Set the interval between units on the scale

Overview

Office Timeline’s Unit interval option allows you to control how often time units are displayed on the timescale, so you can show more granular detail or a cleaner view depending on your needs. Here’s how it works:

Steps

1. From your timeline slide, select the timescale and click on Timescale Settings in the Style Pane.
2. In the Timescale Settings window, you’ll notice the Unit interval option available on each of your scale tiers. By default, the option is set to Auto, which automatically displays as many units as can fit on the timescale.
   
   ^{Note: For simplicity, we’ll keep a single scale visible going forward for the purpose of this guide.}
3. To set a custom interval, use the dropdown list or type in a number between 1 and 1000. The higher the interval, the fewer units you’ll see on the scale. For example, if the unit is Days and you enter 2, you’ll see every 2 days on the timescale. If you enter 4, you’ll see every 4 days.
   
   
4. To get back to Auto mode, you can either select it from the dropdown list, or simply type “Auto” inside the unit interval box.
   
   
   

FAQs

What happens if I enter a very high or a very low number?

What interval is too high or too low is mainly determined by your project’s span and the units used. Office Timeline will show the highest or lowest interval that fits your project and selected units. For example, let’s say your units are set to Days:

• If the project spans a year and you set the interval to 1, fitting every single day on the scale would be impossible. Instead, Office Timeline will use the smallest interval that can fit, allowing as many days as possible to be shown.
  
• If the project spans 25 days and you set the interval to 30, only one day will be displayed on the scale, as the interval is significantly larger than the project duration.
  

Why aren’t all units visible after I change the interval to 1?

When you set the interval to 1, Office Timeline attempts to display every unit based on your project’s span and the chosen units. However, if the project duration is extensive (such as several years), there may not be enough space on the timescale to show every single unit. In this case, Office Timeline will automatically adjust the display to show the lowest possible interval that fits the scale, ensuring a clear and manageable view without overcrowding.

How can I minimize skipped units or show smaller intervals on the scale for extensive projects?

If Office Timeline can’t display your chosen interval because it won’t fit within the scale, you can:

1. Switch to larger units (e.g. from Weeks to Months) to better fit your project’s span.
   
2. If you need to keep the current units, try experimenting with shorter type formats, as these can help fit more units on the scale and minimize skipping.
   

If you have any other questions or need help, contact us at support@officetimeline.com – we’ll be happy to help!