{"id":13617,"date":"2013-01-01T06:18:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-01T06:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arliemediadesign.com\/?p=13617"},"modified":"2025-04-02T06:30:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T06:30:25","slug":"excel-hints-tips-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happy.co.uk\/blogs\/excel-hints-tips-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Excel Hints & Tips – Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all like a good Pivot Table don\u2019t we? But to get the full range of summary options we sometimes need to add more than we\u2019d like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, in my personnel database I want a summary of salary and bonus for each department. But I also want to be able to filter the results by the start date of the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this I would have produced a Pivot Table similar to the one below and then used the custom date filter to filter by the correct period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example Pivot Table<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I could group the data, but once again, it\u2019s less than elegant. It would also be possible to create an Activex control or some VBA to make this more flexible but it\u2019s becoming increasingly complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using the Timeline feature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To use this just create your Pivot Table as normal. It is not necessary to include the date field, as you will use the Timeline filter on in the Pivot Table:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the insert ribbon you will find the Timeline tool:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Timeline tool<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you use the tool it will identify any fields that the Timeline filter can filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Timeline filter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pick your field, and your timeline is ready for use!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Timeline ready for use<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You can change the periods it filters \u2013 choose between Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly and Daily view using the dropdown menu on the top right corner of the dialogue. You can also change the period filtered \u2013 just highlight the appropriate period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very simple, very nice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget<\/strong>, all of our IT training courses include two years of free access to our IT Helpline. The IT Helpline is staffed by our IT trainers, with support available by phone and email. You can\u00a0contact our team<\/a>\u00a0as many times as you like about the material covered on your course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related Blogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n