Timeline

What it is

The timeline lists activities (tasks, phone calls, emails, appointments), notes and posts regarding the current row, newest first by default. A box at the top lets you type a note quickly. The paperclip attaches a file, which works for notes only.

Icons in the toolbar create a timeline record, Filter, change the sort order and search. An open activity can be closed from the timeline, and every item has the quick actions of its own command bar.

When to use it

Use it as the history of a row: calls, emails, remarks and attachments in one place.

For structured related data that people need to sort and edit in columns, use a Subgrid. For one document per row, use a File column.

Licensing and configuration

Set up in the form designer: add the Timeline component, choose the record types shown, the Quick entry record type (notes or posts), the default sort order, and whether the filter pane is on (it is by default). Notes are enabled for pinning by default, and you can turn on Quick save so Ctrl+S saves a note. Posts need a Dynamics 365 app. The modern Timeline experience is off by default and is turned on under Upcoming in the app settings. Timeline highlights use Copilot and need the Enable Dynamics 365 apps environment setting.

Pitfalls

• Posts and some activity types are missing in environments without a Dynamics 365 app.
• Only rows whose Regarding points to the current row show up. A task created elsewhere without it is invisible here.
• Attachments count against file size limits and blocked extensions.
• Custom activity tables keep the default icon, even when they have their own.

Try it in the demo

1. Open the first help request and scroll to the Timeline.
2. Write a note and attach a small file.
3. Filter by record type, sort and search.
4. Close an open task with the Close activity button.