Move, resize and re-time reservations on the timeline

Included in all plansHost AppFor hosts

Needs: Any staff user

On the timeline you can drag a reservation to another table or time, and drag its right edge to change its length. Because a drag can accidentally change the booking time, the Host App asks what you meant whenever the time, date or an overlap is involved.

Where to find it

Host App › Service View › Timeline.

What it does

While you drag, a panel shows Moving from / Moving to, the table and the time, and warns Overlap with the name of the booking you would run into. When you release:

  • Only the table changes (same start time, no overlap): the move is saved straight away.
  • The start time or date changes: a dialog asks you to confirm.
    • If the table changes too ("You're adjusting the start time or table"): Only move table keeps the start time (recommended if you only meant to change table), Apply new start time and table saves both, Keep original time and date discards the drag.
    • If only the time/date changes ("You're changing the reservation's time or date"): Apply new time and date or Keep original time and date.
  • The new spot overlaps another booking:
    • If the dragged booking would run into a later booking and a shorter stay fits, the Shorter reservation time dialog offers to shorten it: adjust the Duration with − / + (up to "Max … min before the next booking", in 15-minute steps) and choose Yes, shorten to … min, or No, keep … min (both bookings then overlap on this table). Switch tables may also be offered.
    • Otherwise you choose Keep both on this table (an intentional double booking), Switch tables (the other booking moves to the table you came from), or Keep original time and date.
  • The party does not fit on the table you dropped it on: "Party not fully seated" shows how many guests are covered. Drag to more table rows to add tables, or choose Approve shortage to keep it on the smaller table.

How to change the duration

  1. Grab the right edge of the block (Resize duration).
  2. Drag left or right; the duration snaps to 5-minute steps.
  3. Release to save.

Good to know

  • On a touch screen, press and hold a block for about half a second before dragging. A quick swipe pans the timeline instead.
  • Switch tables is only offered when the dragged booking sits on a single table and the other booking is on the table you dropped onto.
  • Walk-ins waiting to be confirmed on the timeline (orange "Walk-in … PAX" blocks) can also be dragged to another time or table before you confirm them.
  • Changing time, table or duration here is the same as editing the reservation: it is recorded in the reservation's Activity.
  • If you change the date or time of a booking that has a guest email and is not yet seated, the guest automatically receives a "reservation updated" email. Moving tables or changing the duration never emails the guest. No email is sent for seated, completed, cancelled or no-show bookings.

Troubleshooting

I only wanted to change the table but the time changed too Next time choose Only move table in the confirmation dialog. To undo now, open the reservation and set the original time back (see "Edit a reservation in the Host App").

The drag snaps back You chose Keep original time and date, or the save failed ("Could not complete drop"). Check your connection and try again.

I can't drag a seated party With Lightspeed POS connected, a seated party with an open check must be moved in the POS. A dialog explains this and offers Do it anyway (valid for 2 minutes). See "Lightspeed POS indicators in the Host App".

Dragging on the iPad scrolls the timeline instead of moving the booking Hold your finger still on the block for about half a second until it lifts, then drag.