To allow you to get the best from the Free Trial product in the shortest time we have compiled this short list showing the top 10 user tips which will allow you to create your timeline and give you an insight into our products.
The best advice we can give is to watch the intro Video and complete the Create your Life Timeline Tutorial.

Creating your first timeline
As you create a New timeline for the first time you will see the New Timeline Wizard.
Select the approximate time range for your timeline and use the ‘Fill in with example data’ link form the top right hand corner and continue through the wizard.
A simple 3 event timeline will be displayed – use this to test some of the features.

Adding new Events
To add New Event to the timeline use the ‘New Event’ button – the Edit Event box will be shown.
The new Event will have default data in the Name and Start fields - Edit these to your requirements.
Each event MUST have a Name and a Start date – add event text and images etc using the top tabs.

Fast scroll Years – Modern time units.
Display the Edit Event box - New Event or right click on an existing Event
Click on the down arrow at the right of the Start or End date box to display the calendar Date Picker.
Move the cursor over the Year / Month date in the blue band at the top of the date picker and click.
The date will change appearance and two small arrows will be displayed; up & down.
Use the up arrow to scroll the years up and down arrow to scroll the years down.
When clicking on the Month a drop down list will give month options.

Event positions
All new Events are positioned at a depository position away from the timeline axis.
All Events can be reposition along their ‘date line’ by dragging & dropping.
Position the cursor over the Event to be moved hold left mouse button down and move the Event.

Showing data
As new Events are added to the timeline they will be shown if they fall within the current time range being displayed.
To update the display to show all events use the ‘Show All’ button – this shows all Events.

Timeline axis position
The timeline axis can be positioned horizontally or vertically and with different styles.
Changing the axis position can be done from the Format menu on the toolbar

Changing fonts and colours
Our software uses the Groups feature to set the characteristics of Events.
To change the characteristics of an Event you must create a Group with the required characteristic and add the Event into that Group.
Groups are very useful when using our product and will save you time in the long run.

Using BC dates
To create a BC Event change the Start and End dates to minus numbers.
For example to create an Event at the time 10BC the year should be added as –10.
This will show as 10BC on the timeline.
If you need an Event to start at 500BC and run to 15BC enter -500 into Start box and -15 into End box.
For an Event which starts at 50BC and run to 100AD enter -50 into Start box and 100 into End box.

Creating multi-layered timeline
Your timeline trial has the potential to create multi-layered timelines using the ‘Views’ feature.
For simple timelines you can ignore the ‘Views’ and just use the Show All button.
If you have a more complicated topic, subdividing and creating mini timelines maybe useful.
Using the Views feature is not difficult, but will take a little understanding please read the section on Views from our Help website.

Import and export of data
Data can be Imported and Export to MS Office products and although once understood it works nicely, it can be tricky to set up as it does rely on a number of factors being correct.
Exporting to MS Word is simple; Events currently displayed will be exported into a word doc.
Importing from MS Excel is more complicated, to start with create a timeline and export it to Excel, then try to import this data from Excel back into the timeline application.
Remember that the timeline application has a number of different operating time ranges – you will need to align the time units the timeline application is working in to that of the Excel spreadsheet.

Getting related Help
Around the software you will notice the Help icon.

If you click on the Help icon you will be directed to the relevant page of our Help website (providing you are connected to the Internet and your security software allows the out going traffic).
This is very useful as it allow you to acquire on-demand help, as you need it without having to search through help files.