View source for Managing the Time Cursor for Version 7.2

==Introduction==

This article describes in detail the options available and the controls for the display and management of the '''time cursor line''', '''time cursor pointer''', and '''time cursor shading areas'''.  

Illustrations used in this article are from OnePager Pro using data from Microsoft Project but the features, function, controls, and manual '''edits''' apply equally to other OnePager editions that '''import''' from data sources like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project for the Web, Smartsheet, Oracle Primavera P6, Planisware Enterprise, Asana, and Wrike.

The '''Time cursor''' is a vertical line in the chart that indicates the '''date''' ('''and time''') that the chart was created (i.e., the snapshot dates).  You have control over the appearance of the '''time cursor line''' in the chart, in the '''time axis''', or both.  You also have the capability to control the formatting of the '''time cursor''', a '''new pointer''' feature, and a '''date''' as described in this article.

===Time Cursor ON/OFF Controls  ===

The '''time cursor''' can be turned '''ON''' or '''OFF''' in three (3) places: (1) globally in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Calendar''' sub-tab, (2) the '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Calendar''' sub-tab, (3) the OnePager '''Chart Editor’s''' ribbon tool bar '''View''' tab’s '''Graphic elements''' section.  These forms and the tool bar tab are shown below:

<center>'''Template Properties Form’s Time Axis Tab’s Calendar Sub-Tab'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(1A)-06262023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(1A)-06262023.png</center>-->

<center>'''Chart Properties Form’s Time Axis Tab’s Calendar Sub-Tab'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(1B-2)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(1B-2)-07032023.png</center>-->

<center>'''OnePager View Tool Bar Tab'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(1C-2)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(1C-2)-07032023.png</center>-->

===Time Cursor Line and Pointer Formatting Controls  ===

You have the option to configure the '''time cursor line''' to highlight it in the chart to meet the needs of any schedule conversation.  You have the options to:

:* Display the '''time cursor line''' in the '''chart''', in the '''time axis''', or in '''both''' the '''chart''' and the '''time axis'''
:* Manage the '''time cursor’s line color''', '''width''', and '''dash type'''
:* Configure a '''cursor pointer shape''' in the '''chart''' or above the '''time axis '''with management controls over the '''pointer’s shape''', '''color''', '''height''', and '''date properties'''
:* Configure a '''date''' with the '''time cursor's pointer shape'''
:* Configure '''shaded areas''' in the chart to the left and/or right of the '''time cursor line'''

==Overview==

As an illustrative example, you can configure the '''time cursor line''' in the chart, in the '''time axis''', and insert a '''pointer shape''' with the '''snapshot date''' that resembles the sample chart shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(1-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(1-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

In the illustration above, the '''time cursor line''' is configured as a '''dash-dot-dot line''' of '''width 3.0''' in''' red'''.  The '''time cursor line''' is extended from the '''graph area''' upward into the '''time axis area'''.  A '''pointer shape''' is added above the '''top''' '''time axis level''' configured as a '''down arrow shape''' with '''green color fill'''.  The '''pointer date label''' is also shown above the '''top''' '''time axis level''' positioned to the '''right''' of the '''down arrow shape'''.

Additionally, you have the capability to add '''shading''' to the left and right of the '''time cursor line''' whose '''width''' is measured from the '''left side of the time cursor line '''and '''the right side of the time cursor line''' as illustrated below where the '''sharing''' extends from the '''time cursor line''' to the '''left''' and '''right edges''' of the chart:
 
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(2-2)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(2-2)-07032023.png</center>-->

The illustration above shows '''time cursor shading''' from the '''left edge of the graph '''to the '''time cursor line''' in '''blue''' and '''time cursor shading''' from the '''right of the time cursor line''' to the '''right edge of the graph''' in '''yellow'''.  You also have the option to specify other '''left shading''' and '''right shading''' positions as shown in the example below where the '''shading''' is 30 day to the left and right of the '''time cursor line''':

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(2B-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(2B-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

==Time Cursor Controls==

As mentioned above, the controls for turning the '''time cursor ON''' and '''OFF''' are located in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Calendar''' sub-tab, the '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Calendar''' sub-tab, and the OnePager '''Chart Editor’s''' tool bar '''View''' tab’s '''Graphic elements''' section.  

