Billings Pro Help
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# Starting a timer

The timer is useful for tracking time on working slips (both timed and fixed slips). Using the timer, you can calculate the exact amount of time you spent working with a particular slip. These timed or fixed slips will form the individual list items in the invoices or estimates you send to your clients. Slips can be either linked or unlinked to a project when you are timing them. You can start the timer in 2 situations:

1. You have created a timed or fixed slip that is linked to a project and want to start the timer.
2. You are working with another application and you need to create a new timed slip. Hence, you want to start the timer immediately.

If your timed slip is already linked to a project, follow the instructions given here.

## To start a timer for the slip already linked to a project

1. Select a slip.
2. Choose Window > Timers.

   Billings Pro adds the selected slip to the Active Slips list of the Timers window.

3. Click the Play button to start the timer.

   The Play button and background of the timer turn red when the timer is on.

Sometimes, you may have to create a timed slip instantly when you are working with a different application. For instance, you receive a phone call and want to start timing it right away. You can use the hot key shortcut to start a new timed slip. The slip created this way is not linked to a project. You can create a timed slip that is not linked to any project using one of the following methods.

## To start a new timed slip using Hot Keys

1. Press the hot key combination to start a new timed slip.

   Billings Pro adds a new slip to the list of Active Slips in the Timers window.

2. Enter a name for the new slip.
3. Click the Play button to start the timer.

   The Play button and background of the timer turn red when the timer is on.

## To start a new timed slip from the Timers window

1. In the Billings Pro toolbar, click the Timers button.
2. Click the + button.

   Billings Pro adds a new slip to the Active Slips list.

3. Enter a name for the new slip.
4. Click the Play button to start the timer.

   The Play button and background of the timer turn red when the timer is on.

## To start a new timed slip from the Menubar timer

1. Click the Menubar timer and choose New Timed Slip.
2. Choose Start.

   The Play button and background of the timer turn red when the timer is on.

If you want to temporarily pause the timer, click the Pause button in the Timers window. The button and the background of the timer will turn black when the timer is paused. When you have finished working with a slip, click the Checkmark button in the Timers window. A new sheet opens and you can do one of the following:

- If your slip is not linked to a project, Billings Pro opens a list of clients and projects and you must link your slip to an existing project.
- If your slip is already linked to a project, Billings Pro removes the slip from the Timers window. Billings Pro marks the slip as completed and ready to be invoiced.

## See also

About the Timers Window

About the Menubar timer

Adjusting a timed slip