Permissions: Any Data Central user may create, save, and edit visualizations privately for personal use. Saving a visualization as public or editing an existing public visualization requires the Data Central Designer privilege.

A Timeline chart displays events sequentially along a time axis, typically the X-axis, with events represented on the Y-axis. This format helps users track events, durations, and patterns over a specific time period. Timeline charts are useful for visualizing patient visits, treatment phases, adverse events, and other time-dependent data to identify overlaps, delays, and correlations.

Create a Timeline Chart

1. From Visualizations in the left navigation, click the New Visualization (+) icon.

   

2. Click Timeline to open the Timeline Designer window.

3. In the Fields section, click the arrows, Data Store names, or Domain names to expand the data. Use the Search feature or scroll down to view all available domains and fields.

   

Tip: Search also supports dot notation, e.g. DataStore.Domain.Field. After entering text, an X icon displays in the Search field. Click the icon to clear the search and reset the field list to its unfiltered state.

Note: System Tables contain operational data that can be used in visualizations. While non-eCS users cannot create visualizations on these tables themselves, they can request that visualizations be built on their behalf through their eClinical Solutions Project Manager, Customer Success Manager, Implementation Consultant, or Tech Services representative. Once created, any user with access to the visualization can view and use it. Tables available for request include: Issue - Tracks issues raised during data review.
Protocol Deviation - Stores protocol deviation records with details.
Protocol Deviation Comments - Stores comments on protocol deviations.
Query - Stores queries to sites.
Review Cycle Status - Tracks review cycle progress.
Review Objectives - Defines goals for data review processes.
Review Objectives Domains and Fields - Links objectives to specific domains and fields.
Review Objectives Review Materials - Associates roles responsible for review tasks.
Review Objectives Reviewer Roles - Assigns roles responsible for review tasks and risks.
Review Objectives Risks - Identifies risks linked to review objectives.
Review Status Metrics by Domain and Role - Measures review progress by domain and role.
Review Status Metrics by Domain and Role and Subject - Tracks review completion per subject, domain, and role.
Subject - Contains subject identifiers and demographics.

Define Measures

In a Timeline chart, a measure uses an event field with corresponding start and optional end date fields from the same domain. A measure can display an event over a time span or at a single point in time. The Y-axis displays the subject identifier and the value of the event field used for the measure, while the X-axis represents time.

1. Drag an appropriate event field into the Measures section. A configuration popout opens. Click the 3-dot icon next to an existing measure to reopen the popout.

   

2. Select the measure type:

   • Timeline is selected by default and displays an event over a time span.
   • Single Timepoint displays an event at a single date.

   

3. Configure the date fields based on the selected measure type:

   • For Timeline, select the start date and end date fields for the event.
   • For Single Timepoint, select the date field for the event.
     The event and date fields must belong to the same domain.
4. When Timeline is selected, choose a Bar Width: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, or Full Lane.
5. Click the Color drop-down arrow to open a popout and customize the color.
6. Select a Symbol: Circle (default), Square, Triangle Down, Triangle Up, Polygon, or Cross. This setting is optional.
7. Update the Label if needed. The label is generated automatically and displays at the bottom of the chart below the X-axis.
8. Click OK. The chart preview updates.
    
   The visualization displays a Timeline or Single Timepoint. The Y-axis displays the Subject ID and value of the selected event field, while the X-axis represents time. A Timeline event displays as a bar extending from the start date to the end date, with a symbol at each end. A Single Timepoint event displays as a symbol at the selected date.
9. To add another measure, drag an appropriate event field into the Measures section and configure the measure using the options above.

10. Click OK. The chart preview updates.

    
    Multiple measures display along the Y-axis, with time displayed along the X-axis.

Important: When more than 4096 records are available, a warning message displays and only the first 4096 records appear in the chart.

Apply Filters to Measures

A filter can be applied to a measure using fields that belong to the same domain. Only one filter condition can be applied to a measure.

1. Click the Filter icon next to the measure to open the popout.
2. Use the default setting, Include Selections, or change to Exclude Selections.
3. Click Filter Field to open the list and select the field to filter by.
4. Click Operator to open the list and select =, <, >, Null or Empty, or Between.
5. Click Filter Value(s) to open the list and select one or more values to filter by.
    
6. Click OK. The chart opens filtered by the selected values, and the filter icon becomes shaded.

Tip: Click in the whitespace to close the popout if the OK button is not visible.

Note: To filter out Null values for a measure or the entire Timeline chart, select Exclude Selections and choose the field to filter. Select the Null or Empty operator and click OK.

The Dynamic Filter option is not available for the Null or Empty operator.

Apply Dynamic Filters

Dynamic Filters let users select predefined values from a popout menu at the top of the published chart. Users can select one or more values from the popout menu to immediately update the chart with the selected filter values.

