FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

about TimeTabler

Section references for the Manual, below, refer to the printed Manual.

Why do I get a black rectangle instead of a picture on some HelpScreens?

You need to follow the route:  Start->Settings->Control Panel->Display->Settings and set the Color Palette to High Colour (24 bit), or higher.

Why are some screens small or off-centre on my VDU screen?

You need to follow the route:  Start->Settings->Control Panel->Display->Settings and set the Display resolution to 1024×768 or similar (and set Font size = small fonts).

How should I specify class Scheduling names?

See section C6 and the HelpMovies at:
There are more Worked Examples in section I.  
See also the 24/7 Support Centre.  Or contact the HelpLine.

Do I need Special Resources or Special Locations?

See sections H and I, and the relevant HelpMovies to decide.

How should I choose my Batches?

See the QuickStart Guide (steps 20-22) and section F20.
Also, click here and here and the articles in the KnowledgeBase in the Support Centre ...just type 'batch' into the Search Box.

How do I enter a Second Subject?

There are 2 ways to do this (there are 2 ways to do most things in TimeTabler).
(Either way it is usually best to enter a 'Main Subject' on the Teachers Screen, C5, first).
 
1. Enter the Second Subject as you enter (or edit) each Activity (see section D7).
With this method the Second Subject is applied to all the lessons (eg. DDS) of that Activity.
 
2. [Less good] After scheduling, use the Edit Details Screen (F13, F18, K8).
With this method the Second Subject can be applied to individual lessons.

How do I specify Sets ?

Do this in either of two ways, the same as for a Second Subject (see above).
On the Print Setup Screen (J5 or J8) you can enter:
s e     to get (for example):      Maths 1
s E     to get (for example):      Maths set 1
If you want letters (A, B, C or a, b, c) for Sets, go to the Customize Menu.

How should I set up my initial structure on the schedule ?

See the QuickStart Guide, and sections F2-F4, F20, H, K2.

What if FIT can't find a solution to a kickout ?

See F6, K10.  

How can I 'undo' a lesson I've placed ?  

See F17 and K4.

I've forgotten to include a Class or a Teacher.  What can I do ?

If you Insert or Delete a Teacher or a Class after you have started any schedule(s), you will damage that schedule(s).
Deleting will affect your activity-batches also.

So if you really need to Insert or Delete a Class, or a Teacher, then you will have to:
a)   abandon (and Delete) any schedules that you have already started, and
b)   view every activity-batch in turn, and correct them if necessary, and
c)   then start a New Schedule.

It pays to double-check your Basic Data are correct before you start entering any batches.
Note that you can only Insert if the list is sorted into 'Order entered' (click Sort to change it).

The alternative is simply to just Add the Class (or the Teacher) to the end of the list.
This does not damage any schedules. Then use Sort to get your Teachers & Classes in the best order for your final printouts.

How can I change a D into SS after I've placed it on a schedule ?

See K7.

Why does 'Outstanding' say 70 (for example) when there are only 40 items shown on the Priority Screen?

An activity such as  7A   DSS   KJ  CJ  only appears once on the Priority List at any one time.
ie.  the Double appears on the list, then when it is assigned on to the schedule, the first single appears on the Priority List.
In this example, the 70 means there are 70 lessons to assign (where DSS = 3 etc.), but only 40 different activities.

How can I adjust/improve the rhythm & quality of my timetable ?

See F20 and K9.

What is the simplest & safest way to make backups of my scheduling stages ?

See the HelpMovies.  The simplest & safest way is:

1. Use File->TT-Backup regularly, on different memorysticks, and not only at the major stages of your timetable.
(You can check that it's saved via File->Verify.)

2. Use the AutoBackup (see Section C15).  The time interval can be set between 15 minutes and 5 hours

3. When saving during scheduling (see F8) it is usually simplest to say <Yes> Overwrite the Existing Schedule.
If you say <No> frequently, it will give you a large and confusing number of schedules and duplicate batches.

How can I 'clone' a Batch or a Schedule ?

See sections H26, H27 (and sections D5, F8).

I'm trying to printout a timetable, but I only get the first page. What's wrong ?

You've forgotten to untick the Test Page box !
After unticking it, click on Preview to re-draw the timetable grid.

When I go to Print, to get a Class Timetable (inclusive), the Preview Screen is empty.

If you see only a 'postage stamp' rectangle, then it means you have not yet installed a printer-driver on this computer.

When I go to Print, the Classes or Teachers are not in the order I want.

The printing order is the order you chose on the Classes Screen and the Teachers Screen.
Go to the Classes Screen (C6) or the Teachers Screen (C5) and use the Sort button to get the order you want.

How do I find out about Exporting my final timetable ?

See Section L, and visit the Export section of the web-site ‘Users’ page for the latest details for your particular MIS (SIMS, WCBS/PASS, RM Integris, SchoolBase, iSAMS, etc).

(www.timetabler.com/users.html)