# Time Tracker

## Command Description

The Time Tracker command is a tool running in the background of Autodesk Inventor, capable of measuring the time spent working on Inventor files. The recorded time is saved continuously to a CSV file whenever the Inventor document is saved, allowing for further processing in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or similar applications. The effect on the Inventor's performance is negligible.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The data provided by Time Tracker is only indicative and depends on the tool settings, the complexity of the problem being solved, or the style of work in Inventor.
{% endhint %}

### How it works

Each time an Inventor document is saved, a line with a time stamp is written to the CSV file. All time records contain the following data:

* *Part Number* to identify the document.
* *Doc type* to identify the type of the document (ipt, iam, idw/dwg).
* *User* to identify the user who created the record.
* *Record created* containing the date and time when the new record was added.
* *Time Tracked* with the value of time elapsed since the previous record was successfully created.

<figure><img src="/files/AVEI9YnmmKT0AaGN0Q7G" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
For the Time Tracker to measure time properly, the following conditions must be met:

* The document must have been saved at least once in the past. Otherwise, no reliable reference to the document can be made for record creation.
* Time can be calculated only after the document has been saved. If changes to your model/drawing are discarded, no time evaluation procedure can take place.
  {% endhint %}

## Command Location

Enabled or disabled in all environments.

## Command Settings <a href="#command-settings" id="command-settings"></a>

*Be.Smart Labs* ribbon -> *Be.Smart T4I Labs* panel -> *Edit Settings* -> *TimeTracker* section

*Be.Smart T4I* ribbon -> *Be.Smart T4I* panel -> *Advanced settings* -> *T4I Labs* tab -> *TimeTracker* section

<figure><img src="/files/s8lWo4pYjfXMwatIO0cu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

*Be.Smart T4I* ribbon -> *Be.Smart T4I* panel -> *Edit settings* -> *T4I Labs* tab -> T*imeTracker* section

<figure><img src="/files/5p746CjDqjT9hnksb98I" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Settings description <a href="#settings-description" id="settings-description"></a>

* *DocIndentificator*
  * This identifies the document in the report. By default, the *Part Number* document property is used. If the *Part Number* is unavailable for the given document, the document's display name is used instead.
* *IdleTime*
  * Default = 1 minute. Defines a time limit for user inactivity, after which the timer resets and starts over.
* *PathToCSV*
  * A path where the CSV file should be stored can be specified here. The default location is `c:\Users\!!!USER!!!\AppData\Roaming\Holixa\T4ILabs\TimeTrackerReports.csv`.
* *TimeTrackerActivated*
  * Boolean
  * De/activates the time tracking. The default value is set to `False`, which means the Time Tracker must be activated before the first use (Inventor restart is needed). Then it works automatically.

## Workflow Example

1. Create a new document.
2. Save the document.
   1. The counter starts.
3. Work on the Inventor document.
4. Save the document.
   1. A new time record is added to the CSV file.
   2. If a user is idle for more than the IdleTime value, the timer resets, and new counting starts with the next document save.

## Known Issues and Limitations

* The name of the *DocIndentificator* variable in settings is incorrect.
* The *DocIndentificator* property is hard-coded to the *Part Number* property. It may be configurable in the future.


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