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How do I create a custom schedule for a Registration Grid?

  • February 4, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 54 views

Evonne Dao
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The registration grid is a premium feature in Apricot that allows a user to create multiple Tier 2 records for multiple Tier 1 records at the same time, using a grid that can be easily and quickly completed.

 

Basic Registration Grid set up allows for a user to fill out records according to a Monday-Friday schedule or an every day schedule. Advanced registration grid set up allows a user to create a custom schedule of dates (for example, every other day or just on the 5th day of every month).

 

Only continue if you have an advanced need for custom dates. Otherwise please see the Basic Registration Grid Setup.

 

Set Up - Form Structure

  1. One Tier 1 form to track the "registrants" or people who are attending the event or class containing the registration grid. You will be linking or "registering" these people for class attendance.

  2. One Tier 2 form under the registrant Tier 1 form to record details of attendance or participation. You will be creating multiple of these records every time you fill out a registration grid.

  3. One Tier 1 form to track information about the class or event that the registrants will be attending. You will open a record of this form to access the grid itself.

  4. One Tier 1 form to hold the custom date schedule you want to use in the grid.

 

Creating and Configuring the Registrant Tier 1 Form

First we need to create the Tier 1 form that will record details about the registrants or people who will be attending the class or event contained in the registration grid.

  1. Click on the Administrator tab.

  2. Select Standard Forms in the left hand menu.

  3. Select a Tier 1 form and hover over the Actions tab.

  4. Select "Edit"

  5. Or, create a new form by selecting "Tier 1 From Scratch".

Find one or two fields that can be used to identify the person these records will be created for, like a name field.

  1. Open the name field gear box.

  2. Set it to Quick View.

  3. Publish your form.

 

Creating and Configuring the Attendance Tier 2 Form

Now that you have created and configured your registrant Tier 1 form, you can create and configure the Tier 2 form that will track attendance for each of the registrants.

  1. Click the Administrator tab.

  2. Select Standard Forms in the left hand menu.

  3. Select a Tier 1 form and hover over the Actions tab.

  4. Select "New Tier 2 From Scratch"

The registration grid will be creating multiple copies of this form for each of the registrant Tier 1 records. It needs to contain all the data we want to record in the registration grid - so add all the fields pertaining to attendance that need to be recorded for each of the registrants.

 

The registration grid will only display fields that have been set to Quick View.

  1. Open the field gear box.

  2. Set the field to Quick View.

  3. Click Apply.

  4. Publish.

Notes:

  • One of these Quick View fields MUST BE a date field.

  • Keep in mind that the registration grid can become unwieldy and hard to read if there are too many fields on it; choose your fields wisely and limit how many of them you use.

 

Creating and Configuring the Custom Date Tier 1 Form

  1. To create the custom date Tier 1 form, select the Administrator tab.

  2. Click on Standard Forms.

  3. Select Tier 1 From Scratch.

  4. This form only needs to have one thing on it: a duplicate check date field. When it has been added, publish the form.

 

Creating and Configuring the Class/Event Tier 1 Form

Now that you have created your registrant Tier 1 form and your attendance Tier 2 form, you can create or configure your class or event Tier 1 form.

  1. Click the Administrator tab.

  2. Select Standard Forms from the left hand menu.

  3. Create a new form by selecting "Tier 1 From Scratch".

 

You will be opening a specific record of this class form to access the registration grid itself. Now we need to use link fields to connect this Tier 1 form to the other forms we have already created.

  1. Expand the black arrow next to the Linking category in the Field Choices panel. Drag the link field into the main body of your form (repeat this two more times).

  2. Open the green gear box in the first of the link fields.

  3. Rename the field (it can be named anything but we advise to name it "Registrants" or something similar).

  4. Under the "Linked To" select the registrant Tier 1 form you already created.

  5. In the second and third drop down menus, select Many both times. This will allow many registrant records to be connected to each class/event form.

  6. Click Apply.

 

You will be opening a specific record of this class form to access the registration grid itself. Now we need to use linking fields to connect this Tier 1 form to the other forms we have already created.

  1. Open the green gear box in the second of the link fields.

  2. Rename the field. We advise to name it something to the degree of "Attendance"

  3. Under "Linked To" select the attendance Tier 2 form you already created.

  4. In the second and third drop down menus, select Many both times. This will allow many attendance records to be connected to each class/event form.

  5. Click Apply.

 

Now we need to use linking fields to connect this tier 1 form to the custom date Tier 1 form we have already created.

  1. Open the green gear box in the third linking fields.

  2. Rename the field. We advise to something like, "Custom Dates"

  3. Under the "Linked To" select the custom date Tier 1 form you already created.

  4. In the second and third drop down menus, select Many both times.

  5. Click Apply.

 

Add and Configure the Registration Grid Field

  1. On the right hand menu, click "Registration". This will add the registration grid field to your form.

  2. Open the gear box in the registration field.

  3. Update the name if necessary.

  4. Under, "Schedule", select Custom.

  5. under, "Schedule Link" select the linking field that corresponds with the custom dates.

