How to track time

Overview

This page provides quick and easy instructions for using the MinuteDock timer. It also covers tracking time for other users and editing already logged time entries.

Starting and Pausing the Timer

You can use the live timer to count towards a time entry as you are working - start the timer, do your work, then log the time entry when you are finished for a highly accurate accounting of your time.

  • Start the Timer: Hover over the gray clock icon on the timer at the top of your page.
  • Pause the Timer: Click the timer again to pause it.

Editing the Timer

Adjust the current time accrued on your active time entry - useful for if you forget to start a new time entry and need to add on that extra 10 minutes!

  • Edit Time Displayed: Hover over the clock and double-click to access the clock text box. Edit the hours and minutes directly.
  • Use text shortcuts: Type shorthand into the textbox like “20 mins” or “1.5 hrs” and press TAB to apply time to the clock

Assigning Entries

Organise your time entries by categorising them with Contact/Project/Task assignments, both for reporting against categorisations and billing by varying charge rates.

Assign to Client:

A contact in MinuteDock is the entity which you will create invoices against.

  1. Access the textbox.
  2. Use the @ symbol followed by your client’s short code (e.g., @minutedock).
  3. Press the SPACEBAR to assign the client to the entry.
  4. OR: Use the @ symbol to open dropdown menu. Click on a contact in the dropdown list to apply.
  5. Type some of the contact short code to narrow search of dropdown menu.

Assign to Project/Task:

  1. Access the textbox.
  2. Use the # symbol followed by the project or task short code (e.g., #admin).
  3. Press the SPACEBAR to assign the project or task to the entry.
  4. OR: use the # symbol to open dropdown menu. Click on a project/task in the dropdown list to apply.
  5. Type some of the project/task short code to narrow search of dropdown menu.
  • Multiple Tasks: You can assign multiple task labels to a single time entry.

Adding Notes

In addition to assigning categorisations, you can add detail about the work being done, or even note the time of day the work is being recorded.

  • Use the textbox to type any additional notes for your time entry alongside your categorisations. These notes can later be added to invoice line descriptions if needed.

Category Differentiation:

When your categorisations are applied correctly, they will display differently on the timer/textbox. The following displays let you know a category has been applied correctly:

  • Contact/Project labels appear in a highlighted box within the timer/textbox.
  • Task labels appear as a tab above the timer/textbox.
  • Notes appear as plain text within the textbox.

Logging Time Entries

When finished with the active time entry and wanting to enter it to your timesheet, or begin a fresh new time entry, you can log the time entry.

  • Click the 'LOG' button to the right of the timer or press the ENTER key.
  • Log entries after assigning time/contacts/projects/tasks/notes

Viewing/Editing Time Entries

Even after a time entry is logged, you can still edit it to adjust categorisations/notation/time amounts.

  • View Entries: Check your time entries under the 'Time' tab or in the 'Reports' section in MinuteDock.
  • Run a report against a time period and view ‘time entries’ instead of ‘charts’ to see a full list.
  • Edit Time Entries: Click on a time entry under the Time or Reports pages to open editing.
  • Edit notes/time amount/contact assignment/Project or Task labels, or use the calendar to change the date for the time entry
  • Click the green tick icon to save changes

Backdate Time Entries

You can assign time to previous dates - useful if you have time from an earlier day which you forgot to log!

  • Retroactive Tracking: Type date information in brackets like “(12/3/24)” or “(yesterday)” or “(last Wednesday)”. Press TAB to apply date change

Tracking Time for Another User

With the requisite permissions, you can log time on behalf of another user, adding the time entry to their timesheet rather than your own.

  • Admin Privileges Required:
  1. Click on ‘my time’ under the time tab.
  2. Select the user you want to track time for.
  3. Click +New by the day heading
  4. Fill time entry details (Contact/Notes/Time amount)
  5. Click tick icon to save change

Mobile App

MinuteDock's mobile app allows tracking time on the go - admin/invoicing still needs to be done via the web app.

  • Track on the Go: Download the MinuteDock app for iPhone and Android devices.
  • Invoicing/account management done only from web app.
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