Use this technique if your shift schedule does not appear in the Shift Schedules list, or if you already have the information at hand.

Notes: this tab is scrollable; for better access to items at the bottom of the page, drag it upwards with your finger. To retract the virtual keyboard, touch the tab title ("Edit Manually").

Type a Filename in the edit control; this name will appear in your pick list.

Key Point: create a file named "ShiftCal" to have it automatically displayed on startup (you can also save a copy with your agency name). Android filenames are case-sensitive. It will allow files named "ShiftCal" and "shiftcal" to exist at the same time, but only one will be displayed, and only "ShiftCal" will load automatically on startup.

Type an Agency Name in the edit control; this name will appear as the title on your calendar.

Enter the Number of Platoons (usually 3; valid range 2 to 6).

Select a Start Date using the date picker tool. Good choices are A-shift's first day back from a multi-day, or the first day of the current month.

Enter the Shift Rotation for one full cycle starting on Start Date.

A trivial example: for a three-day rotation (work 24 hours, off 48): enter ABC.

A common rotation is "work 3 off 4" which looks like this: ABCBCACAB or ACABABCBC (same rotation, just starting on a different date).

A variety of shift schedules are posted on the shift schedules page. Even if you don't find an exact match, you may find a schedule similar to yours, but with a different start date or colors.

Touch the Set Colors button to save current settings and go to the color selection tab.

Touch the button for each platoon to assign a color.

(Optional) Touch the LdTr (Leading/Trailing) button to select a color for lead-in dates.

(Optional) Touch the BkGr (Background) button to select a background color. If you work with multiple shift schedules, consider assigning a unique background color to your primary schedule.

If your schedule uses Kelly Days, Debit Days, or RDO's, touch the X button to select a color.

Touch the Save button to write the information to a file and to display the calendar.