The spreadsheet still has a place.
Keep a familiar workbook in the workflow. Bring structured hours into review and take checked work back out as Excel.
| employeeName | employeeCode | date | start | end | breakMinutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Example | 0017 | 2026-10-05 | 07:00 | 15:30 | 30 |
| Taylor Example | 0024 | 2026-10-05 | 08:00 | 16:30 | 30 |
Example data only. This illustrates structured input, not a universal payroll export template.
For teams who work in spreadsheets.
A weekly workbook
Bring an XLSX sheet with recognised headers into timepilot. Keep employee codes, work dates, start and finish times and breaks together. Unmatched people and invalid values still need review.
A reviewed hand-off
Export eligible work as XLSX for the next person or system in your payroll process. Check the recipient’s required columns and layout before using the file; an Excel export is not automatic payroll entry.
Make the workbook ready for review.
- Use .xlsx. Convert older .xls files before importing.
- Structured imports use headers such as employeeName, employeeCode, date, start, end and breakMinutes. A custom layout needs the appropriate mapping before import.
- Use YYYY-MM-DD dates and 24-hour HH:MM text times. Supported typed Excel date and time cells are also normalised.
- Replace formula, linked, rich-text and error cells with plain values. A cached formula result is not treated as trusted input.
- Check missing values and Employee matches before approval. Availability of AI workbook mapping depends on the capabilities enabled for your Company.
The format changes. The review stays.
- Bring the source
Import supported records and keep the original values available for comparison.
- Resolve and approve
Match Employees, correct exceptions and record the approval your Company requires.
- Export eligible work
Choose the file format and check it against the receiving system before completing the hand-off.
Excel questions, answered.
Can I upload any workbook layout?
The structured path expects recognised headers and values. A differently arranged workbook needs mapping; do not assume arbitrary tabs, merged layouts or payroll templates will import unchanged.
Can formulas stay in the timesheet?
Convert formula and linked cells to plain values in the copy you import. timepilot does not rely on cached formula results.
Does the XLSX export finish payroll?
No. It contains reviewed, eligible work. Your team still checks the destination’s format, completes the hand-off and finalises payroll in its own system.
Need another integration?
Tell us what you use and how you’d like it to work with timepilot. We’ll see whether we can build a connection for you.