---
title: "Automating Shift Creation with Dispatch Forms (Boards + Forms + Field Schedule)"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/automating-shift-creation-with-dispatch-forms-boards-forms-field-schedule"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-06-26T17:39:47.981Z"
---

# Automating Shift Creation with Dispatch Forms (Boards + Forms + Field Schedule)

## **📈 Automating Shift Creation with Dispatch Forms (Boards + Forms + Field Schedule)**  
 

### 📘 Article Purpose

This article explains how to **automate shift creation** in the Field Schedule using **dispatch forms**—especially when integrated with Ontraccr boards like a **Service Tracker**.

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## **🔗 Key Concepts**

| Element | Role in the Workflow |
| --- | --- |
| **Board** | Tracks service or project requests |
| **Form** | Collects dispatch details (who, what, when) |
| **Dispatch Block** | Automates shift creation in Field Schedule |

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## **🔁 Overview: How the Automation Works**

1.  A dispatcher or technician **submits a form** (e.g., from a board card or mobile app)
2.  The form contains a **Dispatch Workflow Block**
3.  Ontraccr uses that block to **create a shift** in the Field Schedule
4.  Optional: another workflow block updates the **board card status** (e.g., moves it to “Scheduled”)

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## **📋 What the Dispatch Block Does**

When a form with a dispatch block is submitted, it can:

-   Create a shift with:
    -   Title
    -   Assigned users or teams
    -   Project & cost code
    -   Date and time
-   Launch related **automations**:
    -   Send external client notifications (e.g., “crew has arrived”)
    -   Trigger other forms (e.g., safety checklist)

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## **🛠️ Setup Steps (Admin Only)**

1.  Go to **Forms** and open your dispatch form
2.  Add a **Dispatch Workflow Block**
3.  Map fields from the form to shift attributes:
    -   Date/time
    -   Assigned user
    -   Project, cost code, etc.
4.  Save and publish the form

Optional:

-   Add an **Update Board Card Block** to move the related job card to a new column (e.g., “Scheduled”)

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## **📱 Ways to Submit Dispatch Forms**

-   Directly from a **Board Card**
-   In the **Web App**
-   Through the **Mobile App**

🧠 Use this with mobile teams who need to quickly log and schedule jobs in the field.

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## **🔁 Example Use Case: Service Tracking**

-   A service request card is created in the **Service Tracker** board
-   A dispatcher clicks “Dispatch”
-   They fill out a form with:
    -   Job details
    -   Technician
    -   Time
-   The form submission:
    -   Creates a shift
    -   Moves the card to “Scheduled”

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## **⚙️ Manual vs. Automated Shift Creation**

| Method | Ideal For | Automations? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Manual | One-off internal scheduling | ❌ No |
| Form + Dispatch Block | Structured, repeatable dispatch flows | ✅ Yes |
| Gantt Dispatch | Planned project tasks → shift creation | ✅ Yes |