Logging time in BigTime is easy, and there are several ways to do it.
This overview article will explain how to access your timesheet. Then, we’ll provide brief explanations for the multiple ways to enter time using:
- Timesheets, either in a daily or weekly view,
- Timers, or
- Mobile phone.
We’ll direct you to specific articles on each topic.
Access Timesheets
It’s easy to find your timesheets in BigTime. Click TIME/EXPENSE...TIMESHEETS from the navigation bar.
Now that you’re at your timesheet, let’s enter some time!
Enter Time in Bigtime
There are several ways to enter time in BigTime, and we’ll explain each option.
Weekly vs. Daily Timesheet
After you access your timesheet, as explained above, you can enter time in either a daily or weekly view.
The weekly timesheet view is the most common way to enter time. It's a convenient way for staffers to see how much time they’re logging over the course of their week.
Find out more about using the weekly view to enter time.
Daily timesheets are an alternative way to enter time. In this view, you enter time one day at a time.
In the image below, our timesheet is set to 11/1. On the gray bar in left-side of the window, you can see the hours we’re accumulating labeled TOTAL HOURS. We have tracked seven hours so far. On the right-side, we’re adding details for another time entry that’ll be added to 11/1.
Note: You can toggle between dates. For example, today is 11/1, but we can click on “Tue 10/31” (on the red bar on the left-side of the window) to review and edit unsubmitted time entries on that date.
Find out more about using the daily view to enter time.
Timers
Timers in BigTime help you track time in real-time for specific projects or tasks. Think of timers as a digital stopwatch that you can start, pause, and restart throughout your day to track the total time worked.
Here’s how timers work:
- Start Tracking Time: Start a timer and assign it to a specific project or task. You can log time minute-by-minute and second-by-second, even if you're not logged into BigTime. Your timer will continue running even if you step away or shut down your device.
- Switch Between Timers: If you're working on multiple tasks or projects, you can pause one-timer and start a new one. BigTime ensures you can only have one active timer to maintain accurate records.
- Save Your Timer to a Timesheet: Once you're done, save the timer as a time entry to your timesheet. You can either save updates to the timer without posting it to the timesheet or save it directly to your timesheet for submission.
- Edit or Delete Timers: Adjust details or delete timers before saving them to your timesheet. Deleting a timer from the list won’t affect time entries already posted to your timesheet.
Timers also handle edge cases:
- If a timer runs past midnight, BigTime will stop the current timer and automatically start a new one for the next day, ensuring time is accurately tracked by day.
- A pulsing activity indicator on the timer icon shows when a timer is actively running, giving you a quick view of the time logged.
Using timers in BigTime provides a flexible and accurate way to log your work hours, whether you’re tracking real-time activity or organizing your timesheet entries.
Learn more about timers:
Interactive Tutorial: Entering Time with New Timers in BigTime
Using Legacy Timers in BigTime
Mobile Phone
Did you know you can track time right from the mobile app?
To get started with the mobile app, search for "BigTime Mobile" in the Google Play or Apple App Store. You'll be prompted to log in once you download and open the app. Your login credentials on mobile will be the same ones you use to access BigTime on desktop.
Customize Your Timesheet
Make your timesheet meaningful to you, and customize it!
Every time entry in the system requires a staffer, a project, and a date. However, there are additional fields you can add. Learn more about customizing your timesheet.
Now that you know how to add time to your timesheet, don’t forget to submit it!