Measure-level and chart-level filters can be configured as dynamic.

1. Turn on Dynamic Filters by clicking the toggle switch.
   

2. Click Optional Default Filter Value(s) and select the default values for the published chart. The list displays values defined in the original filter before it is converted to a dynamic filter. When the chart opens, it is filtered using the selected defaults.

   If Select All is checked, the chart opens unfiltered, allowing viewers to choose values in the dynamic filter. The chart updates as selections change.

   

   If no default values are configured, the chart opens filtered by the first value in the list.

3. The Label field displays the default field name. Enter a user-friendly label if needed. To restore the original value, click the Revert icon.
   
4. Click OK.

Tip: To collapse or expand each section (Measures, Filters), click the down and up arrows. Click the box icon to view only one section and collapse the other section.

Apply Chart Filters

Filters applied in this section affect the entire visualization and are not limited to a single domain like filters applied to measures.

1. From the Fields section, select a field to filter the entire chart and drag it into the Filters section. A popout opens.
2. Use the default setting, Include Selections, or change to Exclude Selections.
3. Click Operator to open the list and select =, <, >, Null or Empty, or Between.

4. Click Filter Value(s) to open the list and select the values to filter by.

   

5. Click OK. The chart opens filtered by the selected values. Up to 25 filters may be added.
6. To apply Dynamic Filters to the chart, refer to the Apply Dynamic Filters section.

Note: Each Dynamic Filter, whether defined at the measure level or chart level, appears as a popout menu at the top of the published chart. Users can select one or more values, and hovering over a filter displays a tooltip with the current selections.

Reorder and Remove Fields

Fields can be reordered or removed from any section in the designer window.

• Reorder Fields: Click and hold the 6-dot icon next to a field and drag it above or below another field.
• Remove Fields: Click the X icon at the right of a field to remove it.

Add a Chart Description

Enter a Chart Description in the text field above the chart preview. The description appears at the top of the published chart.

Export and Import Timeline Chart Configuration

After creating or editing a chart, the chart configuration can be exported directly from the designer. This allows users to replicate charts across different environments without recreating them manually.

Export a Timeline Chart Configuration

Click the Export icon in the upper right corner of the designer window to download the configuration file.

Import a Timeline Chart Configuration

When importing a chart configuration, the created chart must match the exported chart type to ensure compatibility.

1. Click the New Visualization (+) icon and select Timeline. 
2. After the designer window opens, click the Import icon in the upper right corner. 
3. In the popout, upload the configuration file.

Note: Users with the Data Central privilege can export and import their own chart configurations. Users with the Data Central Designer privilege can also export and import chart configurations created by other users.

Toolbar Icons and Actions

Each chart includes a toolbar in the top right corner of the chart designer and published chart. Available icons vary by chart type and whether the chart is open in the designer or published. The following icons are available for a Timeline chart. 

Icon	Icon Name	Description
	Edit*	Click to open the designer window.
	Add Filter*	Click to open a popout and apply a Runtime Visualization Filter to the visualization. The filter displays in the Local section of the Filter Panel. When a filter is active, the icon is shaded blue and changes to Edit Filter.
	3-dot*	Click to open a popout menu with additional visualization options.
	Tooltips	Click to activate or deactivate tooltips that display when hovering over the chart.
	Rotate Chart	Click to rotate the chart by switching the X-axis and Y-axis.
	Legend	Click to show or hide the legend. The legend displays by default.
	Range Selector	Available when the chart contains more than 50 X-axis values. Click to display the range selector at the bottom of the chart.
	Zoom Out	Click to zoom out and view the entire chart without scrolling.
	Drag to Zoom	Click to activate, then click and drag over an area of the chart to zoom in.
	Chart Notes	Click to view Chart Notes added in Advanced Chart Settings.
	Export	Click to access a popout menu to print or export to PDF, PNG, or JPG.
	Advanced**	Click to open Advanced Chart Settings on the left side of the designer.
	Dock Item*	Click to dock the visualization to the sheet.
	Maximize*	Click to maximize the visualization.
	Restore*	Click to restore the visualization to its previous size.
	Close*	Click to close the visualization.

* Available in published chart only 
** Available in designer only

Note: A blue icon indicates that the option is active. A gray icon indicates that the option is inactive.

Advanced Chart Settings

Advanced Chart Settings provide additional options for configuring measures, axes, the legend, zoom behavior, reference lines, highlight strips, and chart notes. 

