Template Issues

How to Download and Update the 2024 Employee Absence Schedule Template in Excel

Olivia Miller Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to download the Microsoft Employee Absence Schedule template, update the calendar year to 2024, and resolve issues preventing them from adding new employee names and rows.

How to Download and Update the 2024 Employee Absence Schedule Template

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a team leave and absence tracking calendar for the new year using a pre-formatted spreadsheet template.
Observed behavior: The default template displays the wrong year, and users find themselves unable to edit names or insert new rows due to the worksheet being protected.

Before you start

Ensure you have a compatible spreadsheet program installed on your device to open the .xltx template file and successfully edit its locked cells and formulas.

Solution 1Recommended

Download and Update the Standard Template to 2024

Use this method to grab the official standard template and quickly change the active calendar year to 2024.

The standard Microsoft employee absence schedule is designed to be easily updated by changing a single cell, which drives the calendar formulas for the entire document.

Download the Template

Navigate to the Microsoft Create template gallery and download the 'Employee absence schedule' template file.

Open the File

Double-click the downloaded template to open it in your spreadsheet application.

Locate the Year Cell

In the main worksheet, navigate to the top right corner and select cell AH6.

Update the Year

Type '2024' into cell AH6 and press Enter. The calendar days and weekends will automatically adjust for the year 2024.

Download and Update the Standard Template to 2024

Automatic Updates: Once cell AH6 is changed, all dates, formulas, and conditional formatting across the sheet will automatically align with the 2024 calendar.

Solution 2

Unprotect the Worksheet to Add Employees

Follow these steps if you receive an error when trying to edit employee names or add new rows.

Solution 3

Update the Advanced Version of the Template

Use this method if you downloaded the advanced international version of the absence schedule.

Manage Templates Easily

Easily Track Employee Absences with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet provides complete compatibility with Microsoft Excel templates. You can effortlessly download, open, and customize your 2024 employee absence schedule without worrying about format issues or locked features.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Spreadsheet' from the main dashboard.
2. Load the Template: Drag and drop your downloaded employee absence schedule template into the software.
3. Change the Year: Select cell AH6 on the main sheet and type '2024' to instantly update the calendar layout.
4. Unlock and Edit: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and click 'Unprotect Sheet' to easily insert new employee names and rows.

Seamlessly open and edit Microsoft Excel (.xltx, .xlsx) templates without losing formatting.Easily update the 2024 employee absence schedule and unlock protected sheets in seconds.Completely free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.Familiar user interface for a smooth transition with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I edit employee names or add rows in the template?

The worksheet is protected by default to prevent accidental changes to the calendar formulas. To fix this, go to the 'Review' tab in the ribbon and click 'Unprotect Sheet'. Once unprotected, you can edit names and insert new rows.

Where can I find more free employee tracking templates?

You can browse the Microsoft Create online template library or use the built-in template gallery within WPS Office by opening the app, clicking 'New', and searching for 'absence' or 'tracker'.

How do I change the year if I am using the advanced absence schedule template?

In the advanced version of the template, the year setting is not on the main page. You need to click the 'Setup' worksheet tab at the bottom of the screen and change the value located in cell G1 to 2024.

Document & File Issues