Once your company is set to “Task tracker” mode, you can start tracking time from the Tracker screen. Here are the steps.
Before You Start Tracking Time
First, make sure your company uses Task tracker mode. Admins can check this in how to switch between Clock in/Clock out and Task tracker mode. Also, keep in mind that every entry needs a project. If a project is missing from your list, see why you can’t find a certain project.
Step 1: Open the Tracker
In the left-hand menu, expand “Time” and click “Tracker” (or click the “Start time!” button under “+ Add new”). This opens the “Time tracker” page with a text field, dropdowns, a running clock, and a “Start timer” button.
Step 2: Describe what you’re working on (optional)
In the “What are you working on?” field, you can type a short description of the work you’re about to log.
Step 3: Select a project
Click the “Select project” dropdown and choose the relevant project from the list (you can also use the search box to find it quickly). This step is mandatory: a time entry cannot be saved without a selected project, so the timer setup is incomplete until a project is chosen.
Step 4: Select a task
Once a project is chosen, the “Select task” dropdown becomes active. Pick an existing task tied to that project, or click “Add task” if the task you need doesn’t exist yet. Whether a task is required depends on the project. If the project has “Allow direct time log” turned on, you can log time without picking a task. If it is off, you need to select a task. A project is always required.
Step 5: Start Tracking Time With the Timer
Click the green “Start timer” button. The clock will begin counting up in real time (hh:mm:ss), and the entry will appear in your tracking history for that day once you stop it.
Step 6: Stop tracking
When you’re done, click the same button (now showing a stop icon) to end the timer. The completed entry, with its project, task, description, and duration, will be saved to your History list below.
Remember: no matter how you start the process, Day Off will block saving the entry until a project has been selected, so make that your first choice before starting the timer.
Why Start Tracking Time on Tasks?
Logging time against tasks gives you a clear picture of where your day goes. As a result, it becomes easier to plan work, spot tasks that take longer than expected, and share accurate numbers with your manager. It works much like a digital timesheet, but with far less manual effort.
For the best results, start the timer as soon as you begin a task. In addition, add a short description so your entries are easy to recognize later. When you finish, learn more about how to stop the timer.