Manage Projects/Common Tasks

Generate Time Report

Real-Time Work Hour Logging Guide

1. Define Your Projects (Projects Tab)

Set up a list of common projects, clients, or general task types you work on. Assigning a color can help in visual identification.

2. Logging Time (Timer & Daily Log Tab)

Using the Live Timer:

• Select a project from the dropdown or choose "Log Ad-hoc Task" and enter a specific task name.
• Click "Start New Timer". The timer will run, showing elapsed time for the active task. The browser tab title will also show the timer.
• Use "Pause" and "Resume" as needed. The timer accounts for paused duration.
• When finished, click "Stop & Log". A modal will appear allowing you to confirm/edit the auto-filled start/end times, task description (if ad-hoc or needs refinement), select a project if not already, and add notes.
• "Discard Timer" will stop the timer without creating a log entry.

Manual Entry:

• Select the date for which you want to log time using the "View/Manage Log for Date" picker.
• Click "Add Manual Entry".
• Fill in the task description, select a project (or leave for ad-hoc), set Start Date/Time, and End Date/Time. The duration will be auto-calculated. Add optional notes.

3. Recovering Interrupted Timers

If you accidentally close your browser or refresh the page while a timer is running, the tool will try to detect this when you next open it. You'll be prompted to log the potentially elapsed time, adjust it, or discard it.

4. Viewing Reports (Reports Tab)

Select a period (Today, This Week, This Month, or a Custom Date Range) and click "Generate Report". You'll see:

• Total time logged for the period.
• A summary of time spent per project/task.
• A detailed chronological list of all individual time entries within that period.

5. Exporting Your Data

Use the "Download Report as PDF" button to save your time analysis for records, billing, or sharing.

Tips for Effective Time Logging:

• Log in Real-Time: Start the timer when you begin a task for maximum accuracy.
• Be Consistent: The more consistently you log, the more valuable your data.
• Use Projects/Categories: This helps in analyzing where your time is spent.
• Add Notes: Brief notes can provide context to your time entries later.
• Review Reports: Periodically check your reports to understand your work patterns and identify areas for improvement or better estimation.