Time database- how to make a pause or is there an existing program

[bird lover]

I use msaccess 2003. I want to measure the time I spend on projects. I made
fields for start time, and end time which lets me measure the time by
subtraction. However, I am frequently interrupted by outside conversations or
todos. How can I set up some sort of pause system, so that the pause time is
deducted from the calculated time. I don't know programming. If it can be
done by queries or macros, that would be appreciated.
Alternative: If someone has a better idea, or if there is a program that
already meausres time expended on multiple projects, allowing skipping back
and forth, I'd appreciate the advice.

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Actually, in the real sense you don't need a real timer, all you need is
something that stores the start time, and then the end time.

As for taking coffee breaks, or lunch break, or perhaps even taking the
whole afternoon off for a doctor's appointment etc, what you do is simply
have a login time, and a seperate log out time.

here's what one might look like:

Date Start Time End Time Project Name Notes
11/26/2007 10:45:00 AM 11:00:00 AM DHR Jamie groups - email
11/26/2007 11:15:00 AM 1:00:00 PM DHR Fix email (booked) groups option

As you can see in the above log I stopped at 11:00 AM, took a fifteen minute
break, and then work from 11:15 right on through lunch to 1:00 PM

Never did I start some internal timer inside of MS access, but I simply log
the start, and then later on the day the end time.

it's a simple matter to create a form with the start time, and the end time,
and perhaps even a combo box for the project name you're working on

You could also place a button beside each of the two fields, and thus a user
who would not actually have to type in the time of day, but simply click on
a start button. to log out or take a break the purse was simply click on the
log out time.

your form might look something like this :

CurrentProject ________ (could be a combo box)

Start Time _______ [Buttion to start time] End Time
_________ [Buttion to end time]

the code behind the button to start the timer would be :

me.StartTime = Now()

and the code behind the button to stop the timer would be

me.EndTime = Now()

At this point we now have a start, and and time, and can easily build an
expression that subtracts the two times. Note also how we can actually have
two projects are open at the same time, or least switch between different
projects during the day.

So, you simply to start a new line of data with the project name, plus the
start and end time. This design will allow you to switch between projects
all day long. You can use then use the report writer to total up the times
at the end of the day, or weekly, or perhaps even monthly by projects you
worked on.

You should also check out the templates at the Microsoft download site, as
they have a few time and billing samples that you can download for free...

http://office.microsoft.com/templates/default.aspx

 

[bird lover]

You put a lot of work into your response which is greatly appreciated. I'll
work on your suggestions this evening. In an event, thanks.