Graphviz: how to make timeline / rank on one line

I am trying to create a merger schedule for the Dutch energy sector. I use rank=sameto make nodes stay the same year. However, the timeline relies on itself, so that the nodes in the "past" are in the same column as the "1993".

effect in graph

How can I make years stay neat in one row and corresponding nodes in separate columns?

digraph energy_mergers {
ranksep=0.05 
rankdir=LR

{
node [shape=plaintext, fontsize=8];
/* the time-line graph */
{past [shape=plaintext, fontsize=26]}
-> 1987 -> 1988 -> 1989
-> {1990 [shape=plaintext, fontsize=26]} -> 1991 -> 1992 -> 1993 
-> 1994 -> 1995 -> 1996 
-> 1997 -> 1998 -> 1999
-> {2000 [shape=plaintext, fontsize=26]} -> 2001 -> 2002 
-> 2003 -> 2004
-> 2005 -> 2006 -> 2007
-> {2008 [shape=plaintext, fontsize=26]}
}

node [shape=box];
{ rank=source; past; "Obragas"; "Haarlemmermeer"; "NRE"; "SEP"; "EZH"; "GEB Den Haag"; "GEB Dordrecht"; "GEB Rotterdam"; "Vlaardingen/Maassluis"; "ERL"; "Delfland" ; "Weert"; "EMH"; "GZO"; "GMK"; "EZK"; "GNOF"; "Amstelland"; "ONS"; "GCN"; "PUEM"; "GEB Utrecht"; "PEGUS"; "PEN"; "GEB Amsterdam"; "GKNH"; "EZW"; "GEB Haarlem"; "REGEV"; "GAMOG"; "GGR"; "EWR"; "Centraal Overijssel"; "RENDO"; "VNB"; "ZGN"; "PEB Friesland"; "PGEM"; "EGD"; "Ijsselmij"; "Salland"; "GAZO"; "Frigem"; "Westergo"; "Westland"; "Maastricht"; "Heerlen"; "Limagas" ; "PLEM"; "RNH"; "PNEM"; "PZEM"; "Intergas"}

{ rank=same; 1987; "REMU"; "EPON"; "EPZ"}

{ rank=same; 1988; "EZH_1988" [label="EZH"]; "UNA"}

{ rank=same; 1991; "DELTA" [label="DELTA"]}

{ rank=same; 1992; "Ijsselmij_1992" [label="Ijsselmij"];
"MEGA"}

{ rank=min; 1993; "NUON_1993" [label="NUON"];
"EDON";
"PNEM"}

{ rank=same; 1994; "NUON_1994" [label="NUON"]}

{ rank=same; 1995; "ENECO_1995" [label="ENECO"];
"ENW"}

{ rank=same; 1997; "PNEM/MEGA"}

{ rank=same; 1998; "TenneT_1998" [label="TenneT"]; 
"ENW_1998" [label="ENW"];
"EDON_1998" [label="EDON"];

}

{ rank=same; 1999; "TZH_1999" [label="TZH"]; 
"Preussen_1999" [label="Preussen\nElektra"];
"REMU_1999" [label="REMU"];
"Electrabel";
"Essent_1999" [label="Essent"];
"NUON_1999" [label="NUON"];
}

{ rank=same; 2000; "RWE_2000" [label="RWE"]; "E.On_2000" [label="E.On"];
"ENECO_2000" [label="ENECO"];
"Reliant" [label="Reliant Energy"];
"Essent_2000" [label="Essent"]}

{ rank=same; 2003; "ENECO_2003" [label="ENECO"];
"NUON_2003" [label="NUON"];}

{ rank=same; 2005; "E.On_2005" [label="E.On"];
}

{ rank=same; 2006; "Electrabel_2006" [label="Electrabel"]}

{ rank=same; 2008; "RWE_2008" [label="RWE"]; "NRE/ObN-NetH"; 
"TenneT_2008" [label="TenneT"];
"E.On_2008" [label="E.On"];
"ENECO_2008" [label="ENECO"];
"Stedin_2008" [label="Stedin"];
"Liander_2008" [label="Liander"];
"NUON_2008" [label="NUON"];
"Cogas_2008" [label="Cogas"];
"RENDO_2008" [label="RENDO"];
"Electrabel_2008" [label="Electrabel"];
"Essent Netwerk_2008" [label="Essent Netwerk"];
"Essent_2008" [label="Essent"];
"EPZ_2008" [label="EPZ"];
"DELTA_2008" [label="Delta"];
"DELTA Netwerkbeheer_2008" [label="Delta\nNetwerkbeheer"];
"Intergas_2008" [label="Intergas"];
"DONG_2008" [label="DONG"];
}

