The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The practical way to add an event timeline in WordPress is to install a timeline plugin, create your dated entries, and place the plugin’s Gutenberg block or shortcode on the page where the timeline should appear. Your choice depends on whether you prefer editing directly in Gutenberg or managing events in a plugin screen.
Choose how you want to build the timeline
Gutenberg block workflow
Timeline Block by bPlugins is designed for the WordPress Block Editor. Its listing describes vertical and horizontal timeline layouts and an Event Schedule block for agendas, sessions, and event schedules.
Plugin form and shortcode workflow
Event Timeline Feed manages timelines and event records in its own interface. Its documented event fields include a title, description, event link, icon, date, and time. You display the finished timeline with a shortcode.
Check requirements before installing
Plugin-directory values change, so compare the live listing with your site’s WordPress and PHP versions before installation. The following figures were shown in the WordPress.org listings in 2026:
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| Plugin | Listing version | Minimum WordPress | Minimum PHP | Tested through | Active installations shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event Timeline Feed | 1.3.6 | 5.3 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 100+ |
| Timeline Block by bPlugins | 1.5.5 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 3,000+ |
These are publisher-maintained directory figures observed in 2026, not guarantees of future compatibility or evidence that one plugin is better for every site. The bPlugins changelog also showed a July 9, 2026 entry for version 1.5.3 adding WordPress 7.0 support, alongside earlier security and stability updates.
Install and activate a timeline plugin
Install from the WordPress admin
- Sign in to WordPress and open Plugins → Add New.
- Search for Event Timeline Feed or Timeline Block by bPlugins.
- Check the publisher, requirements, release information, and feature description against your site.
- Select Install Now, then select Activate.
Upload a ZIP file
If you received a plugin ZIP from its publisher, go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the ZIP, select Install Now, and activate it. Event Timeline Feed documents this as an alternative to searching the directory.
Create the timeline and its events
With Event Timeline Feed
- After activation, open the plugin’s Timeline Feed menu.
- Create a timeline and add an event record for each milestone, date, or scheduled session.
- Fill in the fields the plugin provides: title, description, date, time, event link, and icon where appropriate.
- Save the timeline and note its numeric ID.
With Timeline Block by bPlugins
- Open Timeline → Add New, as described in the plugin’s quick-start instructions.
- Configure the timeline and add the events or schedule items you want to show.
- Choose the available presentation options, such as a vertical or horizontal layout, where your installed version provides them.
- Save the timeline and copy the generated shortcode if you are using shortcode output.
Embed the timeline on a page
Insert a Gutenberg block
Edit the target page or post, select the + block inserter, search for the timeline or Event Schedule block supplied by the plugin, and insert it. Select the timeline in the block settings, then save or publish the page.
Insert a shortcode
For Event Timeline Feed, place this shortcode in a Shortcode block, post, page, or other supported widget area:
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[timeline_feed id=ID]
Replace ID with the ID of the timeline you created. For bPlugins Timeline, paste the generated shortcode supplied by the plugin rather than guessing an ID or shortcode name.
Decide which option fits your site
| Need | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Edit inside Gutenberg | Timeline Block by bPlugins | The listing describes a native Block Editor workflow and an Event Schedule block. |
| Store detailed event records | Event Timeline Feed | Its documented fields include dates, times, descriptions, links, and icons. |
| Show an agenda or sessions | Timeline Block by bPlugins | The Event Schedule block is described for agendas, sessions, and event schedules. |
| Use shortcode output | Either, depending on the installed version | Event Timeline Feed documents a shortcode; bPlugins describes a generated shortcode as well as a block workflow. |
| Need a specific layout or multiple timelines | Compare the current listings | Available layouts, customization controls, and multiple-timeline support vary by plugin and by free or Pro feature set. |
Free features versus Pro features
A basic timeline does not require a paid upgrade. The bPlugins listing describes the plugin as free while also presenting additional designs or capabilities as Pro features. Cool Plugins’ listing places horizontal layout and multiple timelines among its Pro features. Check the current feature matrix before assuming a particular layout or number of timelines is included in the free version.
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Publish safely and troubleshoot
The block or shortcode is missing
- Confirm the plugin is activated, not merely installed.
- Use the plugin’s exact block name or generated shortcode.
- For Event Timeline Feed, verify that the ID in
[timeline_feed id=ID]matches an existing timeline.
The timeline is empty or events are out of order
- Check that every event has a date and, where required, a time.
- Confirm you edited the same timeline whose block or shortcode appears on the page.
- Review the plugin’s ordering and layout settings before publishing.
The page layout looks wrong
- Preview the page on desktop and mobile.
- Try the other available orientation if your plugin supports vertical and horizontal layouts.
- Check theme or page-builder styling that may affect spacing, icons, or links.
Installation fails or WordPress reports incompatibility
- Compare your WordPress and PHP versions with the current plugin listing.
- Update WordPress, PHP, or the plugin only after confirming your theme and other plugins support the change.
- Test changes on a staging site or keep a backup before changing production software.
Final pre-publish checklist
- Each event has the correct title, date, and time.
- Descriptions and links work, and icons are used consistently.
- The block or shortcode is on the intended page.
- The timeline is readable on a phone as well as a desktop screen.
- The plugin’s current requirements and release status match your hosting environment.
- You have not assumed a Pro-only feature is included in the free plugin.
The Bottom Line
For most WordPress sites, start by choosing between a Gutenberg timeline block and a plugin-managed shortcode, then follow the sequence: install, activate, create events, embed, and test. Verify the plugin’s live WordPress.org requirements before committing to it.
Quick Recap
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