Timesheets Help Structure
This section is made up of three connected parts:
[ Timesheets] → [ Custom Field Types ] → [ Timesheet Templates ]
Each part plays a different role in how time is recorded and submitted. You are currently viewing: Timesheets
Timesheets - How Everything Fits Together
Overview
In SaveTrees, timesheets are built using two core components:
- Custom Field Types (CFTs) - what time is being tracked
- Timesheet Templates (TTs) - Which CFTs are being used and how the timesheet is structured
Understanding how these two pieces work together will make everything else simple.
What Is a Timesheet?
A timesheet is what workers complete to record their time.
It can include one or more types of time, such as:
- Standard hours
- Project-based hours
- Night shifts
- On-call time
- Sleep-in shifts
Admins control how timesheets behave. Workers simply complete what they are given.
A typical setup will simply be Standard time + Overtime but you can have anything you want, if you need it.
The Two Layers of a Timesheet
Every timesheet has two layers:
1. Custom Field Types - What is being tracked
Custom Field Types define the categories of time a worker can log.
For example:
- Standard Hours
- Project A Hours
- Project B Hours
- On-call Hours
- Night Shift
- Travel Time
These are reusable building blocks. They describe the type of input, but they do not control how or when a timesheet is submitted.
2. Timesheet Templates - How it is structured
Timesheet Templates decide:
- Which Custom Field Types appear on the timesheet and in what order
- Whether they are shown by default or hidden until selected
- How often the timesheet must be submitted (weekly or monthly)
Put simply; Templates control the structure and rules. Custom Field Types provide the content.
How It Works in Practice
Here’s a simple example:
A care agency might create three Custom Field Types:
- Standard Hours
- Sleep-in Shift
- Travel Time
They then create a Weekly Timesheet Template that:
- Includes those three categories
- Is set to weekly submission
- Is assigned to all carers
Workers complete the timesheet.
Managers review and approve it.
That’s it.
Important to Remember
- Custom Field Types do nothing on their own. They must be added to a Template.
- Workers only see the Template they are assigned to.
- You can create multiple Templates for different teams, clients or working patterns.
Where to go next
- To create or edit time categories → see Custom Field Types
- To control submission frequency or assign workers → see Timesheet Templates
This help article was last updated on February 27, 2026
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