How to use timeline view in Notion

Learn how to add, customize, and manage Notion's Timeline view to visualize project schedules, track dependencies, and hit deadlines.

Quick answer

To use timeline view in Notion, open or create a database, click the + next to your existing views, select Timeline, and choose a date property to plot entries. Drag items to reschedule them, drag an edge to adjust duration, group by any property, and add dependencies to show how project phases connect.

Steps at a glance

  1. Create a new page or open an existing database
  2. Click the + icon to add a Timeline view
  3. Select a date property to plot entries chronologically
  4. Drag timeline cards to reschedule dates instantly
  5. Drag card edges to change item duration
  6. Group or filter entries by status, owner, or priority
  7. Share the page or invite members to collaborate

Interactive demo

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Summary

Timeline view in Notion displays database entries along a horizontal calendar, letting you plan projects, sprints, or launches by date. It's built directly into Notion's database system, so any database with a date property can be viewed as a timeline instantly, without extra setup or paid plans.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Create or open a database for your timeline

    Timeline view works on top of any Notion database, so start by opening one you already have or building a new one. If you're starting fresh, you can create a database and add columns like status, owner, or start and end dates before switching views. Existing task lists, project trackers, or content calendars all work as a base for a timeline.

  2. Step 2

    Add a Timeline view

    Click the + icon next to your existing view tabs at the top of the database. From the view type menu, select "Timeline." Notion generates a horizontal chart plotting each database entry across a calendar, using whichever date property it finds first.

  3. Step 3

    Choose the date property Notion uses to plot entries

    Since timelines rely on dates, open the view's Settings (the sliders icon) and check Show timeline by — this could be a due date, start date, or a custom date field. If your database doesn't have one yet, add a date property from the property panel first. Entries without a date value won't appear on the timeline until you set one.

  4. Step 4

    Start from a template if you want a head start

    If you'd rather not build a timeline from scratch, click Library, Trash, more… at the bottom of the sidebar, choose Marketplace, and open the Templates tab. Pick a project or roadmap template that includes a Timeline view, then adjust its properties afterward. See add templates for how to pull one into your workspace.

  5. Step 5

    Customize layout, zoom, and grouping

    Use the zoom controls in the top-right corner of the timeline to switch between day, week, month, quarter, or year views depending on how granular your project is. Group entries by status, owner, or category from the view settings, and layer on filters or sorting the same way you would in any other view.

  6. Step 6

    Reschedule items and add dependencies

    Drag a timeline bar left or right to shift its dates, or drag either edge to shorten or extend its duration — changes save automatically to the underlying database. To show how tasks relate, turn on Dependencies under Settings > More settings and connect entries that rely on each other. The same menu has Sub-items, for nesting related work under a main entry.

  7. Step 7

    Share your timeline with your team

    Once your timeline reflects the current plan, click Share in the top-right corner of the page, invite teammates by email, and pick each person's access level. The link icon next to Share copies the page link.

Why this matters

You're juggling a product launch with dozens of overlapping tasks, and a simple list isn't showing you what's happening when. Switching to timeline view turns your database into a visual schedule, so you can spot conflicts, reassign dates by dragging, and keep every teammate aligned on deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need a paid Notion plan to use timeline view?

    No. Timeline view is available on Notion's free plan for any database, though workspaces on paid plans may have higher limits on total blocks and file uploads.

  • Can I add sub-items or dependencies to a timeline?

    Yes. You can nest sub-items under a main entry for more detailed project breakdowns, and add dependencies to visually connect tasks that rely on each other's completion dates.

  • Can timeline dates sync with a regular calendar app?

    Yes. Timeline view has a Manage in Calendar button above the chart for working with the database's dates in Notion Calendar.

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