Kick-start your next employee schedule with a free downloadable Excel template.

Create printable employee schedules, track employee hours and automate payroll in Excel.
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Laptop with a free Excel employee schedule template

Getting started

Once you've downloaded your template, save it on your computer somewhere safe and then open the file. Once the file is open you will need to click "Enable Editing" and "Enable Content" as each prompt is displayed at the top of the document. You will need to enable editing if you want to be able to make changes, and you will need to enable content if you want the totals to calculate.

Enabling macros in Excel

Adding employees

If you've already started on a template and run out of space for your employees you can always add new rows. As there are formulas in the "Hours" and "Pay" columns it's best to select the row of an existing employee, right click and select "Copy", then select the row where you'd like the new employee, right click it and select "Insert Copied Cells".

Adding staff to your schedule template

Scheduling software for everyone.

FiremanEmergency workers & first responders Delivery ManShipping & transportation Park RangerCharities, non-profits & volunteers Call AgentCall centres & support employees ChefBars, restaurants & cafes HandymanProfessional services Female DoctorHospitals, medical & care providers Fitness InstructorGyms & fitness centres StudentSchools & universities Retail WorkerRetail stores & supermarkets PolicemanSecurity services & law enforcement WaiterHospitality, hotels & events Cinema WorkerCinemas, theatres & live events
More industries

Entering shifts

For Excel to interpret shifts and calculate your totals correctly the shifts must be entered in a clear and consistent format, e.g. "9am-5pm" or "9:00-17:00". Shifts that cannot be interpreted will be ignored when totalling hours and pay. When employees are working two or more shifts per day you can split the shifts with a slash "/", or a new line by pressing ALT + ENTER.

Adding shifts to your employee schedule

Unpaid breaks

To deduct an unpaid break from an employee's hours and/or pay, you'll need to add an entry like you would add a shift (separated with a new line or a slash) in the format "1 hour break" or "30 minute break". You're free to enter any amount of time you like too, as long as you end the entry with the word "break".

Adding unpaid breaks to your employee schedule

Looking for a little more power?

Create your employee schedule for just $25 per month. Our site provides all of the functionality found in the template, bundled together with time off requests, text & email alerts, real-time reporting, overtime rates, day rates, salaries, shift reminders, payroll exports, timesheets, time-clocking and 24/7 online access for managers and employees.

Play with our demo or Create an employee schedule