Is there a free sign-in sheet template?

Yes — this free shift sign-in sheet downloads instantly with no signup or email required, and you can edit it to suit your workplace. Browse the rest of our free time & attendance templates if you need a different layout.

How do I create a staff sign-in sheet in Excel?

Add your company name, date and location at the top, then build a table with clear headers: Employee name, Date, Start time, Finish time, Signature and Notes. Widen the signature and notes columns for handwriting and leave 15–20 blank rows before printing. Our free template comes pre-built with this layout, or follow the step-by-step section above. For an accurate hours record, see our guide to tracking employee hours.

How do I create a sign-in sheet in Word?

In Word, insert a 5–6 column table, label the columns (Name, Time in, Time out, Department, Signature), then format the column widths and leave blank rows for handwriting. Excel and Google Sheets are usually easier because you can resize, total and reuse the layout — this template works in both.

Does Excel have an employee schedule template?

Excel ships with a few generic schedule templates, but they are built for US workweeks and rarely match Australian shifts or roles. This sign-in sheet is purpose-built for recording who arrives and leaves, and it works in both Excel and Google Sheets. For scheduling who works when, use a rostering tool instead.

Is this template printable?

Yes — it is designed for printing. Print it out and have staff sign in and out by hand with their signatures, or use it digitally in Excel. For a paperless alternative, see how to implement digital clock-in.

Why include a signature column?

Signatures verify that employees recorded their own times, creating accountability and a record you can reference in a dispute about hours worked. Learn more about keeping attendance evidence that stands up to Fair Work.

Can I use this for multiple shifts per day?

Yes — add a new row for each shift. One employee can have multiple rows if they work split shifts or sign in across several days.

How should I store completed sign-in sheets?

Keep completed sheets filed by date for at least 7 years to meet Australian record-keeping requirements, and consider scanning them for a digital backup. A kiosk time clock captures the same data digitally so there is nothing to file by hand.

FREE TEMPLATE Last updated 26 June 2026

Free shift sign-in sheet template (Excel)

A printable sign-in and sign-out sheet with space for employee signatures. Perfect for businesses that need a simple, paper-based way to record when staff arrive and leave. Print it, post it, and collect signatures.

Shift sign-in sheet

Excel format (.xlsx) • Ready to download

Name, date, start and finish columns

Signature column for verification

Print-ready layout

Notes column for manager comments

No signup required. Works with Excel and Google Sheets.

This shift sign-in sheet is a general record-keeping tool only. It does not calculate wages, penalties, overtime or award entitlements. Verify pay with dedicated payroll software and check your obligations with Fair Work. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.

References HR Hub disclaimer Modern Awards Fair Work

What's in this template

A simple printable sign-in layout

Employee name

Full name of each staff member signing in for the shift.

Date

The date of the shift so each entry is tied to the right day.

Start time

Clock-in time recorded and signed by the employee on arrival.

Finish time

Clock-out time recorded and signed by the employee when they leave.

Signature

Employee signature or initials to verify they recorded their own times.

Notes

Space for manager notes, late starts or shift comments.

How sign-in works

Post the printed sheet near the entrance or break room. On arrival, staff write their name, the date and their start time, then sign. At the end of the shift, they add their finish time and sign again — giving you a verified record of hours worked for every person on shift.

Employee	Date	Start	Finish	Signature	Notes
Sarah Jones	20/01	9:00am	5:30pm	SJ	-
James Smith	20/01	2:00pm	10:00pm	JS	Late start - traffic

How to create a staff sign-in sheet in Excel

Four steps to build one from scratch

1. Add the header

Put your company name, the date and the location at the top of the sheet so every printed page is clearly labelled.

2. Insert the columns

Create a table with clear headers across row 1: Employee name, Date, Start time, Finish time, Signature and Notes.

3. Size and add rows

Widen the signature and notes columns for handwriting, then leave 15–20 blank rows so a full shift can sign in.

4. Print and post

Print the sheet and pin it near the entrance or break room so staff can sign in and out by hand.

Prefer to skip the setup? The free template above already has the headers, column widths and print layout built in. When you are ready to ditch paper, read our guide to implementing digital clock-in.

How to use this template

Download and go in four quick steps

Download & print

Grab the Excel file — no signup — and print it, or use it digitally.

Post at the workplace

Pin it near the entrance or break room where staff arrive.

Staff sign in and out

Employees write their start and finish times and add a signature.

Collect and file

Store completed sheets by date for payroll and record-keeping.

Who uses this template

Ideal for businesses that need paper-based time tracking

Cafes & restaurants

Staff sign in and out at the counter

Retail stores

Track arrivals and departures on the floor

Events & venues

Sign-in sheets for casual event staff

Construction sites

Record who is on site each day

A signed sheet is good evidence, but it still has to be re-keyed for payroll. See how a live attendance feed and payroll integration remove that step entirely.

When paper stops keeping up

Paper sign-in sheets work for small teams. But as you grow, deciphering handwriting, chasing missing signatures and re-keying times into payroll becomes painful. RosterElf's time & attendance software lets staff clock in from a kiosk or phone with photo and GPS verification — then sends accurate hours straight to payroll.

Start free trial See time & attendance software

Time & attendance guides

Capture accurate hours with these how-to guides

Related templates

Explore more free time & attendance templates

FAQ

Shift sign-in sheet FAQ

Yes — this free shift sign-in sheet downloads instantly with no signup or email required, and you can edit it to suit your workplace. Browse the rest of our free time & attendance templates if you need a different layout.
Add your company name, date and location at the top, then build a table with clear headers: Employee name, Date, Start time, Finish time, Signature and Notes. Widen the signature and notes columns for handwriting and leave 15–20 blank rows before printing. Our free template comes pre-built with this layout, or follow the step-by-step section above. For an accurate hours record, see our guide to tracking employee hours.
In Word, insert a 5–6 column table, label the columns (Name, Time in, Time out, Department, Signature), then format the column widths and leave blank rows for handwriting. Excel and Google Sheets are usually easier because you can resize, total and reuse the layout — this template works in both.
Excel ships with a few generic schedule templates, but they are built for US workweeks and rarely match Australian shifts or roles. This sign-in sheet is purpose-built for recording who arrives and leaves, and it works in both Excel and Google Sheets. For scheduling who works when, use a rostering tool instead.

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