# How to approve a time entry

**For:** Manager
**You'll need:** A time entry with status **'Submitted'** in an open company period.

You'll move a single row to **'Approved'** — the final state before payroll. Approval stamps the audit trail with your name and the time, so reports and exports can rely on it.

## Approve the row

1. In the left sidebar, go to **Planning → Management → Timesheet**.
2. Find the row you want to approve.
3. Click **'Approve'** on the row.

## What approve does

- If the row still has no clock-in or clock-out, {{ app_name }} marks it auto-attended using the scheduled times.
- The status flips to **'Approved'**.
- The audit fields (approver and timestamp) are stamped.

```{tip}
You can skip the submit step if you're approving in bulk — see {doc}`bulk-actions`. The single-row Approve button assumes you've already submitted the row.
```

## Verify it worked

The row's status badge reads **'Approved'** and shows the approver's name on hover. The row appears in payroll and approval reports.

## Locked periods

If the company period is closed, the row shows a "locked" banner and {{ app_name }} refuses to approve. See {doc}`locked-period-ux`.

## Related

- {doc}`submit-a-time-entry`
- {doc}`unapprove-a-time-entry`
- {doc}`bulk-actions`