Shift Optimizer: a Google Sheets add-on
Coming soon to the Google Workspace Marketplace (in Google's review). Meanwhile the same solver runs on the web: 24/7 shift schedule maker.
What it does
You list your shifts (with their real clock times), how many people each post needs on each
shift, and who can cover what. Press Optimize roster and the add-on writes a new tab,
Roster, saying who works every day and night shift. It respects minimum rest between
shifts, maximum consecutive days and nights, no day shift the morning after a night, skills and each
person's availability.
It is not an AI guessing: it is the same optimization solver (mixed-integer programming, HiGHS) that runs in the web version. If there are not enough people, you still get a roster, with the unfilled posts named, instead of an unhelpful “infeasible”.
Getting started
- Open a new spreadsheet and go to Extensions → Shift Optimizer → Optimize shifts.
- Pick an example (hospital ward, 3-shift plant, security post, fire station, service desk) and press Insert example tabs.
- Replace the data with yours, keeping the tab and column names, and press Optimize roster.
The workbook layout is explained in detail on the shift schedule maker page.
Limits
Up to 60 people, 42 days, 12 shifts and 12 posts per run. A 28-day roster usually solves in 15 to 60 seconds.
Privacy
The add-on can only read the spreadsheet you open it in, and only sends it when you press a button. I do not keep your spreadsheet: it is used to compute the roster and then discarded. Full details in the privacy policy.
Support
Email me at mario@kindoflost.com.