//Splitsingspunten zonder naam
node [shape=point];
{ rank = same; 1997; "EDON_1997" [label=""];}
{ rank = same; 1998; "EZH_1998" [label=""]; 
"ENECO_1998" [label=""];
"PNEM/MEGA_1998" [label="PNEM/MEGA"]}
{ rank = same; 2000; "EPZ_2000" ;}
{ rank = same; 2001; "NUON_2001" ;}
{ rank = same; 2003; "TenneT_2003" [label=""];}
{ rank = same; 2005; "NRE_2005" [label=""];
"Intergas_2005" [label=""];
"Essent_2005" [label=""];}
{ rank = same; 2006; "Cogas_2006" [label=""];
"RENDO_2006"; "EN_2006"; "Essent_2006"}
{ rank = same; 2007; "RWE_2007" [label=""];
"ENECO_2007" [label=""];
"NUON_2007" [label=""];
"DELTA_2007" [label=""]}

/* Wellicht anders dan origineel 1 lijn voor combinatie levering/netbeheer */

/* Beheer van gas- en/of elektriciteitsnetten */
edge [color=blue];
"Obragas" -> "RWE_2000"
"Haarlemmermeer" -> "RWE_2000"
"RWE_2000" -> "RWE_2007"
"RWE_2007" -> "NRE/ObN-NetH"
"NRE" -> "NRE/ObN-NetH"
"EZH" -> "EZH_1988" [label="150 kV-net Zuid-Holland"]
"EZH_1988" -> "EZH_1998" -> "TZH_1999" -> "TenneT_2003"

//ENECO/Stedin
"GEB Den Haag" -> "ENECO_1995"
"GEB Dordrecht" -> "ENECO_1995"
"GEB Rotterdam" -> "ENECO_1995"
"Vlaardingen/Maassluis" -> "ENECO_1995"
"ERL" -> "ENECO_1998"
"ENECO_1995" -> "ENECO_1998" -> "ENECO_2000" -> "ENECO_2003" -> "ENECO_2007"
"ENECO_2007" -> "Stedin_2008"
"Delfland" -> "ENECO_2000"
"Weert" -> "ENECO_2000"
"EMH" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GZO" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GMK" -> "ENECO_2000"
"EZK" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GNOF" -> "ENECO_2000"
"Amstelland" -> "ENECO_2000"
"ONS" -> "ENECO_2007"
"GCN" -> "REMU_1999" 
"PUEM" -> "REMU"
"GEB Utrecht" -> "REMU" -> "REMU_1999" -> "ENECO_2003"

//NUON
"PEN" -> "ENW"
"GEB Amsterdam" -> "ENW"
"GKNH" -> "ENW"
"EZW" -> "ENW"
"GEB Haarlem" -> "ENW" -> "ENW_1998"
"REGEV" -> "ENW_1998" -> "NUON_1999"
"GAMOG" -> "NUON_1999"
"GGR" -> "NUON_2001" 
"EWR" -> "NUON_1999"
"VNB" -> "NUON_1994"
"ZGN" -> "NUON_1994"
"PEB Friesland" -> "NUON_1993"
"PGEM" -> "NUON_1993" -> "NUON_1994" -> "NUON_1999" -> "NUON_2001" -> "NUON_2003"
"NUON_2003" -> "NUON_2007" -> "Liander_2008"

//Overig
"Centraal Overijssel" -> "Cogas_2008"
"RENDO" -> "RENDO_2008"
"Intergas" -> "Intergas_2005" -> "Intergas_2008"
"PZEM" -> "DELTA" -> "DELTA_2007" -> "DELTA Netwerkbeheer_2008"

//RWE/Essent
"EGD" -> "EDON" -> "EDON_1997" -> "EDON_1998" -> "Essent_1999" -> "Essent_2000" 
"Essent_2000" -> "Essent_2005" -> "EN_2006" -> "Essent Netwerk_2008"
"Ijsselmij" -> "Ijsselmij_1992"
"Salland" -> "Ijsselmij_1992"
"GAZO" -> "Ijsselmij_1992" -> "EDON"
"Frigem" -> "EDON_1997"
"Westergo" -> "EDON_1998"
"Westland" -> "EN_2006"
"Maastricht" -> "Essent_2000"
"Heerlen" -> "PNEM/MEGA_1998" 
"Limagas" -> "MEGA"
"PLEM" -> "MEGA" -> "PNEM/MEGA" -> "PNEM/MEGA_1998" -> "Essent_1999"
"RNH" -> "PNEM_1993" -> "PNEM/MEGA"
"PNEM" -> "PNEM_1993"

edge [color=blue,style=bold];
"SEP" -> "TenneT_1998" [label="Landelijk koppelnet (220kV/380kV)"]
"TenneT_1998" -> "TenneT_2003" -> "TenneT_2008"

/* Levering (verkoop) van gas- en/of elektriciteit aan particulieren */
edge [color=green];
"Obragas" -> "RWE_2000"
"Haarlemmermeer" -> "RWE_2000"
"RWE_2000" -> "RWE_2007"
"RWE_2007" -> "RWE_2008"
"NRE" -> "NRE_2005" -> "E.On_2005"
"E.On_2005" -> "E.On_2008"

