25+ Best Free PowerPoint Timeline and Roadmap Templates PPTs for 2021

PowerPoint timeline template slides are a great way to visually illustrate time, but they can be time-consuming to create.

There are many PPT timeline templates that you can easily customize to create a timeline PowerPoint slide. The best PPT timeline templates are professionally designed, but if money is tight you can download a timeline PPT template free.

In this article, I share some awesome premium PPT timeline templates from Envato Elements. I'll also show you high-quality premium PPT roadmap templates from GraphicRiver. I'll also share over 20 timelines for PowerPoint templates to download for free.

Why Use a Premium Presentation Template in 2021?

You may wonder why I'm writing about premium presentation templates in an article on how to get PPT timeline templates free. The answer is simple.

Premium templates are quick way to get great-looking presentations. If you've ever tried to design a PowerPoint slide yourself, you know that it can be time-consuming. And unless you're a professional designer, the results may not be quite what you hoped for. 

You may be convinced you need a roadmap template for PPT for free. But free templates often lack what you need. With a premium timeline and roadmap template for PPT, you'll get professional results. Plus all the time saved and style options make premium timeline PPT templates are quite reasonably priced.

At Envato, we offer two options for premium presentation templates. Our first option, Envato Elements, is the best if you create presentations often. For a low monthly fee, you'll receive unlimited access to professionally-designed presentation templates. Plus, you'll get access to other helpful assets such as our WordPress themes and our premium Tuts+ courses. 

If you just need a single premium timeline PPT template, don't worry. We've got an option for that too. Simply pay for a one-time presentation template download from GraphicRiver. You'll get all the benefits of using a premium timeline or roadmap template for PPT.

Now let's look at some premium timeline and roadmap template examples in PowerPoint so you can see what I'm talking about.

5 Top Premium Timeline & Roadmap PowerPoint Templates (From Envato Elements)

Here's a selection of some of our best premium roadmap and timeline on PowerPoint templates:

1. 50 in 1 Timeline Template PowerPoint (Pack)

Whatever type of timeline PPT template you need, you'll find a template for it in this pack with 50 unique slides. Choose from between 3-D graphic timeline PPT template and more traditional looks. This retina-ready PowerPoint timeline template is simple to customize. Simply type in your own information and you're ready to go with your roadmap slides.

2. Timeline PPT Template

The Timeline PPT Template is ideal for marketing and business presentations. It comes with seven pre-made color schemes. Choose between 30 different roadmap slide designs. This retina-ready timeline PPT template is available in three common aspect ratios: 16:9 HD, 16:10, and 4:3. You'll get .ppt templates and .xml files with your download.

3. Rubick Presentation Template

You'll capture your audience's attention with the Rubick PowerPoint timeline graphic template. It's brightly colored and has modern design. Plus, it's full of features. Here's some of what you'll get from this eye-catching roadmap template PPT:

• over 100 different slides
• files for both PowerPoint and Keynote
• easy-to-edit charts and infographics
• and much more!

4. Oriola: Business Template (With Timeline Template PPT)

This general-purpose business PowerPoint template has some great easy-to-use timeline in PPT templates. Choose between dark and light theme variations. There are 50 different slide designs including screen mockups for tablets and smart phones. Create the roadmap slide presentation you need by quickly adding your own text and images. You won't find this quality in a roadmap PPT free download.

5. Leaf Multipurpose PPT (With Timeline in PPT Template)

Give your presentation a fresh look with this gorgeous presentation template. There are eleven color variations of this template and it's got 150 different slides to choose from. Plus, there's animation and transitions with this template to help you engage your audience. This easy-to-use PowerPoint timeline graphic template comes with PDF documentation.

10 Best Premium Roadmap and Timeline PowerPoint Template Examples From GraphicRiver

Are you looking for a PowerPoint timeline graphic or roadmap template for PPT? Then don't miss these from GraphicRiver:

1. Business Infographics PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint roadmap template offers timelines and infographics for your presentation. With your purchase, you get over 50 unique slides that feature helpful graphics. It's easy to edit these professional PowerPoint roadmap templates to add your own information and details. Replace the image placeholders with your own images. This download is light years ahead of most PowerPoint timeline templates that are free.

2. Cleverlay PowerPoint Presentation Template

Here's an attractive PowerPoint template. It's full of PPT PowerPoint roadmap templates for your product development presentations. This highly editable PPT roadmap template comes with great choices for color schemes and editing features. Type in your own text details and replace the image placeholders with your own photos and images to create a top-notch presentation.

