Question 1

Managing Automated Allowances with Smart Formulas

Accepted Answer

Managing Automated Allowances with Smart Formulas

Some awards have allowances that are applied automatically when a file is validated (minimum engagement, laundry allowances etc.)

When Assigning Smart Formulas

By default, any automated allowances are enabled when assigning a smart formula to employees.

To disable all automated allowances so that they are not created when validating a file, turn the Use Automatic Allowances switch off. This will set all such allowances being assigned to manual.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/0lvdTgAhOz/auto_allowance_setting.png (auto_allowance_setting)

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/VYNklaqoTk/auto_allowance_setting_off.png (auto_allowance_setting_off)

After Assigning Smart Formulas

After assigning smart formulas, Automated Allowances can optionally be enabled/disabled for each employee by selecting the award line, clicking Edit and editing Apply Automatically and clicking Update to save the changes.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/bHkCgudvwm/smart_formula_auto_allowance.png (smart_formula_auto_allowance)

Question 2

This deduction may make the payslip total ($0.00) negative

Accepted Answer

This warning is displayed as the paylsip may not be able to be uploaded if the total is negative.

This depends on a number of factors, so is just a warning and can be ignored in many circumstances. However, if the default values combined with the lines being uploaded would cause the total to be negative Xero will not allow it to be uploaded and an error will be shown after the upload is attempted.

If the upload fails, either:

Question 3

How do I view uploaded Timesheets, Leave, Adjustments or Projects in Xero?

Accepted Answer

After validating or uploading your file, you can open the transaction is Xero by clicking the appropriate button under 'View in Xero'

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/JPgwI43sQH/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-24%20at%2010.30.39%20pm.png (Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 10.30.39 pm.png)

For NZ and UK organisations, most transactions can be viewed in Xero by clicking on the link in the transaction type column when viewing the upload data.

If you need to make changes in Xero, you can then retry the validation on the current file by clicking 3 : Validate Data in the top of the screen or in the Revalidate button.

Question 4

Can I upload Draft Timesheets or Approve them after upload?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

The default option for uploading timesheets to Xero is a status of Draft. If you would like to upload timesheets with a status of Approved, just select the appropriate radio button when importing your file to UpSheets.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/aCZKd1XYcp/10.png (10.png)

Alternatively, you may select the Approve All button after uploading your file to Xero and UpSheets will approve all eligible timesheets for you.

Question 5

Missing Xero Smart Formulas

Accepted Answer

In order for Smart Formulas to be imported into UpSheets from Xero the pay item in Xero must:

Match the format described here;
Be assigned to the pay template of an active employee;
Be valid for timesheets; and
Do not contain extra spaces between paramaters ([EVERY][0.0~7.6][0-2] NOT [EVERY] [0.0~7.6] [0-2])

The easiest way to check if a pay item is valid for timesheets is to add a new timesheet in Xero (Payroll> Timesheets> Add Timesheet) and check that it is available in the dropdown.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/AmR1nN5Vqi/timesheet%20dropdown.png (timesheet dropdown)

If they are not visible it is usually because they are not active, or because they are set up as an allowance. Allowances may be uploaded as timesheets if they:

Have a Rate Type = Multiple; or
Have a Rate Type = Rate per unit and Type of units = hours
Have a Rate Type = Rate per unit and Type of units = The same time unit used for the Ordinary Earnings Type of the Employee (Days/Weeks etc)

See here for more information

Question 6

Is it safe to connect to Xero / Can you see my password?

Accepted Answer

UpSheets connects to Xero using OAuth, which requires you to login to your Xero account and approve the connection.

UpSheets does not see, or store your Xero login details and has no access to your Xero account after you have finished using it.

After clicking connect - You can verify that you are indeed logging into Xero by looking at the address in your browser when you are redirected to login - it will be on the xero.com domain:

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/JRU9qS1Jee/secure.png (secure)

All data transmitted between you, UpSheets and Xero is secured using industry standard HTTPS/TLS encryption.

Question 7

Using Public Holidays with Smart Formulas

Accepted Answer

Background

Smart Formulas can be used to select different earnings rates on public holidays. In order to do so, they must first be configured in UpSheets (even though Xero has public holidays configured, they are not available publicly).

Basic Setup

To use public holidays, it must first be enabled:

Smart Formulas> Smart Formula Settings> Holidays

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/MXaz7Onx3j/enable%20smart%20formulas.png (enable smart formulas)

Then click Setup Holidays and then Add each holiday to the default calendar

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/jgcT0Zk7dv/add%20holiday.png (add holiday)

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/zro1FGCMN5/calendar%20setup.png (calendar setup)

Once complete click Back to Settings to exit

Default Calendar

As standard, a single Default Calendar is available and automatically assigned to all employees.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/11KhSBg2hM/default%20calendar.png (default calendar)

Using Additional Calendars

If you require more calendars, simply click Add Calendar, give it a name and click Save. You can then add holidays in the same way as usual.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/ah4ZgsVVVe/add%20calendar.png (add calendar)

NOTE: You must add all required dates for each calendar.

When multiple calendars are defined, you can optionally select a calendar for each employee. If some employees do not need a calendar, simply set up a calendar with no holidays and assign it as required.

Question 8

Projects Setup is Incomplete

Accepted Answer

In order to upload Tasks or Time using Xero Projects, you must first complete the required setup.

For detailed information on how to set up Projects check out Xero's website

If you are using the Xero demo organisation, most of the setup is done for you - however, you must manually complete the following step to complete it.

After logging into your Xero organisation, click Payroll > All Projects

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/sWvfkifb2U/projects1.png (projects1)

On the next screen click, Get Started and wait for the next screen to load and you are good to go.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/j0x2GOjMS3/resources/uo7p7BWrBj/projects2.png (projects2)

In order for UpSheets to know you have enabled Projects, either:

Log back into UpSheets
Disconnect and reconnect your organisation; or
Click the Projects button and click Reconnect to Xero