Why tag standardization matters
Define allowed tag structures so reports stay clean, comparable, and audit-ready.
Eliminate tag sprawl for good
Without allowed tag lists, teams create ad-hoc variations that make reports incomparable. A defined catalog prevents this from day one.
Reports you can actually compare
When everyone uses the same tag structure, time data is immediately comparable across users, periods, and teams without manual cleanup.
Scope available tags per team or user
Show each team member only the tags relevant to their role, reducing decision friction and eliminating misclassification from irrelevant options.
One tag structure for everyone
ManicTime enforces the allowed list, so free-form entries outside the defined structure are not accepted. This keeps reports consistent without relying on user discipline.
How this feature works in 3 simple steps
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Step 1
Install and connect
Install ManicTime and connect your workspace in minutes, without complicated setup.
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Step 2
Automatic activity capture
ManicTime records apps, websites, documents, and activity timelines automatically in the background.
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Step 3
Review, assign, and report
Review captured work, assign time to projects, and generate reports or invoices with confidence.
Allowed Tag Lists
Define a tag catalog that users must follow when classifying their time. This prevents free-form tag sprawl and keeps reports consistent and comparable.
Append Policy
Control whether users can extend predefined tags with additional context. Allow flexibility where needed or lock the structure for strict standardization.
Per-Team Tag Visibility
Show each team or user only the tags relevant to their role. Fewer choices means faster tagging and fewer mistakes.
Tag Enforcement
Users can only select from the allowed tag list when classifying their time. Free-form entries outside the defined structure are not accepted, preventing tag sprawl at the source.
Related features
Auto-Tagging Rules
Define rules that automatically classify your tracked activity into projects and categories.
Learn more
Assign Time to Project or Task
Assign automatically tracked work to clients, projects, and tasks with high accuracy.
Learn more
Time Tracking Reports
Create overtime, productivity, application usage, attendance, timesheet, and invoice reports from tracked data.
Learn more
Who benefits from this feature?
The biggest impact usually appears across these user groups.
Enterprise
Deploy on your own infrastructure with Active Directory, Group Policy rollout, and full data sovereignty.
Learn more
Nonprofits
Track staff and volunteer time across programs and grants for accurate reporting to funders.
Learn more
Small Teams
Get your team tracking time in minutes with shared projects, tags, and team reports — no IT setup needed.
Learn more
FAQ
Can I restrict which tags users are allowed to choose?
Can different teams see different allowed tags?
What happens if a user tries to enter a tag not in the list?
Can users still add notes or extra context to tags?
Our customer opinions
This software automatically tracks the time you spend on your computer. When you step away from your computer for a certain length of time (set by user), it will prompt you to tag that time. For example, if I'm getting coffee and have a 20 minute chat about the weekend, I tag it as personal. But if I have a chat about an upcoming or existing project, I tag it about that project. For the tasks you do on the computer, it can save screenshots every X seconds (again, set by user), so that you can have a reminder when you go to do your billing what each task was for.
I like this application because with manic time we can verify who does their right job. And we also have better control because we can choose the best workers to increase production works very well and without errors.
Just wanted to let you know that I think your software has helped me capture $1000's of dollars in revenue that I just wasn't billing before, as I wasn't doing a very good job of tracking my time. With ManicTime I get it all, and if I were ever to be audited by a client, I could give them every detail. Thanks so much!
I like that it tracks inactive time on the computer so that you can remember when you started working and when you stopped, and when you took breaks. Very easy to use, I don't have to remember to log in and the app does everything for me without me even doing anything except installing the program. It shows exactly what page and project you were working on and for how long and when.
There is a lot to love about Manic Time. It was easy to use and did way more than I was expecting from it. The reporting was informative. The editing was awesome. Tagging and managing the time tracked is robust, yet simple. It is great at taking the tracking out of time tracking. It just does 90% for you. The last 10% is tagging and validating. It really does an amazing job at showing how much time is wasted on mundane tasks or mindless browsing. I handed in my time to a project manager. He asked how I knew I worked 3.28 hours on a specific task. "Manic Time" was my answer.
Just renewed my licence for another year Just thought I'd let you know that this is one of the best pieces of software I've ever installed on my computer, free or paid for. I run my own business which principally relies on writing technical reports. ManicTime has made it so much easier to track my time over the various projects and therefore manage my fees and costs. (And your support has been excellent when I have had the odd problem).
ManicTime’s ease of use is unmatched, thanks to its intuitive interface and flexible granularity in time-tracking. The power to dive as deep as you need into data with comprehensive tagging and reporting systems is a significant upside. Its vast number of features like document, application, and activity trackers streamline the process of managing and analyzing time efficiently. Moreover, ManicTime’s advanced search capabilities, coupled with the functionality to annotate tagged time, make it a vital tool for enhancing productivity and recalling information during discussions.
Dr Steve Day (podcast)
Time tracking and its importance in business operations are discussed in this episode. Dr. Steve Day shares update on their time tracking policies, including the use of new apps and tools such as ManicTime, particularly focusing on the implementation of screenshot tracking.
Listen now
I do contract work and manage multiple projects where I bounce between projects on an almost by the minute basis. Once tagging is setup I can easily tag all my activities as I do them and my time accumulates in each project bucket. At the end of the day my timesheet is a breeze. This is the best tool I have found so far for a work style that involves heavy duty multi-tasking. I don't know what I would do without ManicTime. Well designed and thought out product.
The interface is very intuitive and easy to use. The ability to tag and color-code my work allows me to see at a glance how my day has been going. I can organize and structure things as much or as little as I like. What a great product!
It provides with useful reports which track and monitor the computer usage of employees, as well as the time spent on each computer program or application. Also the presence of an automatic screenshot feature resulted in an increase in my employees’ productivity. It runs automatically on my computer, great.
Standardize how your team classifies time
ManicTime's allowed tag lists keep everyone working from the same structure — so reports are clean, comparable, and ready without manual cleanup.