3. Corporate Master PowerPoint Presentation Template

There are over 400 slides in this download that give you device mockups, charts, and more. You'll find that it also has a professionally designed product PowerPoint timeline template. Plus, it's easy to customize and make it your own. Besides the timeline PPT template slides, you'll also find many other attractive slide templates. Few free editable roadmap PowerPoint templates match up to this one.

4. Process & Timeline Template PPT

This Process and Timeline Template PPT comes with 80+ professional slides. It includes tons of presentation goodies like graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams. Easily edit these elements to suit your needs and create any timeline or roadmap you may need. A good template pack to have handy. This is better than any roadmpa PPT free download you might find online.

5. Infographics - Timeline on PowerPoint Template

This premium template comes with 75 unique slides to convert your data visually into an amazing presentation. Are you someone who creates timelines often in your presentations? With this clean multipurpose PowerPoint timeline template, you'll be spoilt with all the choices. People that download free roadmap templates can't always say that.

6. Tables, Plan & Timeline Template PowerPoint

This is a premium tables, plan and timeline template. These 10+ professional slides allow you to change colors, change shapes, text and charts. As with any premium template, this item offers you upcoming updates for free—never pay again. Get free support—a response within 30 minutes. 

7. Project Timeline PowerPoint Template

Customers love this versatile roadmap template in PowerPoint. And with 83 unique slide designs and 10 color schemes to choose from, it's no wonder this template is so popular. Here's some of what our customers have to say:

"The quality of the material is amazing. Recommended to all the one who needs to prepare professional and stunning presentations!"

"Absolutely love these PowerPoint templates. Really flexible and of fantastic quality. Love them so much I've purchased two more from the vendor. Thanks for all your hard work. It has saved me masses of time!"

It's hard to find free editable roadmap PowerPoint templates that get this kind of love!

8. 3D Infographic & Timeline Presentation Template

Over 1200 slides of 3D infographic and timeline elements. Create awesome and professional presentations with these creative layouts. These 3D elements will take your presentations to the next level. Impress your audience by showing how professional and organized you are. That's hard to do with a free roadmap template for PowerPoint.

9. Marketing Infographics PowerPoint Template Diagrams

Here's a PowerPoint timeline graphic pack that comes with great features to help your presentation succeed. Here's just some of what you'll get when you choose this roadmap PowerPoint template:

• 60+ different slides
• 90 different color schemes
• over 5000 icons
• editable vector objects
• and much more!

10. Diagrams Infographics

We round out our list of timeline and roadmap slide downloads with a set of infographics. It's an editable presentation template that includes a few unique timeline slides. This clean and simple download is multipurpose and can be customized to fit your brand. A PowerPoint timeline template that's free won't be as full of features as this choice. 

25+ Free Roadmap and Timeline PowerPoint Templates for 2021

Many startups, students, and other small business don't have a budget for a premium template. If that's the case, there are plenty of free PowerPoint roadmap templates available. One great source is Envato Elements. It offers both free roadmap PowerPoint templates and free timeline PowerPoint templates. You can download and use them right now.

Here's your list of free PowerPoint roadmap templates from other sources:

1. Serpentine - PowerPoint Roadmap Template Free

Edit this colorful timeline diagram that resembles a winding road. Use the timeline horizontally, vertically, or reversed for a different look.

2. Blue - Free PowerPoint Timeline Example

This timeline template from Microsoft Office features a blue background with horizontal chevrons. The aspect ratio for this PowerPoint timeline template that's free is 16:9.

3. Spheres - Free Roadmap PowerPoint Templates

This free roadmap PowerPoint template slide comes with a light and dark version. In this template each milestone is represented by a sphere. The free editable roadmap PowerPoint template is available in widescreen (16:9) and standard (4:3) aspect ratio.

4. 4 Years - Free Timeline in PPT Template

This timeline in PPT template is pre-designed with four time slots. It's great for four-year plans, or any timeline that needs to show progression over four time periods.

5. Simple - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

This seven-level linear timeline shows milestones as colorful circles. The free editable roadmap PowerPoint template comes with a light and dark version. Change the color scheme if you want to.

6. Berlin Theme - Roadmap Template (PPT) Free Download.

This PowerPoint timeline template from Microsoft uses flags against a green background. This free roadmap PowerPoint template is available in a 16:9 aspect ratio.