  6. Under, "Schedule Date Field", select the date field from your Custom Dates form.

  7. Under, "Registrant Link", select your registrant Tier 1 form.

  8. Under, "Registration Entry Form" select your Tier 2 Attendance form.

  9. Under, "Registration Date Field" select the Date field from the Tier 2 Attendance form.

  10. Click Apply.

  11. Publish the form.

 

Enter Date in Registrant Tier 1 Form

Now you have finished creating the form structure needed to support the use of the registration grid feature.
Your next step is to enter a date for all of the Tier 1 forms you created.

 

  1. Select My Apricot

  2. Select the registrant Tier 1.

  3. Create at least one record.

Note: If you want to add dates for the entire year, semester, etc - this can be done in bulk using the Imports Tool. Read more about importing tier 1 records here.

 

In order for the registration grid to work, you must already have registrants entered into the system.

 

Enter Data in the Custom Dates Tier 1 Form

This is where you will create the dates in which the registration grid will read from. If the date doesn't exist, then they cannot create a record for that date. These dates will need to be kept up-to-date.

1. Click on My Apricot
2. Under Search Record, click on the Custom Dates Tier 1
3. Create at least 1 record.

 

Enter Data in Class Tier 1 Form

In order for the registration grid to work, you must already have at least one class entered in the system.

  1. Click on My Apricot

  2. Under Search Record, click on the Class Tier 1.

  3. Create at least 1 record.

 

Add Registrants via the Linking Field

  1. Edit the Class record and click on "Add" next to the registrant linking field.

  2. Select the registrants you wish to add to the class/event.

  3. Save record.

 

Add Custom Dates via Custom Dates Linking Field

  1. Edit the Class record and click on "Add" next to the Custom Dates link.

  2. Click on the dates you wish to associate with this class.

  3. Save Record.

Note: If you want to link Custom Dates in bulk, we recommend using the Imports Tool. Learn more about importing links here.

 

Using The Registration Grid

  1. Open the Document Folder for the Class you wish to record attendance form, click on the vertical ellipses.

  2. Select "New Registration Section"

 

The Parts of the Registration Grid

  1. The name of the class. The records you create will record information about this class for the people you select.

  2. Registration: A date field that shows the starting date for your grid of classes. The number here will be the first date your selected from your custom date records.

  3. Shows how many days are being included in your registration grid.

  4. If you make any adjustments to 2 or 3, click the reload button to reload the registration grid with new dates.

  5. This column shows the names of the registrants

  6. This row shows the dates

  7. The gray row at the top is a short cut; anything you fill out in this gray row will be filled out for the entire column.

  8. Similar to the gray row at the top, the gray column to the right is a short cut to apply changes to the entire row.

  9. The small trash can icon in the box allows you to delete this record from the registration grid if it was added in error.

  10. The small document icon in the box takes you to that attendance record (in a new tab).

  11. When you have entered the data necessary, select Save Records.

You have just created a unique attendance record for each of the registrants using the registration grid.

 

Registration Grid Tips

  1. The registration grid does not have any data validation (for example if doesn't enforce required fields or minimum on numeric fields).

  2. The following fields can be added to a form but cannot be added to a reg grid:

  • Attach doc

  • Auto Populate

  • Calculation (+) Add

  • Calculation (-) Subtract

  • Calculation (x) Multiply

  • Calculation (/) Divide

  • Calculation Round

  • Calculation Date After

  • Calculation Date Before

  • Calculation Date Difference

  • Calculation Time Difference

  • Dynamic Checkbox

  • Dynamic Dropdown

  • Dynamic Number

  • Dynamic Text

  • Grant

  • Grant Invitation

  • Link

  • Record Lock

  • Scheduler

  • Signature

 

How Do I Create a Custom Schedule for a Registration Grid in Apricot? | How Do I Set a Custom Registration Grid Schedule in Apricot? | Why Can’t I Edit the Registration Grid Schedule in Apricot? | How Do I Customize Session Times in an Apricot Registration Grid? | How Do I Add Dates to a Registration Grid Schedule in Apricot? | Can I Change Time Slots in an Apricot Registration Grid? | What Are the Steps to Build a Custom Registration Grid Schedule in Apricot?

4 replies

Hollie
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  • First Timer
  • March 31, 2026

The only complaint I get consistently from my team is that they have to set the date at the top to the day before the date for which they are taking attendance. Is there any possibility that we might someday be able to set it to the day that the attendance is being taken?


AnnieNovacek
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  • Community Manager
  • May 14, 2026

Hi Hollie, thank you for the feedback. The system is set to default to today’s date, and I am assuming from your comment that your staff is logging attendance the next day? If there is room in your workflow to have staff log attendance day of, that’s one solution; there is not currently an option to change the default.

