---
title: Power BI Custom Visuals - Timeline
description: Learn how to use the Timeline Power BI Custom Visual. which is a great tool for filtering date values on a report.
---

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# [Power BI Custom Visuals - Timeline](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/power-bi-custom-visuals-timeline)

 Written by [Devin Knight](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/author/devin-knight) | Nov 22, 2016

In this module, you will learn how to use the Timeline Power BI Custom Visual.  The Timeline is a great tool for filtering date values on a report.

### Module 26 – Timeline

### Downloads

- Power BI Custom Visual – [Timeline](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/Ejn3BZIKy-NHk0DHsQUqT5QBx8WaO5HCyu0Qo7pWOzaWmw?e=50uysN)
- Dataset – [Gold Prices.xlsx](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/EieWrr7KKGlBnT0WcCCMT0oBKtW5-Qu5RAJdHtBEZmDZYQ?e=ym4lms)
- Completed Example – [Module 26 – Timeline.pbix](https://pragmaticworksonline.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/FileShare/EieWrr7KKGlBnT0WcCCMT0oBKtW5-Qu5RAJdHtBEZmDZYQ?e=ym4lms)

### Key Takeaways

- The Timeline is similar to the native slicer in Power BI, but has several more customizations available.
- Not surprising, this visual can only accept date values.
- If you need to adjust the start date of the Timeline based on your Fiscal Calendar, that is possible in the format settings.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image7.png>

*This Timeline provides a filter for gold prices at the month level.*

- Under the **Format** paintbrush, there are options available for customizing the Timeline.
- Under the **Fiscal Year Start **section, you will find how to adjust what is considered the first day of the year by setting the **Month** and **Day** properties to the beginning of your Fiscal Calendar.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image8.png>

- Next, you will find the **First Day of the Week** section which allows you to modify which day of the week is considered the first day.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image9.png>

- Making changes to the **Range Header** section will modify how the user sees which date range is selected.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image10.png>

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image11.png>

*This shows what happens on the Timeline when the settings are modified as they appear above.*

- Changing the properties in the **Cell** section will change the appearance of the Timeline cells that are selected or unselected.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image12.png>

- Changing the **Granularity** section will adjust the slider that appears in the top left corner of the visual. Here you can modify the color and the level that is currently displayed.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image13.png>

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image14.png>

*Using the settings above will result in the Granularity Slider appearing like this.*

- Under the **Labels** section you can adjust the appearance of any labels on the Timeline. This includes the label color and text size.

<https://devinknightsql.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/image15.png>

- In addition to these properties, you have a set of settings that appears on every visual to adjust the background color, add a border around the visual and lock the aspect ratio.

### Find Out More

You will always be able to find this video module and advanced viewing of future modules on the Pragmatic Works On-Demand Training platform or [view my previous blog posts](https://blog.pragmaticworks.com/topic/power-bi-custom-visuals).

[View full post](https://pragmaticworks.com/blog/power-bi-custom-visuals-timeline)

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