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Upload BrightHR data to Xero

UpSheets connects BrightHR attendance and absence data to Xero Payroll. You can import Blip clockings as timesheets and approved absences as leave requests, then validate and upload them to Xero. You can import in two ways:
  • CSV export – download Blip Timesheet or Absence Report files from BrightHR and import them through Import Files. This gets you started quickly with minimal setup.
  • BrightHR integration – connect once with a Client ID and Client Secret, then pull data by date range without exporting files.

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Before you start

  1. Register for an UpSheets account if you do not already have one.
  2. Connect the Xero organisation you want to upload to.
  3. For the BrightHR integration only, you also need BrightHR administrator access to create API credentials.

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Connect UpSheets to Xero

Select Organisations from the menu and connect your Xero organisation (or click Connect to Xero after sign-in). See Connecting to Xero.

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What UpSheets imports from BrightHR

Open clockings without a clock-out are skipped. Break time is subtracted from hours. Lateness is not imported as leave.

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Import BrightHR CSV files

Start here to get going quickly with minimal setup: export a report from BrightHR, then import the file into UpSheets.

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Download from BrightHR

Export the BrightHR report you need:
  • Blip Timesheet for Xero timesheets
  • Absence Report for Xero leave requests

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Import the file into UpSheets

  1. Select Import Files from the menu.
  2. Upload the BrightHR CSV.
  3. Choose the transaction type, earnings rate option, and other import options.
  4. Map columns, Validate, then Upload to Xero.
Full steps and earnings rate options: Import BrightHR CSV files.

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Connect the BrightHR integration

Use the integration to remove the need for CSV files and to import Blip clockings and approved absences for specific employees and a date range, ready for upload.

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Create API credentials in BrightHR

Sign in to BrightHR as an administrator, then:
  1. Go to My Account > API Access > Manage API Keys.
  2. Click Create.
  3. Enter an application name (for example UpSheets), then click Create Application.
  4. Note the Client ID.
  5. Click Create Secret and copy the Client Secret.
Store the Client Secret securely. BrightHR only shows it once.

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Enter credentials in UpSheets

  1. Select Integrations from the menu.
  2. Open the BrightHR tab.
  3. Enter the Client ID and Client Secret, then save.
Once saved, the integration is enabled and BrightHR appears as a data source on the Import screen.
Full steps: Connect BrightHR.

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Import and upload from the integration

After the integration is enabled:
  1. Open Import Files (or your usual import entry point) and select BrightHR as the data source.
  2. Leave Employees empty to import everyone, or choose specific employees (faster for large teams; the selection is remembered).
  3. Set From and To dates (up to 31 days – BrightHR limits each clockings query to 31 days).
  4. Choose transaction types (Timesheets and/or Leave) and any other import options.
  5. Click Import Data, map columns if needed, then Validate.
  6. Review the results, then click Upload to send the data to Xero Payroll.
Import one month at a time. UpSheets converts your selected dates using the organisation timezone so a full calendar month stays within BrightHR’s 31-day limit.
Full steps: Import data from BrightHR.

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Optional: Smart Formulas for award and penalty rates

If you need earnings rates, overtime, or allowances calculated from start/end times (for example modern awards), set up Smart Formulas before or alongside your BrightHR imports.
Smart Formulas are currently available in Australia only.

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Set up from the Award Library

Copy a pre-built formula from the Award Library into your organisation, review the rules, then publish.
See Award Library.

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Assign Smart Formulas to employees

Assign the published formula to the employees who should use it.

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Upload timesheets with Smart Formulas

Import BrightHR (or CSV) data with start/end times, validate so Smart Formulas can calculate lines, then upload to Xero.

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Smart Formula settings

Check source, assessment period, and related options under Smart Formulas.
See Smart Formula settings.

Import BrightHR CSV files

File-based Blip Timesheet and Absence Report import.

Connect BrightHR

Create BrightHR API credentials and enable the integration in UpSheets.

Import data from BrightHR

Pull Blip clockings and absences by date range, then upload to Xero.

Smart Formulas overview

Calculate earnings rates and allowances from timesheet times.

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Full video playlist

Watch the complete series on Loom: Upsheets: Uploading from BrightHR to Xero.