If you’ve got your manual timekeeping style nailed, you might be wondering how that works alongside Laurel's automation. Reference Mode is a setting to support timekeepers who prefer to use timers or manual entries to account for the majority of their work.
In Reference Mode, you can ‘reference’ activities collected by Laurel on your Timeline to recall your day and use them to create entries in Timesheet for work you may have forgotten.
How Reference Mode Works
By default, Laurel collects your billable work and generates a review-ready Timesheet with your activities organized by initiative. In Reference Mode, however, your Timesheet will be focused on entries you create yourself (manual entries and timers).
Switching to Reference Mode
You can switch into Reference Mode at any time by following these steps:
Go to your User Settings by clicking on your initials in the bottom left of your screen
Navigate to the Laurel Settings tab
Next to "Timekeeping Style," switch on the toggle for Reference Mode
Click 'Save' in the top right
You will get a notification confirming your settings were changed, and the following symbol will appear on the left-hand side of your navigation bar.
Making the Most of Reference Mode
Optimize your workflow based on your preferred style of timekeeping.
Workflow for Manual Timekeepers
Adjust the minimum activity filter in Laurel Settings to your desired level. This allows you to see the work that matters based on size
Create manual entries on Timesheet using the History panel content as reference material
Release your time on Timesheet
Workflow for Timer Users
Create timers each day as needed, and start/stop them as you work
If you'd like, reference your Timeline to find any activities you may have missed
Release your time on Timesheet, where only your timer entries will appear
For more information on using timers, click here.