The enhanced '''time cursor controls''' are found in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis '''tab and the '''Chart Properties '''form’s '''Time Axis''' tab in each form’s '''Calendar '''sub-tab within its '''Formatting & Layout''' control group as shown below for the '''Chart Properties''' form:

<center>[[File:P72-22_0_1-72-(2A-1)-072023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_0_1-72-(2A-1)-072023.png</center>-->

To '''enable '''the '''Time Cursor properties… '''button, it is necessary to check the '''Time Cursor: '''checkbox '''ON'''.  This can be done, for example, in the OnePager '''Chart Editor’s''' ribbon tool bar '''View''' tab’s '''Graphic elements''' section using the '''Time Cursor''' checkbox as described at the beginning of this article.  Alternatively, you can check the '''Time Cursor''' checkbox '''ON''' in either the '''Template Properties''' or '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Calendar''' sub-tab’s '''Formatting & Layout''' control group as shown immediately above. Then, clicking the '''Time Cursor properties…''' button accesses the '''Set time cursor and pointer properties''' form at the '''Time cursor''' tab shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(3-1)-06072023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(3-1)-06072023.png</center>-->

The form shown above has two sub-tabs: (1) '''Time cursor''' and (2) '''Pointer'''.  These two sub-tabs are discussed in the sub-sections that follow.

===Time Cursor Sub-Tab===

====Time Cursor Display Location====

At the top of the '''Time Cursor''' sub-tab is the '''Display location: '''dropdown which consists of three (3) options shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(4-1)-06072023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(4-1)-06072023.png</center>-->

You have the option to display the '''time cursor line''' just (1) '''In the chart''', (2) '''In the time axis''', or (3) '''In chart & time axis'''.  The option for '''In chart & time axis''' is shown above in a previous chart illustration.

====Time Cursor Line Control Group====

The '''Time Cursor Line''' control group contains controls for selecting the '''Line color''', '''Line width''', and '''Dash type''' as shown here:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(4A)-06082023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(4A)-06082023.png</center>-->

Clicking the '''Line color''' dropdown accesses the standard OnePager '''Color chooser''' form used throughout the application to '''manage color changes''' for graphic elements.  The '''Line width''' control is a '''roller''' control where you can select a '''line width''' or type-in the desired '''width'''.  The '''Dash type''' dropdown allows you to select one of the five (5) available '''line dash types''' as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(5-1)-06072023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(5-1)-06072023.png</center>-->

These are the same '''dash type''' options available for '''line connectors''', '''task links''', and various '''borders'''.

====Time Cursor Shading Control Group====

Adding '''time cursor shading''' to your chart is a way of '''highlighting a time zone around the time cursor line''' that focuses attention to that area as shown in the illustration at the beginning of this article.

The '''time cursor shading''' feature is provided to assist in enhancing the position of the '''time cursor line''' for the purpose of highlighting the past from the future in the '''project time line'''.  The '''Left Color:''' and '''Right Color:''' options are '''enabled '''by first checking the desired '''Left Color:''' and/or''' Right Color: '''checkboxes '''ON''' to '''enable '''the remaining controls in each set.

The '''Time Cursor Shading''' control group contains controls for introducing '''shaded areas''' to the '''left '''and/or''' right''' of the '''time cursor line '''in the chart as shown here:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(5A)-06082023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(5A)-06082023.png</center>-->

You have the options to select the '''shaded area’s color''' by clicking the associated dropdown to access standard OnePager '''Color chooser''' form.  Controls are also provided for each '''shaded area''' to specify the '''Transparency level''' for the '''shaded area''' created. '''Transparency levels''' operate the same way as '''transparency levels''' operate for '''Curtains''' and '''Inserted Images (pictures)''', for example.

As discussed above, you have the option to specify individual '''shading area''' on the '''left side''' and/or '''right side''' of the '''time cursor’s vertical line'''.  For the '''left and/or right side shading''', you specify where the '''shading begins''' by either specifying that '''shading''' begins '''At the left and/or right edge of the chart''' or on a '''number of days''' to the '''left and/or right edge of the time cursor line''' as shown below where '''shading begins''' at the '''left and right sides of the chart''':

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(2-2)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(2-2)-07032023.png</center>--> 

Note that on the '''left side''' of the '''time cursor''', the '''shading''' does not include the '''row and/or swimlane labels and columns'''. '''Shading''' includes the '''time axis''' if the selection is made to have the '''time cursor line''' extend into the '''time axis levels'''.

