creating Time Book Need help

I'm developing a time book in Access 2007 for my peers. Most of the
functionality is biult and works fine. the stumbling block is the Interface
or the form. the users want an interface very much like what the have now.
What they have now: a spread sheet with dates across the top and employees
down the left. all they input is the absence code (AL Annual leave, SL Sick
leave, &c) for that day.
what we are adding: the shift start and end times, unit, & position.
So in a perfect world I would have a grid, with 14 days (one payperiod)
across the top, employees down the left and Shift start and end, Unit,
Position and Absence code for each employee for each day.
I have had the hardest time making this do even the simple absence code. I
simply cannot figure out how to make it work. Help is much appreciated at
this point.
Any ideas?