//ENECO/Stedin
"GEB Den Haag" -> "ENECO_1995"
"GEB Dordrecht" -> "ENECO_1995"
"GEB Rotterdam" -> "ENECO_1995"
"Vlaardingen/Maassluis" -> "ENECO_1995"
"ERL" -> "ENECO_1998"
"ENECO_1995" -> "ENECO_1998" -> "ENECO_2000" -> "ENECO_2003" -> "ENECO_2007"
"ENECO_2007" -> "ENECO_2008"
"Delfland" -> "ENECO_2000"
"Weert" -> "ENECO_2000"
"EMH" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GZO" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GMK" -> "ENECO_2000"
"EZK" -> "ENECO_2000"
"GNOF" -> "ENECO_2000"
"Amstelland" -> "ENECO_2000"
"ONS" -> "ENECO_2007"
"GCN" -> "REMU_1999" 
"PUEM" -> "REMU"
"GEB Utrecht" -> "REMU" -> "REMU_1999" -> "ENECO_2003"

//NUON
"PEN" -> "ENW"
"GEB Amsterdam" -> "ENW"
"GKNH" -> "ENW"
"EZW" -> "ENW"
"GEB Haarlem" -> "ENW" -> "ENW_1998"
"REGEV" -> "ENW_1998" -> "NUON_1999"
"GAMOG" -> "NUON_1999"
"GGR" -> "NUON_2001" 
"EWR" -> "NUON_1999"
"VNB" -> "NUON_1994"
"ZGN" -> "NUON_1994"
"PEB Friesland" -> "NUON_1993"
"PGEM" -> "NUON_1993" -> "NUON_1994" -> "NUON_1999" -> "NUON_2001" -> "NUON_2003"
"NUON_2003" -> "NUON_2007" -> "NUON_2008"

//RWE/Essent
"EGD" -> "EDON" -> "EDON_1997" -> "EDON_1998" -> "Essent_1999" -> "Essent_2000" 
"Essent_2000" -> "Essent_2005" -> "Essent_2006"
"Ijsselmij" -> "Ijsselmij_1992"
"Salland" -> "Ijsselmij_1992"
"GAZO" -> "Ijsselmij_1992" -> "EDON"
"Frigem" -> "EDON_1997"
"Westergo" -> "EDON_1998"
"Westland" -> "Essent_2006" -> "Essent_2008"
"Maastricht" -> "Essent_2000"
"Heerlen" -> "PNEM/MEGA_1998" 
"Limagas" -> "MEGA"
"PLEM" -> "MEGA" -> "PNEM/MEGA" -> "PNEM/MEGA_1998" -> "Essent_1999"
"RNH" -> "PNEM_1993" -> "PNEM/MEGA"
"PNEM" -> "PNEM_1993"

//Overig
"Centraal Overijssel" -> "Cogas_2006" -> "Electrabel_2006"
"RENDO" -> "RENDO_2006"  -> "Electrabel_2006" -> "Electrabel_2008"
"Intergas" -> "Intergas_2005" -> "DONG_2008"
"PZEM" -> "DELTA" -> "DELTA_2008"


/* Grootschalige productie van elektriciteit in Nederland */
edge [color=red];
"GEB Den Haag" -> "EZH_1988"
"GEB Dordrecht" -> "EZH_1988"
"GEB Rotterdam" -> "EZH_1988"
"EZH_1988" -> "EZH_1998" -> "Preussen_1999" -> "E.On_2000" -> "E.On_2005" -> "E.On_2008"
"PEGUS" -> "UNA" 
"PEN" -> "UNA"
"GEB Amsterdam" -> "UNA" -> "Reliant" -> "NUON_2003" -> "NUON_2007" -> "NUON_2008"

"PEB Friesland" -> "EPON" 
"PGEM"-> "EPON" 
"EGD"-> "EPON" 
"Ijsselmij"-> "EPON" -> "Electrabel" -> "Electrabel_2006" -> "Electrabel_2008"

"PLEM" -> "EPZ"
"RNH" -> "EPZ"
"PNEM" -> "EPZ"
"PZEM" -> "EPZ" -> "EPZ_2000" -> "EPZ_2008"
"EPZ_2000" -> "Essent_2000" [label="Centrales van N-Brabant \nen Limburg naar\nEssent"]
"Essent_2000" -> "Essent_2008"
}
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1 answer

I found that I can fix the problem by replacing:

{ rank=min; 1993; "NUON_1993" [label="NUON"];
"EDON";
"PNEM"}

... with:

{ rank=same; 1993; "NUON_1993" [label="NUON"];
"EDON";
"PNEM_1993" [label="PNEM"]}

, PNEM , Past, rank=min PNEM, 1993 , Past.

+3

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/1531162/


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