You can create a recurring schedule template quickly by copying an existing template and then editing the copy and saving it with a new name. Copying is particularly useful if you want to create a new recurring schedule template that has a pattern that is similar to that of an existing template. Creating new templates by copying, rather than by using the Add New button, can save time and increase accuracy.

To create a new recurring schedule template by copying an existing template:

4        Click the Home tab.

5        Under the Home tab, click the Recurring Schedules link. The Recurring Schedules page opens and displays the name and description of each recurring schedule template that has been defined for your company.

Note: The list of recurring schedule templates does not display schedules that have been hidden. To display hidden schedule, select Include Hidden Recurring Schedules. The Hidden column will display with check marks for those schedules that have been hidden. Any schedule that appears in the list, including those marked as Hidden, can be assigned to employees.

6        In the row that contains the recurring schedule template you want to copy, click the button. A Recurring Schedule page opens that contains a copy of the properties and scheduled time pairs defined in the original recurring schedule template.

Tips:
You can use the Search Options tools at the top of the Recurring Schedules page to search for the name or the description of the template you want to copy.

If you cannot tell from the recurring schedule name and description on the Recurring Schedules page which recurring schedule template you want to copy, click a template name to see more detail. The Recurring Schedule page opens and displays all of the schedule settings for the recurring schedule you selected. When you find the template you want to copy, click the Copy button on the Recurring Schedule page.

7        In the Recurring Schedule field, delete the name of the copied recurring schedule template and enter a name for the new template you are creating. This name must be distinct from all existing recurring schedule names. It can be up to 25 characters in length.

8        In the Description field, edit or replace the copied description.

Note:
The text entered in the Description field will be displayed in the Recurring Schedule Lookup window and can help administrators and supervisors determine which template to select when assigning schedules.

A description must be present in the text box marked with a red triangle ( ). If your company supports more than one language, edit the descriptions in the text box for each language.

8        If you want to change the start date for the new template, click the button in the Start Date field and select the earliest date on which you want the template to be applied to employee schedules.

Note: The Start Date limits which dates on an employee's schedule the template can be applied to. It does not restrict when administrators and supervisors can view or assign the recurring schedule. Administrators and supervisors can view and assign a recurring schedule any time after its template has been created. For example, if the Start Date defined for a recurring schedule template is July 6, 2008, an administrator or supervisor can only assign an employee to begin working that schedule on or after July 6, 2008. The administrator or supervisor can record the recurring schedule assignment at any time (even before July 6, 2008), but the schedule cannot be applied to any dates before July 6, 2008, on the employee's schedule.

9        If you want to delete one or more of the rows copied from the original recurring schedule template, select the check box in the Delete column for each row you want to delete.

10    Edit the rows copied from the original template and/or add new rows as necessary. For information about the fields in each row and how to define different types of schedules, see Creating a New Recurring Schedule Template.

11    After you have entered all of your edits for the recurring schedule, click the Submit button.

The Recurring Schedules page opens with the new template displayed in the list of recurring schedules. The new template can now be used by any administrator or supervisor. For instructions, see Assigning Recurring Schedules to Employees.

Note: Only rows that have been assigned a valid week number will be saved in the template. If you do not use all of the blank rows available, the unused rows will be discarded when you click the Submit button.