The timeline control shows entries (such as objects, events, or posts) in chronological order.

A common use case is to provide information about changes to an object, or events related to an object. These entries can be generated by the system (for example, value XY changed from A to B), or added manually. The latest entry is always on top.

There are two distinct variants of the timeline: basic and social. The basic timeline is read-only, while the social timeline offers a high level of interaction and collaboration, and is integrated within SAP Jam.

Usage

Use the basic timeline if:

• You want to display read-only content, such as an object history.
• You do not require social interaction (for example, replies).
• Your customers do not use SAP Jam.
• You only expect a long list of posts triggered by the system.

Do not use the timeline if:

• You expect only a few entries. In this case, you should use a feed by combining the two controls “FeedInput” and “FeedListItem”.
• You want to provide a way to upload files. Use the upload collection instead. You can still use the timeline to show automated updates about the user’s uploads.

Use the social timeline if:

• You want users to be able to create their own posts.
• You need social interaction, such as replies.
• You expect a long list of posts triggered by users or the system.

Responsiveness

The responsive behavior of the timeline control is currently limited. While it works well on small screens or in narrow containers, we have not yet implemented versions for larger views.

Layout

The timeline control consists of:

• A header (optional)
• A chronological axis
• Posts/entries

 

The following features can be used optionally:

• Filter
• Group
• Add entries

 

Header

The title describes the content displayed along the timeline axis.

 

Axis

Along the axis, the entries are arranged chronologically. The distance does not correspond to the time between each occurrence.

You can use a vertical or horizontal axis. The timeline can be scrolled along its axis.

By default, the latest entries appear on top. Replies are sorted the other way round.

 

Post (Entry /Feed Update)

Posts can be generated by the system (for example, “Object ABC changed by Mr. X”), or entered manually. The entry includes information about who changed what, and when. Typically, posts in the timeline consist of four sections:

1. A node
   Using icons on a node is optional. Use icons for either ALL or NONE of the posts.

2. A header section, which can contain:

• An image or an icon
• Text(s) and/or link(s)
• A time stamp (use SAP Fiori formatting)

3. An (expandable) content section, which can contain:

• Text(s) and/or link(s)
• Structured or unstructured information
• Images

4. An optional social section, which can contain some or all of the social features offered by SAP Jam (such as Reply, Like, Bookmark, or Share)

Note: If a section is not used, it should not take up any space within the bubble.

Examples for different visualizations:

Examples for different visualizations:

Posts can originate from three sources:

• Manual post: A person actively posts to the timeline (or to another place that supplies updates to the timeline).

Example:
Julie Armstrong: Hey @John Miller. Can you give me an update?

• Post triggered by user action: The post is triggered by something a person does (such as creating a poll in SAP Jam, adding a document to a group, or uploading an attachment).

Examples:

Julie Armstrong created a poll.
(Followed by a preview of the poll)

John Miller posted the document Sales-Revenue_Q4.xls
(Followed by a preview of the document, if available)

Donna Moore wrote a blog post
(Followed by a preview of the blog post)

Julie Armstrong added the picture our_team.jpg
(Followed by a preview of the image)

• Post triggered by a technical source: Posts can also originate from a purely technical source (for example, if a threshold has been exceeded, or a deadline has been reached).

Examples:

Boiler BB-258/80 has exceeded its maximum temperature.

Server DS209 is running out of space.

Order #052690 is overdue.

Types

Two types of timeline are available:

• The basic timeline is read-only without social content.
• The social timeline allows social user interaction.

Basic Timeline

(Available for all apps without SAP Jam integration)

The basic timeline is read-only. There are no user posts, replies, likes, shares, social profile, or other social features. Only system-triggered posts appear on the timeline. User actions within the app (such as creating notes and attachments, or making calls) are reflected in the timeline automatically.

The image below shows a post in the basic timeline. The image on the right shows an example of a basic timeline.

Social Timeline

(Available for apps with SAP Jam integration)

With SAP Jam, all social features are enabled. Users can post updates, reply, like, and share. Both user-triggered and system-triggered posts appear on the timeline.

The image below shows a post in the social timeline. The image on the right shows an example of a social timeline.

Behavior and Interaction

Adding a Post

In the social timeline, users can add new posts by clicking the plus ( ) icon on top of the control.

Clicking the plus ( ) icon opens a popover with the focus set inside the text area so the user can immediately start typing.

Post sends the user’s text, which then appears in the timeline. However, the button stays inactive until the user has typed something to prevent empty posts.

Search

Always offer a search with the timeline because it may contain a vast number of entries. A search helps users to find what they are looking for without having to scroll through all the posts and updates.

Initially, the search field is closed and only visualized with a search icon.

To use the search, the user clicks or taps the icon.

This opens the search field, with the focus in the field, so the user can start to type immediately.

Filter (Optional)

For timelines with several entry types, it makes sense to enable filtering. You can let users filter the timeline by entry type and by other useful attributes (such as bookmarked for bookmarked items).

To set the filter, the user clicks or taps the Filter icon in the toolbar.

Depending on the complexity of the timeline, you can offer different kinds of filter dialog:

• Single selection

• Multi-selection

• Multi-faceted filter
  To implement this combination of feed source and filter, use the view settings dialog.

If a filter is set, inform the user in the info toolbar.

Styles

There are various layout options. When you choose the layout, consider the type of content and the screen real estate available for displaying the control.

 

Orientation

• Vertical
  Use the vertical timeline for narrow containers or on smartphones (in portrait mode).

Colors

You can use colors to highlight entries in the timeline and indicate semantic meanings (for example, to indicate the status or urgency of an entry).

Guidelines

• In narrow containers, use the vertical orientation.
• In wide containers with little height, such as on the object page, use the horizontal orientation.
• Only use the speech bubble icon for posts entered manually by users:  
  CSS name: icon-post
  HTML Unicode: & # xe 0 a b ; (remove the spaces)
• Do not use colors for decoration. Colors are to be used for semantic meaning only (such as for warnings or errors).

Resources

Want to dive deeper? Follow the links below to find out more about related controls, the SAPUI5 implementation, and the visual design.