Allow Manual Time Entries
Control whether team members can add time manually.
Manual time entries let users record time without running a live timer.
Use this setting to match your time policy. Some teams need strict timer-based tracking; others need manual correction for offline work and missed timers.
Change Manual Entry Setting
- Open Settings.
- Go to Time Tracking.
- Turn Allow manual entries on or off.
- Save settings.
When manual entries are disabled, users should track work through the timer instead of creating time rows directly.
After changing the setting, ask one non-admin user to open time tracking and confirm the manual entry action appears or disappears as expected. This is the fastest way to verify the policy from the perspective of the people entering time.
When To Disable Manual Entries
Disable manual entries when your team needs stricter time capture. Keep them enabled when managers expect users to correct missed timers or enter offline work.
Manual entries are useful for:
- Offline client work.
- Missed timers.
- Backfilling time after a meeting.
- Correcting project or task assignment before timesheet review.
Use a clear internal rule for when manual entries are allowed. For example, allow missed timers and offline work, but require notes and manager review before the time can be billed.
Disable or restrict them when billing depends on live timer records, when managers need stronger auditability, or when manual rows are causing inaccurate reports.
Manual Entry Policy Examples
Choose a policy users can follow:
- Allow manual entries for missed timers with a required note.
- Allow managers to add corrections but require user review.
- Allow offline work entries only within the current week.
- Disable manual entries for billable client work but allow internal corrections where your process supports it.
Document the rule so timesheet reviewers apply it consistently.
Review Manual Time
Managers should review manual entries before approving timesheets. Check the date, duration, project, task, note, and user. If the entry does not have enough context, reject or ask for clarification before it reaches billing or reports.
Compare manual entries with calendar meetings, project activity, or task comments when the entry affects billing. The goal is to keep billing evidence clear without blocking legitimate offline work.
Changing the setting does not automatically clean up old time rows. Existing manual entries remain part of reports and timesheets until edited or removed by someone with permission.
Billing And Payroll Impact
Manual time can affect invoices, project profitability, payroll review, and team utilization reports. Before enabling manual entries broadly, decide whether billable manual rows require manager approval, notes, or a same-week submission rule.
If a manual entry changes customer billing, keep enough context for a reviewer
to explain it later. A useful note says what work was done and why the timer was
not used, rather than only saying missed timer.
After Policy Changes
After changing manual-entry settings, review open timesheets and recent reports. Users may have created manual rows under the old policy, and those entries may still need approval, rejection, or correction.
Troubleshooting
If users cannot add manual time, confirm the setting is enabled and their role allows time entry.
If reports look inflated, review manual rows for duplicate entries, missing notes, or incorrect project/task assignment.
After changing the setting, review existing workflows and team instructions so users know whether they should use timers, manual entries, or manager-submitted corrections.