How to Build a Timesheets App from Google Sheets with Adalo

Tracking employee hours through Google Sheets works until your team needs to log time from a construction site, a client meeting, or anywhere beyond their laptop. Building a custom timesheet app traditionally requires developers, months of work, and separate codebases for web, iOS, and Android—a significant investment just to solve what seems like a simple mobile access problem.

SheetBridge and Adalo eliminate that complexity by turning your existing spreadsheet into a fully functional app. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months.

Why Adalo Works for Building a Timesheets App

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This makes it the perfect solution for transforming your Google Sheets timesheet data into a professional mobile app that field workers, contractors, and remote employees can access from anywhere.

Publishing your timesheets app to the app stores means your team can download it directly to their devices, receive push notifications for timesheet reminders, and log hours even when they're away from a desktop computer. Instead of emailing spreadsheet links or wrestling with mobile browser limitations, employees get a native experience that encourages consistent time tracking and reduces administrative follow-up.

Your team still enters hours manually into Google Sheets cells while competitors track time from mobile devices at job sites. With the gap between spreadsheet-based workflows and purpose-built applications growing wider every month, using SheetBridge you can transform your existing timesheet spreadsheet into a fully functional mobile and web app in under a day. Adalo's agnostic builder lets you publish the same app to the web, native iOS, and native Android, all without writing a line of code or rebuilding. If your plan is mass distribution through the app stores vast marketplaces, then this is a great option.

Key Takeaways

• Build a complete timesheet app from your Google Sheets data in 2-4 hours without writing code
• SheetBridge enables 30-minute Google Sheets connection with automatic schema detection and real-time sync
• Organizations achieve fewer data entry mistakes (40-60% reduction) through mobile validation versus manual spreadsheet entry
• Teams save significant time by eliminating desktop-only spreadsheet access
• Publish native iOS and Android apps with GPS location capture and photo documentation; offline-first workflows typically require custom local storage + sync implementation

Why Choose Google Sheets for Your Timesheets App Data?

Google Sheets already powers countless business operations because it's accessible, collaborative, and free. Your existing timesheet data lives there, formatted in rows and columns that track employee hours, projects, and dates. The challenge isn't the data—it's the interface.

Limitations of Spreadsheet-Only Workflows

Spreadsheets create friction for time tracking that mobile apps eliminate:

• Tiny cells make data entry painful on phones and tablets
• No offline access when employees work at remote job sites
• Manual calculations prone to formula errors
• No GPS verification for clock-in/out locations
• Photo documentation requires separate systems
• Real-time visibility requires constant refreshing

When field workers call the office to report hours, someone must transcribe that data into the spreadsheet. This creates administrative burden and introduces errors at every handoff point.

The Case for Keeping Google Sheets as Your Backend

Abandoning Google Sheets entirely means losing familiar tools and rebuilding workflows from scratch. The smarter approach: keep your spreadsheet as the data source while adding a mobile-friendly interface on top.

Google Sheets handles 10 million cells with real-time collaboration features your team already knows. Rather than migrate data, connect it to a proper application layer that makes entry and viewing effortless across devices.

Setting Up Your Employee Timesheet Template in Google Sheets

Your spreadsheet structure determines how smoothly the app connection works. Before connecting to Adalo, prepare your data foundation properly.

Essential Columns for Time Tracking

A functional timesheet requires these core columns:

• Order_ID: Unique identifier for each entry (use ARRAYFORMULA to auto-generate)
• Employee_Name: Text field for the worker's name
• Date: Formatted as YYYY-MM-DD for consistent parsing
• Start_Time: Time value (not text) for clock-in
• End_Time: Time value for clock-out
• Hours_Worked: Calculated field or manual entry
• Project_Name: Text or dropdown selection
• Notes: Free-form text for additional context

Use underscores instead of spaces in column headers. This prevents parsing errors during the connection process.

Data Formatting Best Practices

Clean data imports cleanly. Follow these rules:

• Remove all merged cells (Select All → Format → Merge Cells → Unmerge)
• Ensure no empty rows between data entries
• Use consistent date formats throughout (YYYY-MM-DD works best)
• Keep one data type per column—don't mix dates with text
• Place headers in Row 1 only

For best performance beyond 100,000 rows, archive old entries to a separate sheet before building the app.

Introducing Adalo: Your Go-To No-Code App Builder for Timesheets

Adalo transforms how businesses approach application development. Instead of hiring developers or learning to code, you visually assemble screens and components using drag-and-drop tools.

Why No-Code Matters for Business Apps

Traditional timesheet app development costs $40,000-60,000 in the first year plus ongoing maintenance. No-code platforms deliver 90% faster development cycles, turning months of coding into weeks of visual building.

The productivity gains compound: organizations report 10x faster application delivery compared to traditional coding. For timesheet apps specifically, this means deploying a working solution before the next payroll cycle rather than next quarter.

What Makes Adalo Different

Unlike web-only builders that create glorified spreadsheet views, Adalo produces true native iOS and Android apps with:

• Camera access for photo documentation
• GPS location capture for job site verification
• Push notifications for timesheet reminders
• Native performance without web wrapper limitations

The platform maintains 99% app uptime, ensuring your timesheet tracking stays operational when payroll deadlines arrive.

Connecting Your Google Sheet Data to Adalo

The connection process requires minimal technical knowledge. SheetBridge handles the complexity automatically.

Creating the Connection with SheetBridge

SheetBridge provides the fastest path from spreadsheet to app:

1. Navigate to sheetbridge.adalo.com
2. Authenticate with your Google account
3. Select your timesheet spreadsheet
4. Review the auto-detected schema (Employee_Name as text, Date as date, etc.)
5. Complete the import

The entire process takes 30 minutes for straightforward timesheets. SheetBridge automatically detects column data types and creates corresponding Adalo Collections.

