Shift Schedule Template for Excel — Download for Free
A weekly plan for 2- and 3-shift operations with dropdown shift codes, automatic hour calculation, a staffing check with warnings, and a rotation plan for 4 teams. No sign-up, ready to use right away.
Excel (.xlsx) · set up for 15 employees · 2-/3-shift · rotation tab
Red cells = staffing below the minimum. This is exactly how the check works in the template.
Choose your shift schedule template
Both versions are free — download the Excel template directly, and the premium pack arrives by email.
Excel shift schedule template
3 tabs: a weekly plan with dropdown shift codes, automatic hour calculation and a staffing check, a 3-shift rotation plan for 4 teams, and a guide with key working-time-law figures.
Free · No sign-upDownload ExcelPremium pack
Premium7 tabs: work and shift planning combined, a dynamic 3-shift rotation over 12 calendar weeks, a working-time-law checklist with a traffic-light system, and a staff-cost dashboard.
Free · By emailDouble opt-in · in line with GDPR principles
Planning individual start-to-end times instead of fixed shifts? Go to the work schedule template
What the template can do
Staffing check with warnings
Actual staffing per day and shift is counted automatically — red cells show understaffing against your minimum requirement.
Dropdown shift codes
Pick E, L, N, V, S or off from a dropdown. Cells color automatically — no typos, consistent codes.
Automatic hour total
Weekly hours per person are calculated from the shift codes. Hour values in the legend are freely adjustable.
3-shift rotation plan
A dedicated tab with forward rotation (E → L → N → off) for 4 teams over 8 weeks — the gentler direction according to occupational science.
Create a shift schedule in 4 steps
- 1
Enter the week start
Enter the Monday date in cell C2 — the daily dates for the week adjust automatically.
- 2
Add your team
Replace the placeholders in column B with your employees (up to 15 people, expandable).
- 3
Choose shift codes
For each day, pick the code from the dropdown: E (early), L (late), N (night), V (vacation), S (sick), - (off). The cells color automatically.
- 4
Check staffing & print
The staffing check counts the staffing per day and shift and turns red when you fall below your minimum requirement.
A detailed guide with shift models and working-time-law rules: Creating a shift schedule — the complete guide
Which shift model fits your operation?
| Model | Times | Typical for | Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-shift (early/late) | 06–14 / 14–22 | Retail, hospitality | Simple, no night work |
| 3-shift (E/L/N) | 06–14 / 14–22 / 22–06 | Care, manufacturing | 24h coverage |
| 4-shift (+ off) | 3 shifts + day off | Industry, security | Fair rotation, more staff |
| Rolling | Weekly rotation E→L→N→off | Large operations | Predictable and even |
How to keep rest periods, breaks and maximum working time in check is explained in the article Shift schedules without working-time-law violations
When Excel reaches its limits
Rotation across many weeks, swap requests, weekend sick reports, rest periods between shift changes — from around 10 employees in multi-shift operation, Excel becomes error-prone. Shiftdesk checks your plans automatically for potential working-time-law conflicts, notifies your team via the app, and counts hours including premiums.
14 days free · no payment details · cancel monthly
Frequently asked questions about the shift schedule template
Is the shift schedule template really free?▼
Which shift models does the template cover?▼
How does the staffing check work?▼
Can I adjust shift times and hours?▼
Does the template account for the Working Hours Act?▼
Is there also a work schedule template with start-to-end times?▼
The template serves as guidance and does not replace individual legal advice. The working-time-law notes in the guide are based on statutory standard values — for a legal assessment of an individual case, consult a lawyer specializing in employment law.