What is a Timeline in Microsoft Word? A timeline in Microsoft Word is a visual graphic created using the SmartArt feature to display events or milestones in chronological order. It helps illustrate project phases, progress, or historical sequences directly within a Word document. By selecting a timeline layout under Process SmartArt, you can design horizontal or vertical timelines and customize them with dates, descriptions, and colors for professional-looking visuals. While this method works well for simple timelines, it quickly becomes limiting when managing multiple events, maintaining alignment, or collaborating with others.