Understanding Real-Time Sync

Changes flow both directions automatically:

• Edits in Google Sheets appear in the app within seconds
• App submissions write back to your spreadsheet immediately
• No manual sync buttons or scheduled refreshes required

This bidirectional sync lets power users continue working in spreadsheets while field workers use the mobile app. Both access the same underlying data.

Alternative Connection Methods

For advanced scenarios, Adalo offers additional options:

• Zapier integration: Connect timesheets to payroll systems, Slack, or 5,000+ other apps
• External Database Collections (external REST APIs): Advanced external data connections (available on Professional and above at $52/month annual billing
• Collections API (programmatic access to Adalo collections): Available on Team/Business plans

Note that Zapier's free tier uses 15-minute polling intervals. For instant triggers, upgrade to paid plans or stick with SheetBridge for real-time sync.

Designing Your Employee Timesheets App Interface

With data connected, build the visual interface employees interact with daily. Adalo's canvas works like a design tool—drag components, position them, and connect to data.

Building the Time Entry Form

Create a screen for submitting new timesheet entries:

• Add Date Picker component for selecting the work date
• Include Time Selectors for start and end times
• Use Dropdown for project selection (populated from Projects collection)
• Add Text Input for notes
• Configure Submit button to create new timesheet record

Form validation prevents incomplete submissions. Set required fields and format rules directly in component properties.

Creating the Timesheet List View

Employees need to see their submitted hours. Add a Custom List component:

• Set data source to Timesheets Collection
• Filter by logged-in employee
• Display date, project, and hours worked
• Enable tap-through to detail screens
• Add search/filter for finding specific entries

Consider using app templates as starting points. The Task Management template provides pre-built time tracking workflows, reducing build time by 50-75%.

Implementing Core Functionality: Time Tracking & Submission

The interface needs logic to function properly. Adalo handles this through Actions and Formulas.

Automatic Hours Calculation

Rather than manual entry, calculate hours worked automatically:

• Store Start_Time and End_Time as separate fields
• Create a custom formula: (End_Time - Start_Time)
• Display calculated result in Hours_Worked field
• Update totals in Google Sheets via sync

This eliminates math errors and ensures consistent calculations across all entries.

GPS Location Capture

For field service companies, location verification matters. On the Professional plan:

• Add GPS Location component to timesheet form
• Configure to auto-capture on submission
• Store latitude/longitude with each entry
• Display job site location in list views

One HVAC company saved 15 hours weekly by eliminating phone calls and gaining GPS verification for job site disputes.

Photo Documentation

Add File Upload components for visual proof of work:

• Set allowed file types to camera uploads
• Store images with corresponding timesheet entries
• Display thumbnails in list views
• Enable full-size viewing in detail screens

Managing Employees and Approvals with Your Timesheets App

Multi-user systems require role-based access. Employees see their own timesheets; managers see everyone's.

User Authentication Setup

Configure login/signup screens:

• Email/password authentication built-in
• Social login options (Google, Apple)
• User records linked to timesheet entries
• Automatic filtering by logged-in user

Each employee creates an account, and their submitted timesheets link to their user profile automatically.

Building Manager Dashboards

Create admin screens for supervisors:

• List all employees' timesheet submissions
• Filter by date range, employee, or project
• Calculate weekly/monthly totals
• Flag entries requiring attention
• Export data for payroll processing

Publishing Your Custom Timesheets App for Web and Mobile

A working app means nothing until employees can access it. Adalo publishes to web, iOS, and Android from the same project.

Web App Deployment

The fastest path to production:

• Click Publish → Select Web
• Choose custom domain (requires Starter plan) or use free Adalo subdomain
• Web apps go live immediately
• Updates deploy without disrupting active users

Native Mobile Publishing

For iOS and Android app stores:

• Apple Developer Account required ($99/year)
• Google Play Developer fee ($25 one-time)
• Submit through respective app review processes
• Approval typically takes 1-7 days

Why Adalo Stands Apart for Spreadsheet-to-App Conversion

Several no-code platforms exist, but Adalo delivers specific advantages for turning Google Sheets into timesheet applications.

SheetBridge: Purpose-Built for Spreadsheet Integration

SheetBridge solves the core challenge: getting spreadsheet data into an app quickly. Unlike third-party APIs that require access to all your Google Sheets (creating privacy concerns noted in community discussions), SheetBridge connects directly without exposing other documents.

Key SheetBridge advantages:

• 30-minute setup versus 90-120 minutes for External Collections API
• Automatic schema detection eliminates manual column mapping
• Real-time bidirectional sync under 5 seconds
• Zero API knowledge required—authenticate and click
• No third-party data access to other spreadsheets

True Native Mobile Apps

Competitors produce progressive web apps disguised as mobile software. Adalo generates actual native applications with:

• Time entry optimized for mobile
• Camera access for photo documentation
• GPS integration for location-stamped submissions
• Push notifications for timesheet reminders
• Native performance on iOS and Android devices

For field workers tracking time at remote locations, offline functionality isn't optional—it's essential.

Cost Efficiency at Scale

Compare total first-year costs:

• Adalo Starter: $432/year (annual billing; web publishing)
• Adalo Professional: $624/year (annual billing; includes geolocation features)
• Add app store developer fees (if publishing): $99/year Apple + $25 one-time Google Play

• Traditional development: $40,000-60,000

This represents 98% cost savings while delivering apps in weeks instead of months.

Proven Results

Organizations using Adalo for timesheet apps report:

• 95% timesheet accuracy (up from ~75% with manual entry)
• 40-60% reduction in timesheet errors affecting payroll
• 25% increase in billable hours captured

The component marketplace extends functionality further with 50+ additional components for specialized needs.

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