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How to Create a Work Timesheet Template

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Decide on the required fields

    A useful timesheet usually needs at least four fields: date, task description, time spent, and notes.

  2. Record start and end times

    Logging both the time you started and the time you finished a task lets you calculate the time spent accurately.

  3. Write specific task descriptions

    Recording exactly what you did and why, rather than a vague entry like 'worked on tasks,' makes the log far more useful when you look back on it later.

  4. Build a spreadsheet template

    Setting up columns for date, task, start/end time, duration, and notes lets you log entries quickly in the same format every day.

  5. Set up automatic duration calculation

    Using a simple time-subtraction formula in your spreadsheet fills in the duration automatically as soon as you enter the start and end times.

Why keeping a timesheet is worth the effort

Recording what you worked on and how long it took each day gives you a concrete reference to pull from during a handover, an end-of-period review, or any time you need evidence of how your time was actually spent.

Building the habit that keeps it useful

A timesheet that is only filled in occasionally loses most of its value, so logging entries right after finishing a task, or setting a recurring daily reminder, is what keeps the record accurate and complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fill out a timesheet every single day?

Filling it out daily is most accurate, but at minimum, logging entries right after a task ends or before the day is over helps you avoid forgetting details.

What is the easiest way to calculate time spent?

Adding a formula in your spreadsheet that subtracts the start time from the end time lets duration calculate itself automatically once you enter the times.