TimelinePlot
✖
TimelinePlot
Details and Options




- TimelinePlot shows when events occur relative to each other.
- Possible forms of datei include:
-
DateObject[…],TimeObject[…] date or time object "string" DateString specification {y,m,d,h,m,s} DateList specification {y}, {y,m}, {y,m,d}, … shortened date list t absolute time given as a single number - In shortened date lists, omitted elements are taken to have default values {y,1,1,0,0,0}.
- The eventi can have the forms:
-
date1 a single date or time DateInterval[{date1,date2}] a start date date1 and end date date2 Entity[…] an entity with dates according to the property "Date" Entity[…]prop an entity with dates according to the property prop - Datasets datai can be given in the following forms:
-
{event1,event2,…} dates, times, intervals, entities, etc. TimeSeries[…] interval with start and end dates EventSeries[…] treat each time as an event {Entity[…],…}prop entities with dates according to the property prop EntityClass[…] entities with dates according to the property "Date" EntityClass[…]prop entities with dates according to the property prop <k1event1,k2event2,… > association of keys and events wi[formi,…] a date or event with value formi and wrapper wi - TimelinePlot[Tabular[…]cspec] extracts and plots values from the tabular object using the column specification cspec.
- The following forms of column specifications cspec are allowed for plotting tabular data:
-
col plot dates from column col {col1,col2,…,coln} plot columns {col1, …, coln} as groups of dates - The following wrappers wi can be used:
-
Annotation[e,label] provide an annotation Button[e,action] define an action to execute when the element is clicked EventHandler[e,…] define a general event handler for the element Hyperlink[e,uri] make the element act as a hyperlink Labeled[e,…] display the element with labeling Legended[e,…] include features of the element in a chart legend Mouseover[e,over] make the element show a mouseover form PopupWindow[e,cont] attach a popup window to the element StatusArea[e,label] display in the status area when the element is moused over Style[e,opts] show the element using the specified styles Tooltip[e,label] attach an arbitrary tooltip to the element - TimelinePlot has the same options as Graphics with the following additions and changes: [List of all options]
-
AspectRatio Automatic overall ratio of width to height Axes True whether to draw a time axis AxesOrigin Automatic where to draw a time axis DateFunction Automatic how to convert dates to standard form DateTicksFormat Automatic format for date tick labels Filling Automatic filling to insert under each event FillingStyle Automatic style for filling LabelingFunction Automatic how to label elements LegendAppearance Automatic overall appearance of legends PerformanceGoal $PerformanceGoal aspects of performance to try to optimize PlotLayout Automatic overall layout to use PlotLegends None legends for datasets PlotMarkers None markers to use to indicate each event PlotStyle Automatic style for events PlotTheme $PlotTheme overall theme for the plot Spacings Automatic spacing between datasets and axis TimeZone $TimeZone time zone to use for the plot - Possible settings for AxesOrigin include: Left, Right, Bottom, Top, and Center.
- Possible settings for Filling include:
-
Axis fill to the axis None no filling Bottom fill to the bottom of the plot Top fill to the top of the plot Above fill to the row above Below fill to the row below - TimelinePlot will place events in different rows. The overall placement in different rows can be affected using PlotLayout and the spacing between rows can controlled using Spacings.
- Possible settings for PlotLayout include:
-
"Grouped" each dataset uses a minimum number of rows "Overlapped" each dataset uses a single row "Packed" use minimum number of rows for all events "Stacked" each event has a separate row "Vertical","VerticalGrouped",… vertical forms of layouts "Reverse","ReverseVertical",… reversed forms of layouts - Possible settings for Spacings include:
-
Automatic space rows evenly apart None no space between rows, but space to axis {s1,s2,…} use space s1 from axis to first row, then space s2, etc. - Style and other specifications from options and other constructs in TimelinePlot are effectively applied in the order PlotStyle, then Style and other wrappers, with later specifications overriding earlier ones.
-
AlignmentPoint Center the default point in the graphic to align with AspectRatio Automatic overall ratio of width to height Axes True whether to draw a time axis AxesLabel None axes labels AxesOrigin Automatic where to draw a time axis AxesStyle {} style specifications for the axes Background None background color for the plot BaselinePosition Automatic how to align with a surrounding text baseline BaseStyle {} base style specifications for the graphic ContentSelectable Automatic whether to allow contents to be selected CoordinatesToolOptions Automatic detailed behavior of the coordinates tool DateFunction Automatic how to convert dates to standard form DateTicksFormat Automatic format for date tick labels Epilog {} primitives rendered after the main plot Filling Automatic filling to insert under each event FillingStyle Automatic style for filling FormatType TraditionalForm the default format type for text Frame False whether to put a frame around the plot FrameLabel None frame labels FrameStyle {} style specifications for the frame FrameTicks Automatic frame ticks FrameTicksStyle {} style specifications for frame ticks GridLines None grid lines to draw GridLinesStyle {} style specifications for grid lines ImageMargins 0. the margins to leave around the graphic ImagePadding All what extra padding to allow for labels etc. ImageSize Automatic the absolute size at which to render the graphic LabelingFunction Automatic how to label elements LabelStyle {} style specifications for labels LegendAppearance Automatic overall appearance of legends Method Automatic details of graphics methods to use PerformanceGoal $PerformanceGoal aspects of performance to try to optimize PlotLabel None an overall label for the plot PlotLayout Automatic overall layout to use PlotLegends None legends for datasets PlotMarkers None markers to use to indicate each event PlotRange All range of values to include PlotRangeClipping False whether to clip at the plot range PlotRangePadding Automatic how much to pad the range of values PlotRegion Automatic the final display region to be filled PlotStyle Automatic style for events PlotTheme $PlotTheme overall theme for the plot PreserveImageOptions Automatic whether to preserve image options when displaying new versions of the same graphic Prolog {} primitives rendered before the main plot RotateLabel True whether to rotate y labels on the frame Spacings Automatic spacing between datasets and axis Ticks Automatic axes ticks TicksStyle {} style specifications for axes ticks TimeZone $TimeZone time zone to use for the plot
List of all options




