What is a timeline video maker?

A timeline video maker lets you create an MP4 clip where dates and milestones appear one by one along a horizontal or vertical axis. AECharts exports these so they can be used in presentations, pitch decks, and reports where a static slide would lose the audience.

What is a timeline video?

A timeline video is an MP4 clip where events animate sequentially, building the complete picture as it plays. Each milestone appears in order, telling the story of a project, company, or process. Timeline videos work in PowerPoint and Google Slides exactly like any video file.

Can I import data from Excel or Google Sheets?

Yes. Import from Excel or connect a Google Sheets URL. Format: one column for dates or labels, one for descriptions. AECharts builds the timeline video automatically.

What export formats are available?

Export as MP4 at 1080p or as a static image. The timeline video works in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, and reports.

Can I customize the colors and fonts?

Yes. Each milestone node is fully customizable. Set colors, fonts, icon types, and connector styles to match your brand.

What is a timeline video used for?

Timeline videos are best for showing sequence and progress. Common uses: company founding story in a pitch deck, project phases in a proposal, product roadmap for investors, historical events in a report, onboarding steps in a product tour.

What is the difference between a timeline video and a Gantt chart?

A timeline video shows events at points in time, while a Gantt chart shows task durations as overlapping bars. Timeline videos are better for storytelling and presentations. Gantt charts are better for project management where duration and overlap matter.

Can I use a timeline video in a pitch deck?

Yes. Company history timelines are a standard pitch deck element. A timeline video in PowerPoint or Google Slides is far more engaging than a static list of dates. Each milestone appears as you talk, keeping the audience focused on the current event.

Do I need design skills?

No. Templates are professionally designed. Import your dates and labels, adjust colors if needed, and export. Most users create their first timeline video in under a minute.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. All features are free with unlimited image exports. Video exports at 1080p require a Pro plan starting at $12/month billed annually. No credit card required to start.

Timeline Video Maker — Create Timeline Videos Free

Create timeline videos for pitch decks, reports, and presentations. Import your milestones, customize the design, and export as MP4 or image in seconds. Free to start.

Everything You Need to Create Timeline Videos

Easy Data Import

Import from Excel or connect Google Sheets. Dates and labels. AECharts builds the timeline video automatically.

Sequential Animation

Milestones appear one by one in order, building the story naturally. Control pacing to match your script.

Timeline Video Export

Export as MP4 at 1080p. Works in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, and reports.

Custom Milestone Nodes

Each event node is fully customizable. Set colors, icons, and label styles individually.

Horizontal and Vertical Layouts

Choose a horizontal layout for slide-format content or vertical for tall formats like social media and documents.

Real-time Preview

See every change instantly. What you see in the editor is exactly what exports.

When to Use a Timeline Video

Timeline videos work best when you want to tell a sequential story and let the audience follow each milestone as you present.

Company History in a Pitch Deck

Founding, first customer, funding rounds, product launches. A timeline video makes your journey compelling and easy to follow.

Product Roadmap

Q1 features, Q2 launch, Q3 expansion. Milestone-by-milestone animation lets you walk investors through the plan without a dense slide.

Project Phases

Discovery, design, build, launch. A timeline video turns a project brief into a clear visual that clients and teams can follow.

Onboarding Steps

Step 1: sign up. Step 2: connect data. Step 3: invite team. A sequential reveal communicates process without requiring a user to read.

Historical Events

Editorial content, educational materials, and annual reports use timelines to place data in context. Video makes history more engaging.

Fundraising Narrative

Traction milestones told sequentially. A timeline video in a pitch deck reinforces momentum and validates the ask.

Timeline Video vs Gantt Chart: Which Should You Use?

Both show time-based data, but they answer different questions.

Timeline Video

Best for: Storytelling, pitch decks, and presentations where sequence and narrative matter.

Strength: Clean, visual, and easy to follow. Each milestone appears in turn, giving the presenter control of pacing.

Use when: You want the audience to experience a journey, not analyze task overlap.

Gantt Chart

Best for: Project management, where task duration, dependencies, and resource overlap need to be visible.

Strength: Shows parallel tracks and overlapping phases in a single view.

Use when: You're planning work, not presenting history or roadmap narrative.

AECharts is built for presentation-quality chart videos. Use it when the timeline needs to move.

Other chart makers

Bar Chart Maker Line Chart Maker Pie Chart Maker Horizontal Bar Chart Maker Scatter Plot Maker Waterfall Chart Maker Sankey Chart Maker Funnel Chart Maker Gauge Chart Maker Waffle Chart Maker Radar Chart Maker Treemap Maker Heatmap Maker Pareto Chart Maker Mekko Chart Maker

How to Create a Timeline Video

Choose a template

Browse timeline video templates and pick one that matches your style.

Import your milestones

Import from Excel or connect a Google Sheets URL. One row per milestone with a date and label.

Customize colors and style

Set node colors, fonts, connector style, and background to match your brand.

Export as video or image

Export as a 1080p MP4 timeline video or static image.

Frequently Asked Questions About Timeline Videos

Create Your Timeline Video Today

Import your milestones, customize the design, and export a timeline video in under a minute. Free to start. No credit card required.