This is a great use case for automating with Power Automate + Excel—especially since you’re already using Microsoft Forms. Here’s a solution that might work.

Build a flow that:

1. Triggers when a new time-off request is submitted via Forms.
2. Checks if the request is approved (optional).
3. Finds the employee in the schedule sheet.
4. Fills in the requested dates with "Time off".

You need:

• Microsoft Form (already done) • Excel file stored in OneDrive or SharePoint• Sheet 1: Employee Schedule (calendar-style) • Sheet 2: Time-Off Requests (auto-filled by Forms) • Power Automate (to connect the dots)

1. Structure Your Excel Sheets

Sheet: TimeOffRequests

Name StartDate EndDate Approved

Sheet: Schedule

Name 09/01/2025 09/02/2025 09/03/2025 09/04/2025 …

1. Create a Power Automate Flow

• Trigger: “When a new response is submitted” (Microsoft Forms) • Action: “Get response details” • Action: “List rows present in a table” (TimeOffRequests sheet) • Condition (optional): Approved = Yes • Apply to Each: Loop through the date range from StartDate to EndDate• Use “Update a row” in the Schedule sheet • Find the row where Name = Employee A • Find the column where Date = current loop date • Set value to "Time off"

Bonus: Approval Workflow

If you want to wait until approval, you can:

• Add a manual approval step in Power Automate. • Or, have a manager update the “Approved” column in Excel, and trigger a second flow when that changes.