1. To open the Advanced Chart Settings window:
   • Click the Advanced button in the bottom right corner of the chart designer window.
   • Click the Advanced icon in the chart designer toolbar.
   • The Advanced Chart Settings window opens on the left and displays the current settings.
2. Show Records For: Select which subjects display in the chart.
   • First Measure: Selected by default. Only subjects that meet the first measure's criteria and have data for the first measure display in the chart. Data for subsequent measures displays only when the associated subject also has matching data for the first measure.
   • All Measures: Subjects that meet the criteria and have data for any measure display in the chart.
   • Matching Measures: Only subjects that meet the criteria and have data for all measures display in the chart.
3. Group By: Specify how records are consolidated and displayed in the Timeline chart.
   • None: Displays one row per record. A subject may have multiple rows when multiple records exist.
   • Measure: Groups records by subject and measure field. Records with the same measure value are combined into one row per subject.
   • Subject: Groups all records for each subject into a single row.
4. Measure Axis Label Visibility:
   • Show
   • Hide
5. Zoom Type: This setting determines how Drag to Zoom functions.
   • Box
   • X-Axis
   • Y-Axis
6. Legend Position:
   • Outside
   • Inside
7. Legend Horizontal Alignment:
   • Center
   • Right
8. Legend Vertical Alignment:
   • Bottom
   • Top
9. Vertical Reference Line:
   • Upper Limit

   • Lower Limit

     • Click the + icon to add an additional reference line.
     • Click the X icon to remove a reference line.
     • Click the back arrow to reset the reference line.
     • Click the 3-dot icon to configure the label, line color, line width, line style, and Highlight Outlying Data option. Click OK.
10. Vertical Highlight Strip:
    • Start Value

    • End Value

      • Click the + icon to add an additional strip.
      • Click the X icon to remove a strip.
      • Click the back arrow to reset the strip.
      • Click the 3-dot icon to configure the highlight color, font color, and label. Click OK.
11. Chart Notes:
    • Add text to describe the chart. After a note is added, the Chart Notes icon displays in the toolbar.

12. To close the Advanced Chart Settings window:

    • Click the X icon in the top right corner.
    • Click the Advanced button in the bottom right corner of the page.
    • Click the Advanced icon in the toolbar.
13. Click Save to save the changes or Cancel to discard them.

Tip: In the example below, a green Vertical Reference Line and lavender Vertical Highlight Strip emphasize data before a specific date in the timeline.

Save and Save As

When creating a visualization, only the Save button displays in the bottom right corner. After the visualization is saved, both Save and Save As display.

When a saved visualization opens in the Chart Designer, the header displays the title followed by Preview. A blue badge to the right of the title shows the number of segments currently displayed in the visualization.

The Save Chart window opens when Save is clicked for the first time or when Save As is clicked.

Tip: Click Save As to duplicate an existing chart with a different name or save a new version with different settings. Click Save to update the existing chart.

When the Save Chart window opens, enter or edit the save options.

1. Enter the Name of the chart (maximum 100 characters).

2. Select the folder where the chart is to be saved.

   Note: Users with the Data Central Designer privilege can also add a new folder by hovering over an existing folder and clicking the add folder icon. To edit or delete existing folders, click the Actions icon in the master header and select Manage Objects.

3. Select the Public or Private radio button. Users with the Data Central privilege only see Private as an option. Public is also available to users with the Data Central Designer privilege.
4. Select the Roles. This option is available when saving a public visualization and is grayed out for a private visualization. Users with the selected roles can access the visualization.
5. Update the Scope. By default, the current study is selected. Use the drop-down lists for Therapeutic Areas, Compounds, Programs, or Studies to update the scope as needed.
6. Click Save to confirm the save settings or Cancel to discard the changes.

Edit a Timeline Chart

A Timeline chart can be edited to update its data, description, and advanced settings. Chart settings in the Save Chart window can also be updated, including the name, folder, visibility, roles, and scope.

Note: The Data Central Designer privilege is required to change a private chart to public.

Edit Content

1. Hover over the visualization to edit.

2. Click the Edit icon. The Timeline Designer window opens.
   

   Note: Users may also click the Edit icon in the published chart's toolbar to open the designer.

3. Edit fields in the Measures or Filters sections as needed.
4. Edit the Description as needed.
5. Update Advanced Chart Settings as needed.
6. Click Save to update the existing chart or Save As to save it as a new chart.

Edit Settings

1. Hover over the visualization to edit the settings.
2. Click the Configure icon to open the Save Chart window.
   
3. Update the settings as needed.
4. Click Save to confirm the changes or Cancel to discard them.

Delete a Visualization

Saved Visualizations, Workspaces, Filter Sets, and Advanced Filters are deleted from Manage Objects, available from the Actions icon in the master header. The Data Central Designer privilege is required to delete public items. All Data Central users can delete their own private items.

1. Click the Actions icon in the master header, then select Manage Objects. The Manage window opens.

2. Hover over the name of the item to delete.

   Tip: Hover over the icon to the left of the item name to view a tooltip that identifies the item type, such as Saved Workspace, Advanced Filter, or a visualization type.

3. Click the Delete icon.
   
4. In the Delete Item confirmation window, click Delete to delete the item or Cancel to cancel the action.