> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://compassly.gitbook.io/compassly-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://compassly.gitbook.io/compassly-docs/core-modules/shifts/shift-template-library/import-shift-templates.md).

# Import Shift Templates

**Page type:** Task Guide\
**Status:** Draft\
**Owner:** Compassly Documentation Team\
**Last verified:** 2026-07-08\
**Audience:** Super Admin, Admin, Supervisor

## What This Section Covers

This material covers how to import a Shift Template from a CSV or XLSX file, either as a brand-new template or as a set of time blocks added to a template you already have open, and how to download an example file to see the expected format.

## Before You Start

* You must have permission "View and manage shift templates".
* Your file must be a `.csv` or `.xlsx` file with columns for ***Day of the Week***, ***Start Time***, and ***End Time***. ***Team Member ID*** and ***Client ID*** columns are optional.
* Team Member IDs and Client IDs use the short ID shown on that team member's or client's own page (for example `T000000374` or `C000000147`) — not the internal system ID.

## Where To Start

**To import a new template:**

1. Sign in to Compassly.
2. In the left navigation menu, select ***Shifts*** > ***Shift Template Library***.
3. Click ***Import shift template***.

#### OR

**To add time blocks to a template you're already editing:**

1. Open the template on the Add or Edit Shift Template screen.
2. Click ***Import shift template*** on that screen.

## Available Actions

1. **Check the expected format first, if you need to.**
   * Click ***Download shift template example*** on the Shift Template Library screen to get a sample file (`shift-template-example.xlsx`) showing the exact column layout, including example Team Member ID and Client ID values.
2. **Name the template (new-template import only).**
   * If importing from the Shift Template Library screen, enter a unique title (up to 100 characters) for the new template.
3. **Upload your file.**
   * Drag and drop it onto the upload area, or click to choose it from your device.
4. **Review any validation errors.**
   * If any row in the file has an invalid ***Team Member ID*** or ***Client ID*** — the wrong format, an ID that doesn't exist, or one that isn't connected to this template's location — the import stops before anything is created. You'll see a list of every row that failed and which column caused it. There's no way to import just the valid rows; fix the file and re-upload it.
5. **Confirm the import.**
   * Once the file passes validation, the system creates one time block per row. Team Member ID and Client ID cells that are left blank are simply treated as unassigned — that's not an error.

## Role Differences

* ***Super Admin / Admin / Supervisor:*** Can import templates for any location they're assigned to.
* ***Clinician / Basic:*** Does not have access to this screen.

## Summary Of Section

**Upon reviewing this material, you should be able to:**

* Download an example file to see the expected import format
* Import a new Shift Template from a file
* Add time blocks to an existing template from a file
* Understand what happens when a file has invalid rows

## Related Guides

* [Add a New Shift Template](/compassly-docs/core-modules/shifts/shift-template-library/add-new-shift-template.md)
* [Export a Shift Template](/compassly-docs/core-modules/shifts/shift-template-library/export-shift-template.md)


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