will see an 'Add item +' on the top right in the project header. The examples below use the 'Classic timeline' template.
Click on the 'Add item +' button to open the item editor window.
Click the 'Add item +' button and it will pop up the item editor window. In the item editor window, add the details for your item.
How the item editor looks will depend on the fields in your project.
Item editor window
To format the description and add links, you can refer to our formatting guide. This will show you how to bold or italicize texts, add lists or bullets, add quotes and links to other websites. The ‘Preview’ tab shows you how it will look once you’ve written your description.
Add a date to your event by clicking on 'Select date(s)'. This could be when the event happened or a target date, for example, if you are planning a project.
You can input the dates either by inputting in the date boxes or by clicking on the calendar icon and selecting the appropriate date.
You can change the date input format if you prefer to input your dates in a different format (e.g. DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY).
You can have start and end dates, or a single date. If you don't select an end date, your item will be displayed as a single point in time.
Adding dates in the item editor
You can add a photo or image to the event if you’d like. Just press on the box under ‘Photo’ and a photo editor pop up will emerge. You can drag and drop the photo file that you would like to upload, or browse your files to choose an image to upload.
If you chose a 'Classic template', there will be a category field. This has already been populated with different categories: General, History, Science, Culture, Technology. You can label your item with one or more categories. You can also edit or add fields by clicking on 'Manage field options'.
You can learn more about the 'multi-select' feature in our blog post. There are cases where you might not want to be able to choose multiple options in a field - learn more about the 'single select' feature in our blog.
Once you have completed the details, press 'Create' to create the item in your project timeline.
Don't forget to press the 'Create' button. If you close the item editor window or click outside the window before pressing the 'Create' button, your timeline item will not be saved.