Examples
open allclose allBasic Examples (4)Summary of the most common use cases
Plot several dates on a timeline:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-zoenu8


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-cw0l04


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-wuiur6

Plot multiple sets of dates and intervals:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-6qgcvc

Scope (34)Survey of the scope of standard use cases
Data (14)
Plot a timeline using DateObject:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-vfyd9c

Using TimeObject:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-kidwtx

Using DateString specifications:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-pifx9l

Plot the "Date" property from a list of entities:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-eysoa5

Use a specific property for a list of entities:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ercgj0

Use a specific property for a class of entities:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-61v24c

Using DateList specifications:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-m2jlt5

Use DateFunction to prepend a year to {month,day} lists:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-7c9htj

Using AbsoluteTime specifications:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-spel8o


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-nt2z8x

TimeSeries shows the overall range of dates:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-yrqz3s

EventSeries shows the discrete event dates:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-vixtf3

Keys in an Association are used as labels:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-gi55ky

Plot dates from a variety of sources:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-qfmmj8

Tabular Data (1)
Generate tabular data and generate DateObject instances that could be used:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-k8z0w

Plot the scientists' dates of birth:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-dhvreo


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-jqwwlm

Use PivotToColumns to split LifeSpan column based on the area of knowledge of the scientists:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ekwova

Display the lifespans for the mathematicians and physicists separately:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-bw1k7n

Wrappers (4)
Use wrappers on individual data, datasets, or collections of datasets:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-oczy0i


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-xx43an

Use PopupWindow to provide additional drilldown information:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ignzjr

Use Legended to add an additional legend:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-o8w1y4

Layouts (4)
Pack the events in each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-kat5lc

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-x6v1le

Use a single row for all events in each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-5zwibd


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-b72jb1

Use a single row for each event:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-bibqqs


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-2cq9me

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-60sviz

Plot time increasing from the right:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-hx1cyx

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-q9tg0q

Plot time increasing from the bottom:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-3686rf

Place all events in the same row:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-2ezo8u

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-gstjun

Place all events along the axis:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-9advvt

Draw the first row of events along the axis:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-vy7yy6

Increase the spacing between successive rows of events:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-3crkgm

Presentation (5)
Use a theme with a bold color scheme:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-knwgnm

Use unique markers for each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ztx748

