---
title: Configure Attendance Codes (read time less than 2 minutes)
description: It is important the attendance codes are configured correctly as this will impact the NEWB returns, and also how VSware compiles SMS recipient lists when sending text messages to unexplained absent st
---

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1. [Help Center](https://support.vsware.ie/en?hsLang=en)
2. [Attendance](https://support.vsware.ie/en/attendance?hsLang=en)
3. [Marking Attendance](https://support.vsware.ie/en/attendance?hsLang=en#marking-attendance)

# Configure Attendance Codes (read time less than 2 minutes)

It is important the attendance codes are configured correctly as this will impact the Tusla returns, and also how VSware compiles SMS recipient lists when sending text messages to unexplained absent students.

**Step 1**  
Logged in with either Principal or Secretary permissions, select Overview\> Attendance\> Attendance Codes

![](https://support.vsware.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-47-42-2757-PM.png?width=1222&height=440&name=image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-47-42-2757-PM.png)

Click New Code

**![](https://support.vsware.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-49-00-1540-PM.png?width=1569&height=327&name=image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-49-00-1540-PM.png)

Step 2**

Populate the popup form as follows:

Attendance Code – enter a code that best represents the mark. E.g. ‘ABS’ for an unexplained absence. This code will appear in attendance reports so it is important it is meaningful yet short. Preferably no more than 3 to 5 characters.

Description – Enter a short description for the attendance code. E.g. ‘Unexplained Absence’.

Tusla Code – select the appropriate code. This will help VSware calculate the Tusla returns.

For info on which code represents what, click [here](https://support.vsware.ie/en/tusla-codes-and-descriptions?hsLang=en)

Report As – select the appropriate value from the dropdown. For instance this helps VSware determine which absent students to send automatic texts to.

Available To Teachers – select ‘Yes’ if you want teachers to have access to this code when they are marking attendance in the classroom. Sometimes schools choose to restrict the available codes to teachers to keep the options simple, instead allowing only administrators to access a more granular list of codes for updating marks.

**Step 3**

Click Save

### Edit an Attendance Code

To edit an existing code, follow the below steps.

**Step 1**

Click the edit ‘pencil’ icon for the appropriate code.

**![](https://support.vsware.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-52-05-1506-PM.png?width=1556&height=407&name=image-png-Jun-04-2026-03-52-05-1506-PM.png)

Step 2**

Edit the values of the popup accordingly.

**Step 3**

Click Save.

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