Repeat shift is a useful scheduling tool if you're looking to replicate shifts on a consistent basis. You can do this for singular shifts, groups of shifts or shift templates.
In this article, we'll look into the following on repeating shifts in Schedule Xpress:
Repeating shifts
Add & Repeat
Apply Shift Template & Repeat
Repeat shift
The Repeat tool is used to make copies of one or more shifts across a specified period of time. To repeat a shift, you can either:
Right click on the shift and press Repeat
Checkmark a shift, then head to Shift Tools > Repeat shift.
Checkmark a range of shifts, and head to Shift Tools > Repeat shifts.
In the Add shift module, there's also the option at the bottom to Add & Repeat.
An alternate method of repeating shifts is to use shift templates.
When you select to Repeat shift, you'll be given the following options.
Paste copies
When pasting your repeated shifts, you have the option to past as:
With Employee - If you paste the copies With Employee, it means that all the new shifts created will remain with the same employee.
Set to Open - If you paste the copies with Set to Open, then all repeated shifts will display as Open shifts.
Note: If you're pressing Repeat shift on an Open shift, it will present as an Open shift using either option.
Repeat
Under Repeat inside the Repeat shift form, you're able to choose and customize 3 different options.
Same Day
You can use the Same Day option to repeat a shift one the same day at the same time. You can choose the number of times you want to repeat it. This is commonly used when multiple Open shifts are required.
Our example shows 6 Open shifts that we want to repeat 5 times in the given week.
The result is that we now have 7 shifts on each of the 6 days.
Every nth days
Every nth days allows you to repeat a shift by choosing a number of days and times to create a sequence in which a shift is replicated.
Our example shows that we want to repeat this shift Every 2 days, 3 times.
Note: To avoid repeating the shift you've chosen to paste copies of, ensure that you choose Start repeat on (see below) to reflect the first day you want the repeat shifts to begin. For example, if the shift you've chosen to repeat is Every 2 days, then you'll want to pick the start repeat on to be 2 days later than the date of the shift you're repeating.
On these days
On these days allows you to repeat a shift by choosing the specific days of the week you want this shift to be repeated on.
You need to ensure you choose your Start repeat on and End repeat on to reflect the dates period in which you want these repeats to paste into your schedule.
Note: If you want to repeat shifts in the date period you've chosen on the same day as the actual shift you're repeating, then ensure that you choose the Start repeat on to begin after the date of the shift you're using to create the copies.
Add & Repeat
When adding a shift through the Add shift form in your Shift Tools, you'll have the option to Add & Repeat.
This functionality is the same as Repeat shift function.
Apply Shift Template & Repeat
When applying a shift template, there is an option of Apply & Repeat. This option allows the User to repeat multiple shift templates.
You'll have the option to paste copies With Employee or Set to Open. You'll be able to Repeat the shifts in the shift template using Same Day and Every nth days
For more information on repeating shifts, please Contact Support now!