The alternative is to specify the number of days '''before''' and '''after''' the '''date of the time cursor''' as shown below where the '''default value''' is '''thirty (30) days''' to the '''left and right edge of the time cursor line''':


<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(5B)-06082023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(5B)-06082023.png</center>-->

When you click '''OK''' on the '''Set time cursor and pointer properties''' form and '''OK/Apply''' on the '''Chart Properties''' form the chart is updated to look like this:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(2B-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(2B-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

'''Shaded area''' to the '''left''' and '''right''' of the '''time cursor line''' are not considered '''curtains''' and are not recorded in the '''Curtains and Timespans '''grid in the '''Template Properties''' or '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Time Axis''' tab’s '''Format''' sub-tab.  Further, '''shaded areas''' are '''snapshot independent''' meaning that once defined they appear in '''all''' snapshots where the '''time cursor line''' is visible. '''Time Cursor shading''' can be turned '''OFF''' by unchecking the '''Left Color:''' and/or '''Right Color:''' checkboxes.

===Pointer Sub-Tab===

The '''Pointer sub-tab''' provides the capability to highlight the position of the '''time cursor line''' above the '''time axis''' or the '''chart''' either with or without the '''time cursor line '''being displayed.  Additionally, you have the capability to insert the '''time cursor line date''' at a selected position when the '''pointer''' is being displayed.

====Pointer Shape Format Control Group====

The '''Pointer '''tab’s '''Pointer Shape Format '''control group contains controls for selecting the '''Pointer Shape color''', the '''Pointer Shape''', and the '''Pointer Height''' as shown here:  

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6-2)-01152024.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6-2)-01152024.png</center>-->

When the '''Show Pointer Shape '''checkbox is checked '''ON''', the '''Color''', '''Shape''', and '''Height''' controls are '''enabled''' and operate the same as the corresponding controls found for task bars/milestone symbols.  That is, for '''color''', clicking the dropdown accesses the standard OnePager '''Color chooser '''form.  Clicking the '''Shape: '''dropdown gives you access to the standard OnePager '''Shape chooser''' form where you can chose '''dynamic shapes''' or an '''emoji''' as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6D)-06262023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6D)-06262023.png</center>-->

Finally, the '''Height:''' control gives you the option to change the '''vertical height of the pointer shape''' in the '''graph''' and/or above the '''time axis level''' as shown below where the '''pointer height''' is doubled from the '''default value of 0.30''':

<center>'''Time Cursor Pointer Above the Top Time Axis Level with Height Equal to 0.60'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6E-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6E-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

<center>'''Time Cursor Pointer in the Chart with Height Equal to 0.60'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6F-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6F-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

====Pointer Date Label Format Control Group====

The '''Pointer Date Label Format''' control group provides controls for addition of the '''time cursor date''' to a '''position''' next to the '''pointer shape'''.  When the '''Show Pointer Date Label''' checkbox is checked '''ON''', the '''Font:''', '''Position:''', and '''Date Format:''' controls are '''enabled''' as shown here: 

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6B-1)-01152024.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6B-1)-01152024.png</center>-->

====Time Cursor Date Label Font====

Clicking the '''Font:''' windows dropdown accesses the standard OnePager '''Font properties''' form where you have controls for the '''Font type'''; '''Font size'''; '''Font color'''; and for establishing '''Bold''', ''Italics''', '''''and [[Underline]].

====Time Cursor Date Label Position====

Clicking the '''Position:''' window dropdown accesses the three '''position''' options available for the '''time cursor date''' in the chart or above the '''time axis''' as shown here:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6A-1)-01152024.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6A-1)-01152024.png</center>-->

There are three (3) options for the '''time cursor date''' because of the constrained location where the '''time cursor line''' and its associated '''date''' can be placed.  Each option is a '''“Best fit…”''' option where OnePager determines the final '''position''' of the '''time cursor date''' based on where there are fewer '''collisions''' with other '''graphic elements''' in the chart.