Just to note, Registration Grid is the older feature for tracking attendance. If you haven’t checked out the new and improved Attendance Tracker, I highly recommend exploring since it has enhanced functionality (easier to configure, more flexibility, etc.). 


Hollie
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  • First Timer
  • May 21, 2026

Hi ​@AnnieNovacek
 

I have learned so much about Apricot from watching videos where you’ve explained how to do things, so this is pretty exciting. You are my favorite person to learn things from on the website. (: Thank you for responding! 
 

Sorry, my initial comment wasn’t very clear, but yes, you understood exactly what I was saying. Our Operations team takes attendance the next day, and then they don’t see the group session that they are trying to enter attendance for in the registration grid because the date at the top auto-populates with the date they are recording attendance (usually the day after the group session occurs). 
 

Currently, there isn’t really a way for staff to include attendance in their workflow on the same day. Will the Registration Grid method of attendance continue to be supported in Apricot? Your current Attendance Tracker still doesn’t allow us to track more than two Tier 1 forms, and we unfortunately have three that we would need to connect for attendance. Additionally, the Registration Grid allows us to track both group members and volunteers (both Tier 1 forms) in relation to the groups that they are a part of, which works super well for us. 
 

I do actually have one other question that I’d love to get your thoughts on: We are currently tracking attendance in a Registration Grid with “Group Information” as the main Tier 1. “Group Information” works in basically the same way something like a “Household” would, in that it is able to hold both the Tier 1 “Participant Profile” records for clients in the group and the Tier 1 “Volunteer Information” records for volunteers who facilitate the groups. This is great! However, the issue is that when I was setting this up, I was under the impression that we could use the link between a client’s “Participant Profile” Tier 1 form and their group’s “Group Information” Tier 1 form to essentially show their program enrollment (in this case, that means their group enrollment and whether or not it is active), and I don’t think we can do that. 
 

In my attempt to figure this out, I was thinking that maybe we could use your native program enrollment tool somehow, but it looks like that will only connect to a Tier 2 form (like a program enrollment form, which we don’t have because we were trying to eliminate the duplicative work that went into our program enrollment form previously). The native program enrollment tool doesn’t look like it would work with an associated Tier 1 form connected to the client’s profile (in this case, “Group Information”), is that correct? 
 

I hope this all makes sense. If you have any suggestions about the best way to handle this, I would really appreciate your guidance. The goal is to be able to exclude participants from our wait list based on their group enrollment, but right now, we don’t have a way to pull their group enrollment into a wait list report through the link between their “Participant Profile” and “Group Information.” 
 

If this makes sense and you have any ideas, I would love to hear them. I know it’s a little more complicated than what I’ve described here, but I hope this is enough information to start. I’m happy to provide more details if helpful. 
 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through all of this. I really appreciate it, and I’m hopeful that your perspective might help me figure out the best way to handle this issue! (:


AnnieNovacek
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  • Community Manager
  • May 21, 2026

Hey ​@Hollie ​! 💚 Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so glad we get to connect!

Thank you for confirming how you use Registration Grid. The current day’s date is the default when you go in to log attendance, and we don’t have the option to change that. As long as having your team update that date works, then I would move forward with that for now. If that’s still an issue though, we likely need to get Support involved to dig deeper.

Thank you also for sharing the ways in which Attendance Tracker is not yet meeting your needs. If you haven’t shared this in the Ideas Portal, please do in order to get it in front of our Product team to consider for future enhancements. I am not aware of any plans to stop supporting Registration Grid, but you can expect that future development will be focused on the newer Attendance Tracker.

 

As for your other question, it sounds like you have a nice setup for tracking your Groups with Participant and Volunteer involvement. You are correct that the Enrollments feature is not designed to work with linking across Tier 1s. You could still fill out information there for reporting on enrollment dates and active clients, but that might get complicated if you are trying to pull into that report the Participant Tier 1, the Group Tier 1, and the Enrollment. 

When you say you don’t think you can rely on the link between the Participant and the Group as an enrollment, there are a few considerations here. If you are interested in active enrollments today, this should work as you will see anyone linked to the group right now. If you need to see who was active at another point in time in the past, then no, this isn’t ideal. Links are best for current state, not reporting on historical situations.

The Tier 2 enrollment form you cited is generally our best practice for capturing start and end dates to be able to filter for a specific timeframe. I understand wanting to avoid duplicate data entry. Perhaps this could be streamlined with our Workflow feature to make sure it’s not missed? Another option would be to use Batch Record creation to log Tier 2 enrollments for the whole group but just have to fill it out once. It’s still a separate form to fill out, but would allow for less data entry by doing so in bulk.

 

I hope this gives you some ideas to consider!