If you are searching for a free app to track your employees' attendance, check-in, and check-out time, then you are on the right path of the internet.
In this guide, we'll show you how to create your own free attendance app using simple Google tools — no coding, no paid software, just a few easy manual steps.
Let's get started!
Why You Should Try a Free Attendance App Setup
For startups, small offices, or field teams, attendance tracking is essential — but not everyone is ready to invest in HR or sales tracking software right away.
With a few free Google apps (Forms, Sheets, and Drive), you can build a manual but functional attendance app to record check-in and check-out times, and generate basic reports.
Step-by-Step: Build Your Own Free Attendance App
Step 1: Create a Google Form for Check-In & Check-Out
1. Go to Google Forms
2. Click "Blank Form"
3. Add the title: Employee Attendance – Check-In & Check-Out Form
4. Create these fields:
Employee Name (Short answer)
Employee ID (Optional)
Select Action (Dropdown: Check-In / Check-Out)
Final Look:
5. In the settings (⚙️), turn on "Collect email addresses" if you want to track who filled the form.
Step 2: Connect Google Form to Google Sheets
1. Open your Form → go to the "Responses" tab. Click on the green Sheets icon.
2. This automatically creates a linked Google Sheet that logs every form submission.
3. Every submission will automatically record: Timestamp, Employee Name, Employee ID, Action (Check-In / Check-Out).
Step 3: Use Formulas to Track Attendance Time
You'll notice each response already includes a timestamp (submission time).
To make your report easier to read:
1. Keep the "Timestamp" column as-is. Add two new columns: Check-In Time and Check-Out Time
2. Use the following formulas:
- =IF(D2="Check-In", A2, "")
- =IF(D2="Check-Out", A2, "")
This automatically separates check-in and check-out times into their own columns.
Free vs Automated: Attendance System Comparison
| Feature | Free Google-Based Setup | 1Channel Automated Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| GPS Tracking | ❌ Not available — employees can check in from anywhere | ✅ Real-time GPS-based check-in & check-out |
| Photo / Location Verification | ❌ No verification available | ✅ Photo, GPS, and location proof |
| Automation Level | ❌ Manual data entry and cleanup | ✅ Fully automated attendance with alerts |
| Reporting | ❌ No automated reports | ✅ Auto-generated daily, weekly & monthly reports |
| Team Scalability | ❌ Suitable only for small teams | ✅ Scales easily for growing field teams |
| Integration | ❌ No integration with CRM / SFA | ✅ Seamlessly integrated with CRM & SFA modules |
| Ease of Use | ⚠️ Needs manual steps and basic technical skills | ✅ Super easy mobile-first interface |
Know About 1Channel
Discover how 1Channel's AI-powered automation can transform your field team attendance tracking with GPS, photo verification, and real-time reports.
Explore 1Channel AI →Free Download: Employee Attendance Sheet (Excel Template)
To make this process even easier, download our ready-to-use Excel Attendance Sheet, designed for daily manual entry or cross-verifying Google Sheet data.
Download Free Employee Attendance Sheet (Excel)
This file helps you manage attendance records offline and can be customized with your company's branding before you switch to a full automation system.
Final Thoughts
Building your own free attendance app using Google tools is an excellent first step for learning and managing small teams.
But when you're ready to scale or need accuracy, automation is the key.
Try this manual setup first, and then explore how 1Channel can transform your attendance tracking experience — from manual to intelligent.