7. 6 Years Arrow - Free Roadmap Template in PowerPoint

This linear free timeline diagram features six milestone placeholders along a horizontal arrow. The free roadmap PowerPoint template comes with a light and dark version and is available in both 16:9 and 4:30 aspect ratios.

8. 3D - PowerPoint Roadmap Template Free with Arrow

On this timeline your milestones are represented by spheres along an upward sloping arrow. The free roadmap template design is in 3D to give the elements added depth.

9. Milestone Shapes & Roadmap Template (PPT) Free Download

With this time template, design your milestones are shown as traffic cone shapes along a roadway. The endpoint (goal) of this free roadmap template for PowerPoint is a round sphere.

10. Free PowerPoint Roadmap Templates

This free editable roadmap PowerPoint template features colorful milestones. They're set against a gray background depicted along a linear timeline. 

11. Five Data Points - PowerPoint Roadmap Template Free

This flat design roadmap template PPT slide is from Microsoft Office. It features five round colored milestone markers along a horizontal curved pathway.

12. Project - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

This PowerPoint timeline template that's free resembles a calendar week in a planner. With this download you get two background and two internal slides.

13. Road to Success - Free PowerPoint Timeline Example

The Road to Success PowerPoint Template uses the illustration of a road to denote progress. The red yield-sign shapes represent fails, while success is pictured as a green sphere. It's a free roadmap slide template that's worth a look.

14. Roll Film - Free Roadmap Templates

In this PowerPoint timeline template that's free, time is shown as a strip of film with seven frames. Each frame in the film strip is a milestone. Edit the text to add your own details.

15. Infographic - Free Timeline Template PPT

This horizontal timeline from Microsoft Office uses infographics to depict the timeline milestones. Use the free editable roadmap PowerPoint template as is or change the colors and add text.

16. 5 Agenda - Free Timeline Template PowerPoint

Use this free PowerPoint slide design as a vertical timeline with five points. It comes in a light or dark version and is available for widescreen (16:9) or standard (4:3) aspect ratio.

17. Creative - Free Roadmap PowerPoint Templates

Here's a colorful horizontal timeline PowerPoint template. It comes with three different slide layouts. There are slots for four milestones or levels in this roadmap template PPT free download.

18. Bomb - Free Timeline PowerPoint Template

This free roadmap template for PowerPoint comes in several different layouts. Use the bomb illustrations to represent milestones on your timeline or other crucial points.

19. Growth Timeline w/Trees - Free Roadmap Templates

This horizontal PowerPoint timeline slide design has a growth theme, which is shown by trees on the slide. This roadmap template ppt for free download is available in both a light and dark version.

20. Timeline SmartArt Diagram - Free PowerPoint Timeline Example

This horizontal timeline is also from Microsoft Office. It uses the illustration of colored circles along an arrow to show the passage of time. Add your own tasks or goals.

21. Simple Table - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

This PowerPoint timeline slide includes a horizontal timeline with a table beneath it where you provide more details.

22. Placemark Icon - Free Roadmap Template PowerPoint 

This PowerPoint has an interesting design with placemark icons. Use these to mark important milestones and add more details below each one.

23. Color Square PowerPoint Diagram - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

Use this free roadmap slide template diagram to show your timeline with colorful horizontal squares. 

24. Horizontal Rectangle - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

This PowerPoint timeline template is free and has a rectangle arrow design to showcase various project stages.

25. Colorful Ribbons - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

If you're looking for a more colorful design, check out this free roadmap template for PowerPoint.

26. Chevron Arrows - Roadmap Template PowerPoint Free

This free PowerPoint roadmap slide template design uses different colored chevron arrows.

How to Quickly Customize PowerPoint Timeline and Roadmap Template PPTs for 2021

So, you’ve chosen your favorite PowerPoint timeline template. Now it’s time to start customizing that PowerPoint roadmap template to build your own amazing slide deck. Let’s learn how to get started, in five simple steps.

For this quick tutorial, follow along by using the premium Timeline 2.0 for PowerPoint template from Envato Elements.

Let's get started:

1. Choose Slides to Use

A PowerPoint roadmap template will include a plethora of unique slides. Begin by opening the file and finding the View tab in PowerPoint. 

Next, click Slide Sorter. Remove unwanted slides by holding down Shift while clicking on their thumbnails. Press Delete to remove them and return to work by clicking Normal on the View tab.

2. Add Your Own Text

Add custom text by highlighting the contents of any text box on the slide. Then, start typing. Repeat on every slide. Want a new text box for extra text? Add one of your own by going to the Insert tab and clicking Text Box.