Use PlotStyle to change styles of events:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-8v93ff

Use Filling to fill the events:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-6l75pz

Change the FillingStyle:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-in4fq7

Labeling and Legending (6)
Use Labeled to add bubble labels:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-s6xrqn

Specify locations for the labels:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ol2a63

Entity and EntityClass automatically create bubble labels when possible:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-2o60tt

Create automatic placeholder legends for each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-gldc1d

Use Legended to highlight a specific event:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-64zwya

PlotLegends->"Expressions" automatically picks up labels:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-t36xlb

Options (41)Common values & functionality for each option
AspectRatio (1)
AxesOrigin (2)
The axis is below the events by default:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-1nk00h


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-xp1cmk


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-w0ucc0

Change the axis position along with PlotLayout:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-f0ov5v

DateFunction (2)
Filling (1)
FillingStyle (4)
FillingStyle follows PlotStyle by default:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-185x99

Fill with the opaque plot style:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-g798i1


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-dnghuo


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-3mehzk

GridLines (2)
LabelingFunction (4)
Events automatically get a tooltip with the date or date range:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-wyix5p

Entities are automatically labeled with a bubble:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-xahyqu

Do not add tooltips or any other labels:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-737bwy


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-5wq8gr

Write a custom label format to put in a Tooltip:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-8tku0w

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-28nx6b

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-jcsimp

PerformanceGoal (3)
Generate a plot with interactive highlighting:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-u3cy2m

Emphasize performance by disabling interactive behaviors:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-qmjebl

Typically, less memory is required for noninteractive plots:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-1eytp

PlotLayout (3)
Pack the events in each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-6jpa6z

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-ggora8

Use a single row for all events in each dataset:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-v7c6qt


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-rprrd6

Use a single row for each event:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-08i2x5


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-y73d0c

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-79f9ep

Plot time increasing from the right:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-q41tu1

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-d1729z

Plot time increasing from the bottom:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-cy7l0g

PlotLegends (2)
Create a legend based on distinguishable colors:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-nnqymx

Use Placed to position legends:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-hsjryg

PlotMarkers (3)
Use unique PlotMarkers to distinguish sets of events:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-5v8azu


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-zxghm8


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-virbdl


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-j0o0cs

PlotRange (2)
PlotRange is automatically calculated:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-4j1tr1

Use date format to specify plot range:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-h7o5ud

PlotStyle (4)
Use thick, black lines for the plot:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-xhpka9

By default, different styles are chosen for multiple datasets:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-7oges8

Explicitly specify the style for different datasets:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-nm11oq

Use built-in named and indexed color schemes:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-nhv9ey

PlotTheme (2)
Spacings (4)
Place all events in the same row:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-10lqgf

Place all events along the axis:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-idth2u

Place the first set of events along the axis and evenly space the rest:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-xdc0m7

Use different spacings between events:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-mpryo3

TimeZone (2)
Plots are shown using the setting of $TimeZone:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-n5ds6t


https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-03xudh

Applications (3)Sample problems that can be solved with this function
Show the holidays in a year for several countries:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-mbjdre

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-x41rrq

Plot Mathematica release dates:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-nasgjq

Create a timeline of the wives of Henry VIII:

https://wolfram.com/xid/0dqu8iqwezm-1zbb0k

Wolfram Research (2015), TimelinePlot, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html (updated 2025).
Text
Wolfram Research (2015), TimelinePlot, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html (updated 2025).
Wolfram Research (2015), TimelinePlot, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html (updated 2025).
CMS
Wolfram Language. 2015. "TimelinePlot." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. Last Modified 2025. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html.
Wolfram Language. 2015. "TimelinePlot." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. Last Modified 2025. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (2015). TimelinePlot. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html
Wolfram Language. (2015). TimelinePlot. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html
BibTeX
@misc{reference.wolfram_2025_timelineplot, author="Wolfram Research", title="{TimelinePlot}", year="2025", howpublished="\url{https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html}", note=[Accessed: 28-March-2025
]}
BibLaTeX
@online{reference.wolfram_2025_timelineplot, organization={Wolfram Research}, title={TimelinePlot}, year={2025}, url={https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/TimelinePlot.html}, note=[Accessed: 28-March-2025
]}