====Time Cursor Date Label Date Format====

Clicking the '''Date Format:''' dropdown accesses the standard OnePager list of available '''date formats''' as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(6C)-06072023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(6C)-06072023.png</center>-->

'''Date formats''' for the '''time cursor pointer''' can be selected separately from the '''date formats''' available '''for time axis cells''' at any level.

If we assume that the '''time cursor line''' is being displayed above the '''time axis '''with the '''date''', then the chart looks like this:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(7-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(7-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

When the '''Show Pointer Shape '''checkbox is checked '''ON''', the '''Color''', '''Shape''', and '''Height''' controls are the same as found for task bars/milestone symbols.  That is, for '''color''', clicking the dropdown accesses the standard OnePager '''Color chooser '''form.  Clicking the '''Shape '''dropdown gives you access to the standard OnePager '''Shape chooser''' form where you can chose '''dynamic shapes''' or an '''emoji'''.

If the '''time cursor line''' is set to display only in the chart, then the chart shown above looks like the illustration below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(8-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(8-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

The '''Pointer shape''' can be used when the '''time axis''' is not present at the top of the chart and can be used to denote the '''time cursor’s date''' as shown here where the '''time axis''' is displayed at the bottom of the chart:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(9-1)-07032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(9-1)-07032023.png</center>-->

====Use Fiscal Year Checkbox====

The '''Use fiscal year '''checkbox, when checked '''ON,''' changes the contents of the '''Date format: '''dropdown list to now contain '''Fiscal Year''' formatted dates as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-22_7_1-72-(10)-06122023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-22_7_1-72-(10)-06122023.png</center>-->

When a '''fiscal year formatted date''' is selected for the '''pointer date''', the '''fiscal year representation''' is shown in the chart regardless of the '''Label formats''' selected for the '''time axis levels'''.  It is recommended, however, that when using '''fiscal year date formats''' for the '''pointer date''', that you also use '''fiscal year formats''' for the '''time axis level’s Label formats'''.

==Related Links==

{| class="wikitable"
|[https://www.onepager.com/support/whats-new/time-cursor.html Time Cursor Upgrades]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
| [[OnePager's Ribbon Tool Bar View Tab for Version 7.2 | Ribbon Tool Bar - View Tab]] <!--4.0.2.2.9-72-->
| [[Creating and Managing Curtains for Version 7.2 | Creating and Managing Curtains]] <!--16.0.1-72-->
|-
| [[Background Images for Version 7.2 (Portal) | Background Images (Portal)]] <!--20.0.1-72-->
| [[Changing the Time Axis Borders for OnePager for Version 7.2 | Changing the Time Axis Borders for OnePager]] <!--22.1.7-72-->
|-
| [[Showing and Hiding Time Axis Levels and Cells for OnePager for Version 7.2 | Showing and Hiding Time Axis Levels and Cells for OnePager]] <!--22.3.3-72-->
| [[The Non-Linear Time Axis Feature for OnePager for Version 7.2 | The Non-Linear Time Axis Feature for OnePager]] <!--22.3.7-72-->
|-
| [[The Floating Time Axis Feature for OnePager for Version 7.2 | The Floating Time Axis Feature for OnePager]] <!--22.3.9-72-->
| [[Editing Time Axes with the Chart Properties Form for OnePager for Version 7.2 | Editing Time Axes with the Chart Properties Form for OnePager]] <!--22.4.1-72-->
|-
| [[Creating, Editing, and Managing Time Axis Daily Curtains for OnePager for Version 7.2 | Creating, Editing, and Managing Time Axis Daily Curtains for OnePager]] <!--22.5.5-72-->
|}

(22.7.1-72)

[[Category:Version 7.2]]
[[Category:Editing the Chart]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Tool Bar]]    
[[Category:Time Axis]]
[[Category:Time Axis Tab]]
[[Category:Floating Time Axis]]
[[Category:Non-Linear Time Axis]]
[[Category:Color Palettes]]
[[Category:Curtains]]
[[Category:Ribbon]]
[[Category:Task/Milestone]]
[[Category:Template Properties Form]]
[[Category:Chart Properties Form]]
[[Category:Time Cursor]]
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[[Category:OnePager Express]]
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