Embedded vs System Browser Log-In Methods in Office Timeline

Overview

This article explains how Office Timeline handles log-in across embedded and system-browser login methods. It covers the confirmation page shown after authentication, automatic fallback behavior, login settings, and what users may see during the login process.

A) Login Confirmation Page

When Office Timeline opens a system browser for log-in, a confirmation page appears after authentication is complete. This page indicates that login was successful and that you can return to PowerPoint.

What to do next:
Simply close or leave the browser tab and return to PowerPoint. The add-in will finish activation automatically.

B) Automatic Login Method Fallback

Office Timeline can log you in using either embedded login (inside PowerPoint) or your system browser. The application automatically selects the most reliable method.

How it works:

If no preference is saved, Office Timeline first tries embedded login.
If that method doesn’t work, it automatically switches to the system browser.
The method that succeeds becomes your default login method going forward.

If a login method is already saved:

Office Timeline will try the saved method first.
If it doesn't succeed, it automatically retries using the other method.

C) Waiting for Authentication Window

If you are logging in through a browser and haven’t yet completed authentication, PowerPoint may display a message indicating that Office Timeline is waiting for you to finish logging in.

If you see this message, check your browser window—there may be a page still waiting for you to enter your credentials or complete a security prompt.

D) Login Settings Locked While Logged In

Your login settings (embedded vs. system browser) can only be changed when you are logged out of Office Timeline.

When logged in, hovering over the setting will show:
“Editable only when logged out.”

To change your login method, log out from the Office Timeline Account menu, and the settings will become available.