A timesheet and working time record as an Excel template or a printable PDF
Timesheet, hours record, working time record: the same document. Daily target, breaks and overtime calculated automatically, one table per month. As Excel for the calculation, as PDF for printing.
- No sign-up
- No newsletter
- Free to use
What is in the template?
Ready to use, with formulas, sample data and a legend.
- Prepared monthly sheets for the whole of 2026
- Automatic calculation of daily working time minus breaks
- Target-actual comparison per day and month
- Overtime balance at the end of the month
- Fields for employee, period and cost centre
When does the template fit?
Ideal as an interim solution or for small teams, with clear limits.
- Individuals or small teams without time tracking software
- An interim solution before MetronHR is introduced
- External staff or subcontractors without system access
Excel works until the team gets bigger
For one person a timesheet is enough. As soon as several employees work together, holiday has to be checked, break rules under the Working Time Act observed and overtime paid out, Excel becomes a source of errors. MetronHR turns the timesheet into a stopwatch, checks breaks automatically and delivers reports for payroll at the press of a button.
| Excel template | MetronHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Upkeep | Manual upkeep | Automatic calculations |
| Approvals | No workflows | Approval workflow |
| Reminders | No reminders | Reminders |
| Team | Copy again for every employee | One central source for the whole team |
Frequently asked questions
Answers on usage and legal aspects.
Question not answered here? Every step is explained in the help centre.
Send us a messageIs the timesheet template really free?
Yes. You download the Excel file directly, with no email required, no sign-up and no newsletter. You may use and adapt the template freely internally.
Does the timesheet meet the statutory recording duty?
The template covers the typical fields (date, start, end, break, activity) expected for a record under the Federal Labour Court ruling (1 ABR 22/21). What is binding, though, is that the record is systematic, tamper-proof and complete, and Excel does not deliver that reliably in a team. MetronHR records times directly on the device, documents changes and exports in line with the Working Time Act.
How long do I have to keep timesheets?
Working time records are usually kept for at least 2 years (section 16(2) ArbZG); payroll-relevant documents for 6 years, and up to 10 years for tax purposes. In the Professional plan, MetronHR keeps a GoBD-compliant change history of time entries.
Is the timesheet also available as a printable PDF?
Yes, both formats are ready: Excel (XLSX) with built-in formulas for digital upkeep and PDF for printing, one page per month, with weekends and public holidays marked in colour. Both without sign-up.
Is a timesheet the same as a working time record?
Yes. Timesheet, hours record and working time record all mean the same document: the record of the start, end and breaks of daily working time. You can use this template for all three purposes; for the recording duty what counts is the content, not the name.
Templates are a start. MetronHR is the answer.
When Excel reaches its limits in a team, MetronHR takes over the process. Try it free for 14 days.
- No credit card required
- Ready quickly
- Cancel monthly
- Full access to every feature
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