Key Points

• Shift templates allow you to reuse an existing roster structure.

• Templates copy all shifts within a selected period.

• The source roster should be clean and finalised before creating a template.

• Templates can be created as weekly or fortnightly.

• Applying a template automatically creates shifts in the selected roster period.

• Repeating shifts are now the preferred modern alternative.

Preparing the Roster Template

Before creating a template, you first need to select a roster period that contains the shifts you want to copy.

Important considerations:

• The template will copy every shift in the selected period.

• Any notes, edits, or adjustments attached to those shifts will also be copied.

• Because of this, it’s best to create templates from clean and stable roster periods that will not require further changes.

Using a well-prepared roster ensures your template remains accurate and reusable.

Creating a Shift Template

Once you have identified the roster period you want to copy, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Admin Menu in the top right corner.

2. Select Templates.

This will open the Template Management Screen.

Create a Reference Period

To create a new template:

1. Click Create Reference Period in the top right corner.

You will then need to configure the template settings.

Template Settings

Enter the following information:

Template Name
Give the template a clear and descriptive name.

Example:
Weekday Support Template

Template Frequency

Choose whether the template will be:

• Weekly

• Fortnightly

Start Date

Select the start date for the roster period you want to copy.

Example:

Start Date: 22nd

This will copy the roster beginning from that date.

Once completed, click Create Template.

The template will now appear in the template list, showing:

• Template name

• Duration

• Total number of shifts copied

Applying a Shift Template

Once the template has been created, it can be applied to any future roster period.

Step 1 – Go Back to the Roster

Navigate back to the Roster Schedule.

Find the week or period where you want to apply the template.

Step 2 – Check for Template Period Indicators

If the roster period is already part of a template, you will see a Template Dialogue Box at the top of the roster.

This warning helps prevent users from accidentally modifying template-based shifts.

Be careful when editing shifts within a template period.

Step 3 – Apply the Template

1. Click the Apply Template button in the top right corner.

2. A template selection window will appear.

Sleepover Shift Setting

You will be asked whether to allow sleepover shifts to extend into the following week.

Recommendation:

• Cut them off if the end portion of the sleepover shift already exists within the template.

This prevents duplicate overnight shifts.

Step 4 — Select the Template

Choose the template you created.

Then click Apply.

You will be asked to confirm the creation of shifts.

Step 5 — Confirm the Template

Once confirmed:

• The template shifts will automatically populate the roster.

• All shifts from the template period will appear in the selected week.

Verifying the Template

After applying the template, it’s good practice to review the roster.

You can:

• Navigate back to the original template week

• Compare both weeks

• Confirm that the shifts match correctly

This ensures the template applied successfully.

Fixing Template Mistakes

If the wrong template was applied or shifts were created incorrectly:

1. Delete all shifts from the affected roster period.

2. Return to Apply Template.

3. Select the correct template.

4. Apply it again.

Templates can be reapplied as needed.

Important Note

Shift templates are considered a legacy feature in FlowLogic.

For most organisations, Repeating Shifts are the recommended alternative because they:

• Automatically generate shifts

• Require less manual work

• Are easier to maintain long-term

• Reduce errors in rostering

Templates may still be useful when copying an existing roster structure, but repeating shifts are generally the more efficient workflow.

Summary

Shift templates allow you to quickly copy a set of shifts from one roster period to another.

The process involves:

1. Selecting a completed roster period

2. Creating a template reference period

3. Applying the template to a new roster week

4. Reviewing the newly created shifts

While templates remain available, most organisations now use repeating shifts for long-term rostering automation.