Show/Hide Overlays - Shifton Help

Control which data layers are visible on the schedule grid using six toggleable overlays. Show or hide shifts, time off, availability, breaks, and more.

What Is This?

The Show/Hide section in the left panel lets you toggle six different data overlays on and off. These overlays determine what types of information appear on the calendar grid alongside employee rows. By default, some overlays are turned on and others are off, but you can customize the view to suit your needs.

Prerequisites

#	Prerequisite	Details
1	Access to the Schedule page	You must have at least one project with a schedule
2	Manager, Admin, or Owner role	Full overlay access requires management permissions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Accessing the Show/Hide Section

Open the Schedule page for your project.

In the left panel, scroll down to the Show/Hide section (below the Schedules list).

You will see six toggle switches.

The Six Overlays

#	Overlay	Default State	Description
1	Show shifts	On	Displays all assigned shifts as colored blocks on the grid. Turn off to hide shift blocks and see other data layers more clearly.
2	Show time off	On	Displays approved time-off entries (vacation, sick leave, etc.) on the grid. Time off typically appears as a distinct colored block or icon.
3	Show unavailability	On	Displays periods when employees have marked themselves as unavailable. Helps you see at a glance when someone cannot work.
4	Show availability	Off	Displays periods when employees have indicated they are available to work. Useful when building schedules around employee preferences.
5	Show breaks	On	Displays break periods within shifts. Breaks appear as a different color or pattern within the shift block.
6	Show activities	Off	Displays activity entries (tasks, activities, or assignments) on the grid. Turn on when you need to see what activities are planned during shifts.

Toggling Overlays

Click the toggle switch next to any overlay to turn it on or off.

The calendar grid updates immediately to reflect the change.

You can enable or disable multiple overlays simultaneously.

How Overlays Interact with the Grid

When multiple overlays are active, their data layers stack on the grid.

Shifts

re the primary layer and appear as the main colored blocks.

Time off

nd unavailability appear as overlapping indicators or separate blocks on top of or alongside shifts.

Availability

ppears as a background shading on the days and times the employee is available.

Breaks

ppear as markers or color changes within shift blocks.

Activities

ppear as additional entries within or alongside shift blocks.

If the grid feels too cluttered, turn off overlays you do not need at the moment.

Access Permissions

Role	View Show/Hide Section	Toggle Overlays
Owner	Yes	Yes
Admin	Yes	Yes
Manager	Yes	Yes
Employee	Limited	Limited

FAQ

Q: Why are some overlays turned off by default?
A: The default settings prioritize the most commonly needed information — shifts, time off, unavailability, and breaks. Availability and activities are off by default to reduce visual clutter, but you can turn them on whenever you need them.

Q: Do overlay settings affect other users?
A: No. Overlay toggles are personal preferences that only change your own view of the schedule.

Q: Can I see availability and shifts at the same time?
A: Yes. Turn on both “Show shifts” and “Show availability” to see assigned shifts alongside employee availability. This is helpful when looking for gaps in coverage or identifying employees who could take additional shifts.

Q: What does unavailability look like on the grid?
A: Unavailability is typically displayed as a shaded or hatched block on the employee’s row, indicating the times they cannot work. The exact appearance may vary depending on your view mode and zoom level.

Possible Issues and Solutions

Issue	Possible Cause	Solution
Grid appears empty even though shifts exist	“Show shifts” is toggled off	Turn on the “Show shifts” overlay
Too much information on the grid	Multiple overlays are active simultaneously	Turn off overlays you do not need at the moment
Time off not visible even though it was approved	“Show time off” is toggled off	Turn on the “Show time off” overlay
Breaks are not showing within shift blocks	“Show breaks” is toggled off	Turn on the “Show breaks” overlay
Availability shading is confusing alongside shifts	Both overlays are active, making the grid cluttered	Turn off “Show availability” when you do not need it, or turn off “Show shifts” temporarily to view availability alone