Review a time card after a CSV round trip
A successful file round trip preserves the records, not just the grand total.
The sample data
| Row | Shift | Unpaid break | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 09:00–17:30 | 00:30 | 08:00 |
| 2 | 08:00–12:00 | 00:00 | 04:00 |
The first note is “Client work, morning session”. Its comma belongs inside the note, not between two fields. A CSV writer quotes the field so that a reader can recover the note as one value.
Review more than the total
- Confirm that both source records appear in the preview.
- Map start date, start time, end date and end time explicitly.
- Check the break types and the comma-containing note.
- After creating the new card, compare both row values and the 12:00 total.
Choose the right backup
CSV transfers record data and may need mapping when it comes from another tool. It is not the complete project backup. Use versioned JSON to preserve all editable project settings, and use PDF for the reading copy. Formula-like notes need the exporter’s spreadsheet-safe handling; CSV quoting alone does not make every spreadsheet reader behave identically.
Use this example
Open related toolFrequently asked questions
Why is the comma inside the sample note preserved?
The CSV field is quoted, so that comma belongs to the note rather than separating another column. The importer previews the recovered text before commit.
Does importing this CSV restore all project settings?
No. It creates a new project from reviewed record data. Use a complete project JSON backup to restore all settings and editable state.
Sources and method
- NIST SP 330, Section 4, Table 8Time-unit definitions only; not a payroll authority or product endorsement.
- Original worked calculationSynthetic example data, explicit input rules and direct integer-minute arithmetic.
- RFC 4180: Common Format and MIME Type for CSV FilesInformational CSV field and quoting reference; not a payroll schema or universal spreadsheet-safety guarantee.
Keep going
Time card calculator
Build a dated time card with multiple shifts, paid and unpaid breaks, local projects, CSV import and PDF or JSON exports.
Import and export CSV files
Map CSV fields, inspect every row, fix date or break errors, and export safely labeled record data for spreadsheets.
Worked time-card examples
Browse twelve checked examples of split shifts, overnight breaks, date boundaries, decimal durations and file review.