--- title: Initializing Timesheet Period Type - User Guide description: Initializing Timesheet Period Type - User Guide --- [Skip to content](https://learn.getservicebox.com/initializing-timesheet-period-type-user-guide#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![ServiceBox Workmark OrangeGradient](https://learn.getservicebox.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ServiceBox%20Workmark%20OrangeGradient.png?width=225&height=57&name=ServiceBox%20Workmark%20OrangeGradient.png)](https://learn.getservicebox.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ServiceBox Support Knowledge Base](https://learn.getservicebox.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Timesheets](https://learn.getservicebox.com/timesheets?hsLang=en) 3. [User Guide](https://learn.getservicebox.com/timesheets?hsLang=en#user-guide) # Initializing Timesheet Period Type - User Guide ## Define and customize how often your team submits timesheets with ServiceBox’s flexible period types. **ServiceBox now allows administrators to define timesheet periods as weekly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly for all users.** This ensures that time entry and payroll align with your company’s scheduling needs. ### What is a Timesheet Period Type? Timesheet periods are the date ranges that determine how often employees submit their timesheets. These periods must be defined before users can enter time. The selected period type applies to **all users** in your organization. ### Initializing Timesheet Periods for New Users To set a period type for a new user: 1. Go to **Settings \> Timesheets \> Timesheet Item Types** 2. Click **Initialize Timesheets** 3. Select your **Period Type** from the dropdown #### **Period Type Options:** **1. Weekly:** - Choose any date from the current or previous week as your start date. - Example: Selecting Oct 26 will generate a period from 10/26/2021 to 11/02/2021. [![](https://learn.getservicebox.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-26-2026-05-54-40-0047-PM.png?width=670&height=415&name=image-png-Jun-26-2026-05-54-40-0047-PM.png)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/19083481689/original/X2amfRdwzx-tBYbK_Fe-LcgP1ejIfhDOIg.png?1635454058)   **2. Bi-weekly:** - Select a start date up to 13 days before or after the current date. - This will establish a two-week cycle from that point forward. **3. Semi-Monthly:** - You cannot choose the start date manually. - The system will automatically define the period as either the **1st to the 15th** or the **16th to the end of the month**. ### Adjusting Timesheet Periods for Existing Users If timesheets already exist, you can schedule a **new period type** to begin at a **future effective date**: - Example: Select “Weekly” with an effective date of **10/30/2021**. The current period ends the day before the effective date. - The next period starts based on the new cycle (weekly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly). **Note:** You cannot manually choose effective dates for semi-monthly. It will begin automatically on the next 1st or 16th of the month. ### Common Questions **Why don’t existing timesheets update when I change the period type?** Only new timesheets reflect the updated settings. Existing ones stay aligned with the period that was active when they were created. **Why does a new user see an error when entering time?** This happens if they haven’t initialized their timesheet period yet. Once a period type and start date are set, the error disappears. ### **Need Help?** If you have any questions or need support, please click the Help button in your ServiceBox account or email us at **support@getservicebox.com**.   - [Video Learning](https://learn.getservicebox.com/video-learning?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Accounting Integrations](https://learn.getservicebox.com/video-learning?hsLang=en#accounting-integrations) - [FAQs](https://learn.getservicebox.com/faqs?hsLang=en) - [Getting started](https://learn.getservicebox.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Guides](https://learn.getservicebox.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#user-guides) - [ServiceBox Mobile](https://learn.getservicebox.com/servicebox-mobile?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://learn.getservicebox.com/servicebox-mobile?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [User Guide Technician](https://learn.getservicebox.com/servicebox-mobile?hsLang=en#user-guide-technician) - [User Guide Admin](https://learn.getservicebox.com/servicebox-mobile?hsLang=en#user-guide-admin) - 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