Creating time entries for your delegator is how you turn their tracked Work Activity into billable records in Laurel. You have several options for creating entries on their behalf, from using Laurel's AI-powered work Groups to building entries manually from scratch. This guide walks you through all available time entry creation methods so you can choose the approach that works best for managing your delegator's workflow.
What you'll need:
• Delegate permissions for your delegator's account in Laurel.
• Access to the Laurel Web App.
• Matter (project, initiative) codes and other billing information from your firm.
• Understanding of your delegator's work patterns and billing requirements.
Method 1: Create entries from predicted work Groups
This is the fastest method for creating time entries for your delegator.
Step 1: Find predicted work Groups
Go to the Groups tab in the Work Activity panel for your delegator's Timesheet. Look for work groups that show a matter (also called project or initiative) prediction - these appear as grouped activities with a suggested matter (project, initiative) based on your delegator's work.
Step 2: Create the entry instantly
Click the plus (+) icon next to the predicted matter (project, initiative). This immediately creates a new time entry using both the grouped activities and Laurel's matter (project, initiative) prediction for your delegator.
The more you use and release time entries for your delegator, the better this method becomes as Laurel's AI learns their work patterns and improves its predictions.
Method 2: Select activities from the Work Activity panel
Use this method when you want to manually select which work activities to include in an entry for your delegator.
Step 1: Choose your view
Open the Work Activity panel for your delegator and select either the Groups tab for AI-organized work Groups or the All tab for a chronological (or reverse chronological) list of their activities.
Step 2: Select your delegator's activities
Click to select one or more work Groups or individual Work Activities from your delegator's timeline. You can select multiple items by clicking their checkboxes or using Shift + click to select a range.
Step 3: Create the entry
After making your selections, click the "Create Entry" button that appears at the top of the Work Activity panel.
Method 3: Create manual entries
Use this method to build entries from scratch for your delegator without using tracked activities.
Step 1: Access manual creation
Click the "Create Entry" button at the top of your delegator's Timesheet panel.
Step 2: Build the entry
The Create Entry modal will open. You'll need to input all details for your delegator, including matter, duration, narrative (description), and billing codes based on their work.
Method 4: Use Recent and Starred Matters (projects, initiatives)
This method works well for matters (projects, initiatives) your delegator works on frequently.
Step 1: Find your delegator's matter (project, initiative) shortcuts
Look at the bottom of the Laurel Web App's left panel where your delegator's Recent Matters and Starred Matters (projects, initiatives) are listed.
Step 2: Create an entry for specific matter (project, initiative)
Click the plus (+) button next to any matter (project, initiative) in these lists. This opens the Create Entry modal with the selected matter already populated.
Method 5: Create entries from your delegator's timers
When your delegator uses Laurel's Timer feature, entries are automatically created on their Timesheet for you to manage.
Step 1: Access your delegator's Timer Board
Click the "Timers" button on the far left-hand side of the Laurel Web App to open your delegator's Timer Board.
Step 2: Monitor running timers
Any timers your delegator creates and starts will appear as draft entries on both their Timer Board and Timesheet for you to manage and finalize.
Method 6: Duplicate existing entries
Save time when creating similar entries for your delegator by copying existing ones. Please note: Duplication of released entries is not available at all firms.
Step 1: Navigate to the desired date on your delegator's Timesheet.
Using the date picker or the forward and back arrows in the Timesheet Header, navigate to the date of the entry or entries you wish to duplicate.
Step 2: Select the entry or entries you wish to duplicate.
Click the checkbox beside the time entry or entries you wish to duplicate. An Action Bar will appear at the top of the Timesheet panel.
Step 3: Click the "Duplicate" button.
With an entry or entries selected, click on the "Duplicate" button in the Action Bar that appears at the top of your delegator's Timesheet. The "Duplicate" button looks like two pieces of paper overlapping each other.
Step 4: Select Duplicate Dates.
After you've clicked "Duplicate," the Select Duplicate Dates modal will appear on your screen. Use the date picker to select one or more dates to which you'd like to assign a copy of the selected entry or entries. Use the forward and back arrows at the top of the modal to navigate to a different calendar month. After you've selected the desired date or dates, click the "Create X entries" button to finish.
Once you've followed the above steps to duplicate your delegator's time entry or entries, a copy of each entry will appear on the Timesheet for any dates you selected. Aside from the date, all entry details, including the matter (also called project or initiative), increment, narrative (also called description), and billing codes, will be identical to those on the original entry or entries.
Tip: Unreleased time entries can also be duplicated from the Edit Entry modal. Click on an unreleased entry to open it for editing, then click the "Save & Duplicate" button in the top left corner of the modal.
Complete your delegator's entry
Regardless of which creation method you use, you'll finish the process of preparing an entry for your delegator in the entry creation modal.
Step 1: Review pre-filled information
Check any suggestions Laurel has provided for matter (project, initiative), duration, description, and billing codes based on your delegator's work. Make sure everything looks accurate for their activities.
Step 2: Complete required fields
Fill in any missing required information such as billing codes, billing increments, descriptions, or other mandatory fields your organization requires for your delegator's entries.
Step 3: Save the entry
When everything looks correct, click "Save" to add the entry to your delegator's Timesheet.
Important considerations
Entry accuracy: Always review Laurel's AI suggestions before saving to ensure they accurately reflect your delegator's work.
Required fields: Entries cannot be saved with blank required fields. Look for warning indicators that show missing information on your delegator's entries.
Duplicate entry dates: Duplicated entries keep the original date unless you change it using the "Change Date" button.
Delegator context: When creating manual entries or editing descriptions, ensure the language and details accurately represent your delegator's work, not your own.
If you're having trouble
If the "Create Entry" button is not appearing in the Work Activity panel: Make sure you've selected activities in your delegator's Work Activity panel first.
If you're getting an error related to required fields: Check that all mandatory fields are completed before saving your delegator's entry.
If you have the wrong date on a duplicated entry: Use the "Change Date" button in the entry creation modal.
If you don't have any matter/project/initiative predictions in your delegator's work Groups: Try manual methods while Laurel's AI model learns your delegator's work patterns - predictions improve with use.
What happens next
Your delegator's new time entry will appear on their Timesheet where you can edit it as needed. When you're satisfied that the entry is accurate and complete, you can release it to your firm's PMS on your delegator's behalf.