5 ways to track your return-to-office days, compared.

By the OfficeComply team · Updated

Short answer

The most reliable way to track return-to-office days is a dedicated RTO tracker app that knows your rule and logs office days automatically. A spreadsheet or calendar works if you are disciplined, but both need manual entry and neither tells you how many days are left.

Hybrid policies ask for a number of office days per week, a monthly count, or a percentage of working days. Whatever the rule, you need a running answer to two questions: how many days have I done, and how many do I still need? Here is how the common methods compare.

The five methods

  1. 1. A dedicated RTO tracker app (OfficeComply)

    Best for: People who want the count kept for them, with no manual upkeep.

    An RTO tracker app stores your office-day rule and turns each logged day into progress, days remaining, and a clear next step. OfficeComply on iPhone can log an office day automatically when you arrive at the office you pinned, and it keeps all data on your device.

    • Pros: automatic logging, rule-aware progress, reminders, CSV/PDF reports.
    • Cons: iPhone and iPad only; automatic logging and planning are part of OfficeComply Pro.

  2. 2. A spreadsheet

    Best for: People who enjoy building their own formulas.

    A spreadsheet with one row per workday and a COUNTIF formula can track office days for free. It works until you miss a day of entry, and percentage rules with holidays or rolling windows quickly need complex formulas.

    • Pros: free, flexible, easy to share.
    • Cons: fully manual, no reminders, easy to forget on busy weeks.

  3. 3. Calendar events

    Best for: People who already live in their calendar.

    Adding an "Office" all-day event on each office day leaves a visible trail. Counting them at month-end is tedious, and a calendar cannot tell you whether you are still on track.

    • Pros: no new app, visible to you alongside meetings.
    • Cons: no totals, no target, counting is manual.

  4. 4. Your employer’s badge or HR portal

    Best for: Checking the official record your company uses.

    Badge-in data is usually the record your employer relies on, so it is worth checking. It is often delayed, hard to access, and rarely shows how many days you still need this period.

    • Pros: official, no effort from you.
    • Cons: often not visible to employees in real time, no planning help.

  5. 5. Notes app or paper

    Best for: A quick temporary tally.

    A running tally in a notes app is fast to start, but it has no structure, no reminders, and no way to handle leave or holidays fairly.

    • Pros: instant, zero setup.
    • Cons: error-prone, no history or reports.

The takeaway

Use your employer’s system as the official record, and use a personal tracker so you are never surprised by it. If you want the counting done for you, OfficeComply logs office days automatically on iPhone and shows exactly how many days you have left.

Get OfficeComply on the App Store

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to track office days?
The easiest way is an app that logs office days automatically. OfficeComply for iPhone records an office day when you arrive at your pinned office, so you do not need to remember to log it.
Can I track RTO days in Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Add one row per workday with a status column and use COUNTIF to count office days. You will need to update it every day and add formulas for percentage rules and holidays.
Is my badge data the same as my own tracking?
Not always. Badge data is your employer’s official record and may count days differently. Keep your own record to plan ahead, and check the official one when it matters.

This guide is general information, not legal, employment, or HR advice. Your employer’s written policy and official records always take precedence.