TimelineJS provides fairly straightforward instructions for setting up the project, with additional simple instructions in the spreadsheet. However, some unconventional uses are accounted for in the instructions. Take a look at the information below to understand how to implement these nontraditional uses.
The "Groups" column of the spreadsheet gives these instructions, "(Optional) Groups are a way to show events that are related to one another." Not much other information is given about groups. Here are some tips on using Groups.
The "Display Date" column can be used in two different ways:
Here's how this could work:
Include the year/month/day date in the red columns for the item you are putting on the timeline, for example, May 15, 1950, and include the display date as the same. We'll consider this slide 1. Then, for anything else that relates to it, include the red column year/month/day information as May 16th, 17th, 18th, 1950, but have the display date as the same title as slide 1. Slide 1 would show the date you actually wish to convey, but the slides after it would still show up right behind it. They wouldn't have incorrect dates, but they would show up as non-dated content near other content you'd like it to show up near.
In order to use a photo, you will first need to host it. However, even though the Timeline itself uses Google, you cannot host the photo in your Google Drive, even if you make it public. One easy way is to make a Flickr account and host your photos there. You will need a link that ends in .jpg, To get this, once you upload your photo to Flickr, open your photo in a new tab, so that the photo is the only thing you see in that tab. The URL should show a link that ends with .jpg, which is the link you can copy and paste into your Timeline spreadsheet.
Check out our Area 49 Resources Guide, which includes information about programs to create nontraditional projects, as well as many examples!