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🚀 Getting Started

❓ What is FET Timetable Explorer?
FET Timetable Explorer is a visual web-based tool that complements FET (Free Timetabling Software). While FET generates optimal timetables automatically, our tool provides an intuitive interface for viewing, editing, sharing, and printing those timetables. Think of it as the visual editor that FET never had!
💡 How do I get started?

Easy! Follow these steps:

  • Try the Demo: Visit /demo to explore without signing up
  • Create Account: Sign up for free to save your timetables
  • Import Data: Export your FET timetable as CSV and import it
  • Visualize & Edit: Use drag-and-drop to adjust activities
  • Share: Create public or private access links
📥 How do I import my FET timetable?

First, export your timetable from FET as a CSV file. Then:

  • Go to your dashboard (/timetables)
  • Click "Upload CSV" button
  • Select your exported CSV file
  • The system will automatically parse and display your timetable

Supported formats: TimeTable.csv from FET export

✨ Key Features

What can I do with FET Timetable Explorer?

🖱️ Drag-and-Drop Editing: Move activities between time slots and days visually
⚡ Conflict Detection: Instantly see scheduling conflicts for teachers, rooms, and student groups
👥 Team Collaboration: Share timetables with colleagues using access tokens with custom permissions
🔒 Activity Locking: Lock finalized activities to prevent accidental changes
🖨️ Professional Printing: Create beautiful printable timetables with custom branding
🌍 Multi-Language: Available in multiple languages for global institutions
🎨 Can I customize colors and appearance?

Yes! You can:

  • Customize subject colors for better visual organization
  • Add your institution logo and name
  • Configure print layout colors and fonts
  • Toggle between compact and detailed view modes

✏️ Editing & Managing Timetables

🖱️ How does drag-and-drop work?

Simply click and hold on any activity, then drag it to a new time slot or day. The system will:

  • Check for conflicts automatically
  • Show a warning if conflicts exist
  • Allow you to override in Tolerant mode (or block in Restrict mode)
  • Save changes immediately to the database

Note: Locked activities cannot be dragged without unlock permission.

⚠️ What are "Conflicts" and how are they detected?

A conflict occurs when:

  • A teacher is assigned to multiple activities at the same time
  • A room is double-booked
  • A student group has overlapping classes

Conflicts are shown in:

  • Red warning badges on activities
  • Validation summary accessible via the Validate button
  • Alert modal when attempting to save conflicting changes
🔓 What is the difference between Restrict Mode and Tolerant Mode?
  • Restrict Mode: Prevents saving or moving activities that would create conflicts. Strict enforcement.
  • Tolerant Mode: Allows conflicts but shows warnings. Useful when you need flexibility during manual adjustments.

Toggle between modes using the switch in the toolbar. Private access tokens can enforce Restrict Mode via permissions.

🔒 How do I lock/unlock activities?

Click the ⋮ menu on any activity and select "Lock" or "Unlock". Locked activities:

  • Cannot be dragged or edited
  • Show a dashed border for visual indication
  • Can only be unlocked by users with permission

This is useful for protecting finalized portions of your timetable.

📋 Can I clone or duplicate activities?
Yes! Click the ⋮ menu on any activity and select "Clone". This creates an identical copy that you can then drag to a different time slot. Perfect for recurring activities or quickly creating similar classes.

🤝 Sharing & Collaboration

🔗 How do I share my timetable?

Open your timetable and click the "Manage Access" button. You can create two types of access tokens:

  • Public Tokens: View-only access, perfect for students or public display
  • Private Tokens: Customizable permissions (edit, create, delete, lock) for team members

Each token generates a unique URL that can be shared via email, messaging, or embedded.

🔐 What permissions can I grant with Private Tokens?

Private tokens support granular permissions:

  • View: See the timetable (always enabled)
  • Edit: Modify existing activities
  • Create: Add new activities
  • Delete: Remove activities
  • Update Locked: Edit/move/delete locked activities
  • Restrict Mode: Enforce conflict prevention
  • Enable Print: Access print/export features
🗓️ Can I set expiration dates for access tokens?
Yes! When creating or editing a token, you can set an expiration date. After that date, the token will automatically become invalid and the link will no longer work. Perfect for temporary collaborators or semester-based access.

🖨️ Printing & Export

📄 How do I print timetables?

Click the "Print" button to access the print page. You can:

  • Print the full master timetable
  • Print individual teacher schedules
  • Print student group schedules
  • Print room schedules

Customize layout, colors, orientation, and add your institution branding before printing.

🎨 Can I customize print layouts?

Absolutely! The print page offers extensive customization:

  • Portrait or Landscape orientation
  • Show/hide legends, conflicts, and activity details
  • Adjust font sizes for titles, headers, and activity text
  • Add institution logo and name
  • Custom colors for headers and cells

🔧 Technical & Troubleshooting

💾 Where is my data stored?
  • Authenticated Users: Data is stored in the Drupal database, associated with your user account
  • Demo Mode: Data is stored in your browser's localStorage (not persistent across devices)
  • Backups: You can generate and download backup files from the Backup Manager

All data is private by default and only accessible via your account or shared access tokens you create.

🔄 Can I export my timetable back to FET?
Currently, you can export timetables as CSV files for backup purposes. Direct export back to FET format (.fet XML) is planned for a future update. You can use the CSV data to manually update your FET file or use it with other tools.
⚠️ What if I accidentally delete or change something?

Use the Backup Manager (available in Settings) to:

  • Create manual backups before major changes
  • Restore from any previous backup
  • Download backup files for external storage

Tip: Enable automatic backups in Settings for peace of mind!

🌐 Which browsers are supported?

FET Timetable Explorer works best on modern browsers:

  • Chrome/Edge (version 90+)
  • Firefox (version 88+)
  • Safari (version 14+)

Mobile browsers are supported for viewing, but editing is optimized for desktop/tablet.

🐛 I found a bug or have a feature request. How do I report it?

We welcome feedback! You can:

Please include: browser version, steps to reproduce, and screenshots if applicable.

Still Have Questions?

Try the demo or get started with your own timetable today!

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