Comparing History with Event Rows

Compare and contrast different historical themes or different versions of history.

Mac vs Windows Timeline

When to Use Event Rows

Often the goal of a timeline is to show context as well as cause and effect relationships. Sometimes, you may want to compare two different versions of the same event (for example, testimony of two witnesses). Sometimes you will want to compare two different types of events that take place during a similar span of history.

Event Rows allow for multiple labeled timelines to be displayed in parallel, which can be an excellent way to make these types of comparisons clear for your audience.

Adding an Event Row

To add a new event row, choose Add Row in the edit menu or press Command-R.

Add Events to a Row

To add new events to a row first click the background of a row or an event in a row, then add a new event. To move events between rows, use drag and drop in the Screen view or Print Preview modes.

Row Titles

To edit a row title, double click it.

Event Rows and Automatic Layout

Event rows are always the same height. Vertical space is often a limited resource in crowded timelines, and rows divide this space further. Therefore, event rows work best in timelines with evenly distributed and compact events.

Tips

  • Use event rows sparingly as they can make timelines more complex to interpret and compact layouts more challenging.

  • For best layout results, events should be evenly distributed between rows.