---
title: Filters and Focus
category: Timeline
tags: timeline, filters, focus, characters, assets, threads
contextKey: timeline.filters
micro: Narrow the Timeline to the story concern you are reviewing.
quickTitle: Filters and focus
quickSummary: Filters change which scenes and lanes are emphasised so you can review a book, character, asset, plot thread or warning pattern.
screenshot:
---

# Overview

Filters help you review a specific part of the story without changing the story itself. They change what is visible or emphasised on the Timeline, so you can answer focused revision questions.

Book, chapter and scene filters narrow the structural scope. Character, asset, plot line, plot thread, location, warning and purpose filters narrow by story evidence. Focus mode highlights the matching scenes and dims the rest.

# Examples

Filter to one book when revising a sequel but keep the project context intact.

Filter to a character to find every scene where they appear, then check whether their emotional state or knowledge changes make sense.

Filter to an asset such as a letter, weapon, key, document, vehicle or piece of evidence to see where it appears, moves or changes custody.

Filter to a thread to trace a mystery question from setup to reveal.

Show warnings only when you are doing a continuity pass and want to move quickly from problem scene to problem scene.

# Things To Remember

Filtering is a lens, not a delete action. Scenes that disappear or dim have not been removed.

If a scene you expect is missing, check whether the scene has the character, asset, location, thread event or purpose attached. The Timeline can only filter by recorded planning evidence.

# Related Guides

- [Saved Views](/Help/Article/timeline.savedViews)
- [Character Appearances](/Help/Article/timeline.characterAppearances)
- [Asset Events](/Help/Article/timeline.assetEvents)
