The Create button on 4 Create Schedule appears only when the division is ready to schedule: it has a Day of First Game, at least 2 teams, enough time slots for its number of teams, and its league isn't archived. Most often the division has fewer time slots than half its teams, for example 4 time slots for 10 teams.

Applies to: Admins and schedulers · All plans · League divisions that use the Create button (not Single Games divisions)

Where: Schedules > Leagues & Divisions > (division) > 4 Create Schedule

What the Create button needs

When something is missing, 4 Create Schedule shows this note instead of the button: "Important Note: Before you click the Create button and use this page, you must complete all required Division Configuration page items, create a minimum of 2 Teams on the Teams page, and create at least one Time Slot on the Time Slots & Location page. When these items are completed, click the Create button to create a schedule."

1. On 1 Configuration > Scheduling, check that Day of First Game is set (for a 2nd Half schedule, its own 2nd Half date).
2. On 2 Teams, check that the division has at least 2 teams.
3. On 3 Time Slots, check that you have at least the minimum number of time slots in the table below. The page also tells you the number, for example "you will need a minimum of 5 time slots per week".
4. If the Time Slot Schedule heading on 3 Time Slots says "You are in Manual Entry Mode", check that Remaining Time Slots Needed is 0 (see below).
5. Go back to 4 Create Schedule and click Create.

Minimum time slots per week

All Teams Play Every Week is the For Schedule choice under Odd Team Division Configuration on 3 Time Slots. It appears when the division has an odd number of teams and plays 1 game per week or Double Header/Different Team.

Manual Entry: Remaining Time Slots Needed

Custom games per week always uses Manual Entry, and other divisions use it after you click Change to Manual Entry on 3 Time Slots. In Manual Entry you tick the boxes in the Time Slot Schedule grid for every game, and Create appears only when Remaining Time Slots Needed reaches 0. The number needed is half the teams times Games Played/Team, rounded up: 10 teams playing 8 games each need 40 ticked boxes. Tick the boxes and click Save, or click Fill to tick the remaining available boxes for you. Change to Standard Entry (not offered for Custom) switches back and resets your ticked boxes.

Fewer fields than half your teams (the extra time slot method)

If you can only play 4 games at a time with 10 teams, you can still get the Create button:

1. On 3 Time Slots, add one more time slot so you reach the minimum (5 for 10 teams). It can be any day, time and location.
2. In the Time Slot Schedule grid, click each green circle in that extra time slot's row so it turns white. A white circle means no game is scheduled there.
3. Go to 4 Create Schedule and click Create.

Each week only 4 games are scheduled and 2 teams sit out, so the schedule runs longer to give every team its games. Check the weeks and byes before you click Calc & Save.

If it doesn't work

• 3 Time Slots has no Add Time Slot button and says "Before you can use this page, you need to complete the Division Configuration page. Make sure you have created all of your teams on the Teams page." Set the Day of First Game and Game Spacing on 1 Configuration, and add at least 2 teams.
• "Your schedule requires Time Slots defined for Game 2. Add or modify a Time Slot and select Game 2." With 2 games per week on different days, choose Game 2 for the second set of time slots.
• Create appears, but a double header schedule "for this Division configuration is not available." Double Header/Different Team schedules are built from a matching pattern. Check your team and time slot counts, or contact TeamSideline support with the division name.
• The button is missing on only one division of a Cross Division pair. Create the schedule from the first division of the pair.
• There's no Create button and no note. The league is archived, or a schedule already exists for this division. To start over, use Delete on 4 Create Schedule (available until a game has been played).
• Clicking Create gives an error about scheduling more than 20 teams. Automatic scheduling of more than 20 teams needs the Enhanced plan or higher, or the Tournament module. You can import the schedule or use Manual instead.

Good to know

• Create can also appear with fewer time slots than the minimum when a saved schedule template matches the division's teams, games and time slots.
• Divisions set up for Auto Assign (Advanced Scheduling) don't need the minimum number of time slots.
• Single Games divisions have no Create button. Add their games one at a time with Add Game.
• Playoff schedules have their own Create button and rules on 4 Create Schedule > Playoff.

Related articles

• Create a Schedule
• Understanding Schedule Configurations
• How to create a different team double header schedule or same team double header schedule
• How to block a week in a schedule
• How to use the Create Schedule Page "Template" feature
• How to make a Playoff Bracket