TimelineJS

Timeline JS is a Knight Lab open-source tool that enables you to build visually rich interactive timelines by using a Google Spreadsheet and an embed code generator. This technology, with its potential to combine text, images, and interactive elements, should be seen as a vehicle for telling stories rather than simply illustrating information, a way to show temporal processes while making a powerful point.

Useful for…

Pros

• requires no HTML knowledge
• can be easily updated and edited
• can be used for collaborative projects
• easily embeds into Blogs@Baruch/WordPress/Brightspace with a plugin
• quickly creates a visually appealing timeline that is also video-friendly

Cons

• requires the use of Google Sheets (which is free but not open-source), and the Sheets interface is not visually intuitive
• images need to be pulled from an online source, so images that not already online need to be hosted somewhere
• must be hosted somewhere (like WordPress) to be viewable beyond a preview

Learning Curve

It’s not too elaborate, but it is a generally unfamiliar interface and may take some practice to learn its features.

Operating System

Any

Accessibility

Includes mandatory alternative text for images in Timeline projects

Cost

Free to all