3. Customize Text Styles

With your PowerPoint roadmap template, you’re not constrained by the default font styles. Change features like size, color, and font type, along with adding effects like underlines and italics. 

Those options live on the Home tab, in the Font section. Browse through options in the dropdowns and click on your favorites to apply them.

4. Change Shape Colors

It’s easy to change shape colors on your PowerPoint roadmap template. In this way, you can match slides to your branding, or simply apply your favorite colors. 

Begin by clicking on a slide object. Then, go to the Shape Format menu. There you’ll find the Shape Fill menu. From there, choose a preset color theme, or create your own.

5. Add Images

Image placeholders are built-in spaces meant for photos. You won’t find them in any free roadmap PowerPoint template! To use one, simply drag and drop an image onto the placeholder. PowerPoint will instantly import your photo, perfectly sized and scaled to fit.

5 Tips to Make Great Timelines and Roadmap Slides in PowerPoint

Now that you’ve seen all the great free and premium PowerPoint roadmap templates, the next logical step is to customize your chosen template. To make great timeline and roadmap slides, follow the tips below:

1. Use a Variety of Layouts

In most cases, your PowerPoint template will have a variety of different layouts for each slide type. Vary the layouts to keep the content visually engaging.

2. Convey a Single Growth or Roadmap Message

For each timeline template, it's best to stick to a single growth or roadmap message per slide. It gets confusing for the audience when you try to cramp up a few different topics into a single slide. This also allows you to get creative with the images or way your present it. 

3. Pay Attention to Text Formatting

Make sure your text is formatted correctly. Remember to use a larger font size for the body text to ensure your content is visible even to those who aren’t sitting close to the screen. Use shorter sentences and bullet points to make the content easier to digest.

4. Use the Right Amount of White Space and Animation

It's important to give your slides enough breathing room. Don't put too many elements on a single slide. Every element on the slide needs enough space so the slide is easier to read and digest. 

You can also use a little animation to hide and show sections of the timeline as you go along in the presentation. This professional and organized way of creating your timeline makes it easy to digest and doesn't confuse your audience.    

5. Spice Up the Design With Icons

Lastly, to make your presentation stand out even more, consider adding icons. Use them to mark a new section in your presentation or add them to the timeline itself.

5 Top Timeline & Roadmap Design Trends

If you want your PowerPoint presentation to engage your audience and stand out, you'll want to follow the latest trends. Here are some of the top trends we're seeing for PowerPoint timeline and roadmap templates:

1. Include Creative Timeline Designs

A standard line for your timelines will work in your presentation. But getting a little more creative with the timeline can benefit your presentation. Try using zig zagging lines or create a timeline that creates a square over many slides. 

2. Break Down Your Roadmap Presentations Visually

PowerPoint Roadmap templates include information that must be separated into separate sections. This makes the presentation much easier to understand for your audience. Use a timeline, blocks, dividers, or abstract shapes to separate the specific content on your slides. It'll create a visually appealing and easy to understand roadmap template PPT.

3. Use Bright Colors

By combining standard colored text with bright colors in your presentation, you'll help your slides pop out at your audience. Bright colors such as pink, orange, yellow, and light blue can work really well here. Add these bright colors to the various graphics on your presentation. 

4. Blue & Black Color Scheme

Timeline and roadmap template PPTs contain very important information to the audience that you need them to trust. The blue and black color scheme conveys this trust as trust is associated with the color blue. Use blue as the highlight color of your timeline and roadmap presentations.

5. Use Graphics & Images

High quality graphics and images are a must if you are creating a roadmap or timeline presentation. These types of presentations are expected to be visually appealing. Add images that fit well for the specific topic that you're covering and showcase the style that you want your presentation to be in. 

Discover More Great PowerPoint Templates for 2021

For more PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver, check out the roundups below:

• 
  Presentations
  The Best New Presentation Templates for 2021 (Top PowerPoint PPTs & More)
  Sean Hodge
• 
  Presentations
  23 Education PowerPoint PPT Templates: For Great School Presentations for 2021
  Sean Hodge
• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  30+ Free Education PowerPoint Templates for Schools & Teachers (PPT Downloads 2021)
  Brenda Barron

5 Benefits of Using Professional Templates Section

Are you on the fence about using professional PowerPoint timeline templates? Are you wondering why you should use them when there are so many free templates available?

