Can't find an answer? Contact support.
Help & Support - The one place for all your questions about Harvest.

Timesheets, Expenses, and Approval

What is the Harvest Timer? #

Under the Daily timesheet (Timesheets > Daily), every entry has a Harvest Timer timer that is clickable to start and stop the timer for that task. You can easily jump from one task to another by clicking the timer on the new task to automatically stop the previous timer and start the new timer. You will need to add at least one task to be able to see the Harvest Timer.

How do I change my password? #

You can change your password by clicking on your name on the upper-right corner. You should see your profile, and just type in the new passwords, then save.

How do I track time off, vacation, sick days, or overtime? #

We recommend creating those items as tasks, and have your staff record time to those tasks.

What is the difference between "Save" and "Submit for Approval"? #

“Save” stores all user input on the server. “Submit” will send time approvers and admins a notification that a timesheet is ready for approval. The timesheet is still editable until it is approved by a time approver or admin.

What is the difference between the weekly time entry and daily time entry? #

Weekly time entry allows you to enter your time in a standard 7-days-a-week format. This view is often good for entering time for the week without a need to capture details. The daily entry view is good for users who’d like to enter more details throughout the day. The daily entry allows for notes to be attached to time durations and also provides a timer to allow users to track their time throughout the day.

How do I see my time in minutes format (versus decimal)? #

You can change the format of how your hours appear on your timesheets:

  1. Go to Manage > Account Settings.
  2. Under the section Preferences click on the button Edit preferences.
  3. On the preference configuration form, you’ll see the option for Time format.
  4. Choose from the options, save changes.

Note that Harvest will only show you time in HH:MM (e.g. “8:12”) on the timesheets, and not on reports.

As an administrator, how do I edit another user’s time? #
Here’s how you may edit another user’s time:
  1. Browse to Timesheets > Time.
  2. Click on Admin: See timesheet for another user in the upper-right of your timesheet.
  3. Select a user.
  4. Edit time as if it were your own.

If you ever need to edit expenses, the process is essentially the same. Just start at Timesheets > Expenses.

My widget is not working! Help! #

A few things to make sure before you panic:

  • The widget only works if you’re on trial plan, or if you are on a paying plan. (Harvest Widget will not work if you’re on the free plan.)
  • Make sure your timesheet is not approved/locked. Log into your account in a web browser, and click on Timesheets. See if your timesheet is locked (to unlock it, you need to have an administrator on your account to unlock for you).
  • If you’re using Yahoo! Widgets, check your Harvest widget preference and the “https” option. If you’re on a Business Plan, you need to check the ‘https’ option. If you’re not on the Business Plan, make sure the “https” option is not selected.
What does 'submit for approval' mean? #

When a timesheet is submitted for approval, it is viewable by administrators and project managers on the Timesheets > Pending approval screen.

By default, when a timesheet is submitted, an email is sent to both administrators and project managers. Note this email notification can be shut off account-wide (via Manage > Account Settings) as well as by individuals who don’t want to receive email notifications (Manage > People).

If approval is not part of your process and you don’t need it, it can be turned off under Manage > Account Settings.

What is the approval process? #

The approval process allows you to review and approve employee and contractor hours. After you approve someone’s time, the timesheet will be locked and not editable. This process is best done weekly to ensure that the hours being reported are aligned to expectations. You can access hours that need to be approved by clicking on the “Timesheets” tab and the “Pending approval” link. This will show you all the timesheets that have been submitted and is pending your (or a Project Manager’s) approval.

How do I stop receiving approval notifications? #

Go to your profile (by clicking on your name in the top-right corner). Towards the bottom of the form, you’ll see the option Receive alerts when people submit timesheets. Un-check that option, and you will not get any more email notifications when people submit timesheets.

If you do not see that option, it means that you do not have administrator or project manager permissions, and you should not be receiving approval notifications at all. Make sure those approval emails are sending to the same email that is showing up in your profile.

We don't need to approve timesheets. How do I turn off approval altogether? #
  1. Go to Manage > Account Settings.
  2. Click on button Edit preferences.
  3. On the following page, look for Timesheet approval and click on the option Hide.
  4. Save your changes.

Note that only Basic and Business plans have the approval feature.

Return to main help page or