Professional templates have a few benefits over free ones that you need to consider:

1. Save time. Professional templates save you time because all the necessary slides already designed. All you've got to do is replace the dummy content with your own. 
2. Get modern templates. Professional templates have a modern and polished design that free templates can't match.
3. There are built in ideas. You can get plenty of ideas for what your presentation should include thanks to the slides that have built-in ideas. 
4. You've got control. Professional templates have plenty of customization options that go beyond mere fonts and colors.
5. Your presentation stands out. Finally, professional slides stand out. Most companies use the default presentation templates that come with Microsoft PowerPoint. This will make yours unique.

Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use)

If you want access to thousands of great PowerPoint timeline templates, check out Envato Elements. It's a marketplace with a unique offer: for one, low monthly fee you get access to thousands of great PPT templates and other design assets. 

Sign up for Envato Elements and enjoy unlimited use graphics. You'll also get templates, including web themes, presentation templates, and more—all for one low price. 

Let's now have a look at a few frequently asked questions for Microsoft PowerPoint. 

Common PowerPoint Questions Answered (FAQ)

The premium templates on Elements give you a professional design that's ready to be customized. But you may have a few questions about Microsoft PowerPoint that you will need answering before you begin editing. 

Let's look at five of the most frequently asked questions when starting on your PowerPoint presentation. Here are the questions (and answers):

1. Can You Work With Others in Microsoft PowerPoint?

Yes you can! Collaborating on a PowerPoint will yield great results and PowerPoint makes it easy to do this.

Learn how to work within a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation by checking out the tutorial below:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Collaborate as a Team on PowerPoint (PPT) Presentations
  Andrew Childress

2. Can I Open PowerPoint Template in Google Slides?

What if I send my PowerPoint to someone who doesn't have Microsoft PowerPoint? Will they still be able to open it? The great news is that you don't need Microsoft's PowerPoint to open the presentation. You can open the presentation in the free software, Google Slides. 

Follow the instructions in the following tutorial to find out how to open a PowerPoint presentation in Google Slides:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Collaborate as a Team on PowerPoint (PPT) Presentations
  Andrew Childress

3. Can I Include Narration in My Presentation?

Absolutely! Narration is one of Microsoft PowerPoint's most popular features. Narration allows you to record audio inside the PowerPoint software. You can then play it while your audience is watching the slideshow. 

Find out how to do this in the following tutorial:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Record Narration in a PowerPoint Presentation
  Andrew Childress

4. Can You Import PDF Files in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint makes this incredible easy to do. With PowerPoint, you can take PDF documents and convert them into editable presentations in PowerPoint. 

Find out how to do this in the following tutorial:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Convert & Insert a PDF to PowerPoint (5+ Best Solutions for 2019)
  Andrew Childress

5. Can You Link Microsoft Excel to PowerPoint?

For many, it may be important to include data from your Excel spreadsheets in your PowerPoint presentations. Luckily, these two apps have a seamless integration. 

Find out how you can embed your Excel files into PowerPoint in the tutorial below:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Embed Excel Files and Link Data into PowerPoint
  Andrew Childress

Learn More About PowerPoint Templates

I've just provided you with some great resources that'll help you to create PowerPoint timelines and roadmaps using a template. To learn more about using PowerPoint, study these tutorials:

• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Make Professional PowerPoint Presentations (With PPT Templates)
  Andrew Childress
• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Quickly Customize a PowerPoint Template Design
  Andrew Childress
• 
  Microsoft PowerPoint
  How to Make a Timeline in PowerPoint With Templates
  Andrew Childress

Learn More About Presentations

You've discovered where to find PowerPoint timeline and roadmap templates. You're now ready to start creating your presentation. You'll want to take care to make sure that your presentation is the very best it can be. The right templates are just the first step in making sure that your presentation makes a good impression.

Another way to improve your presentation is to learn more about how to make a good presentation. To do that, grab our eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It's available to download for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

Create PowerPoint Timelines and Roadmaps in 2021

You may be convinced that getting a PowerPoint timeline template for free is what you need in 2021. But don't overlook the benefits of using a premium PowerPoint timeline template. You'll find what you need through Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. Premium PowerPoint templates means you're using professionally designed templates that not everyone has. Plus, you'll be able to put together a professional presentation more quickly. 

Why not download your favorite roadmap template for PPT today? Good luck on your presentation in 2021! 

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Andrew Childress, Daniel Strongin, and Nathan Umoh. Andrew and Daniel are freelance instructors for Envato Tuts+. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.