---
title: Widget settings
description: In the Widget settings section, you can choose how online reservations are confirmed. There are three reservation confirmation options, each with different levels of automation and control.
---

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1. [Tablein self service portal](https://help.tablein.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Accepting online bookings](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en)
3. [Widget Settings](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en#widget-settings)

# Widget settings

#### Explanation of Reservation Confirmation Settings

In the [**Widget settings**](https://admin.tablein.com/settings/online-reservations/widget-settings) section, you can choose how online reservations are confirmed. There are **three reservation confirmation options**, each with different levels of automation and control.

### ✅ Automatic Confirmation (Recommended)

When this option is selected, **all reservations are confirmed instantly** as soon as the guest submits the booking form.

- Guests immediately receive a confirmation email.
- No manual action is needed from the restaurant.
- Reduces administrative work and provides the smoothest user experience.
- Guests can still modify or cancel their reservations online (based on the timing rules you’ve set).

**Best for:** Busy restaurants or those wanting to fully automate the booking process.

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-03-14-png-1.png?width=642&height=569&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-03-14-png-1.png)

### ![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-01-50-png.png?width=355&height=285&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-01-50-png.png)

A **reservation summary** showing:

- 👤 **Name**
- 👥 **Party size**
- 📅 **Date and time**
- 🔢 **Reservation number**

### What happens next:

- The reservation is automatically saved and confirmed in the system.
- The guest receives an immediate confirmation email.
- No manual approval or email confirmation is needed.

### 📨 Guest Confirmation

With guest confirmation, the **guest must confirm the reservation via email** after submitting it.

- The reservation is pending until the guest confirms it.
- An additional setting appears:  
  **“How many days before arrival send re-confirmation email”** – used to remind the guest to reconfirm reservation.
- **We recommend encouraging guests to book at least 2 days in advance** to ensure they receive a reconfirmation email and avoid any confusion or missed notifications.

**Best for:** Reducing no-shows and making sure guests are committed.

![Screenshot 2025-04-18 at 09.04.27](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009.04.27.png?width=656&height=603&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009.04.27.png)

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2012-32-39-png.png?width=289&height=230&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2012-32-39-png.png)

A **reservation summary** showing:

- 👤 **Name**
- **Party size**
- 📅 **Date and time**
- 🔢 **Reservation number**

### What happens next:

- The guest receives an **email with a confirmation link**.
- Once they click the link, the reservation is marked as confirmed in the system.
- They will also receive a follow-up email confirming the booking.

If a **re-confirmation email** is enabled, it will be sent again X days before the reservation (as configured in widget settings).

### ✋ Manual Restaurant Confirmation

When this setting is active, **all reservation requests require manual approval** by the restaurant.

- The guest submits a request but does not receive an instant confirmation.
- The restaurant must manually review and confirm each booking.
- Once approved, a confirmation email is sent to the guest.
- This method gives the restaurant full control over each reservation, which can be helpful during busy periods, for special occasions, or if availability changes frequently.

**Best for:** Restaurants with limited capacity, special events, or when bookings need extra review.

![Screenshot 2025-04-18 at 09.05.27](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009.05.27.png?width=667&height=590&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009.05.27.png)

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-07-12-png.png?width=421&height=359&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-07-12-png.png)

A **reservation summary** showing:

- 👤 **Name**
- 👥 **Party size**
- 📅 **Date and time**
- 🔢 **Reservation number**

### What happens next:

- The reservation is not yet confirmed.
- The restaurant will review the request and either approve or decline it.
- The guest will receive an email with the next steps, based on the restaurant's decision.

#### Additional Settings Visible in Widget Settings:

- **Minimum/Maximum guests to book online:** Set how many people can book a table via the widget.
- **How many days ahead allow reservations:** Limit how far in advance guests can book.
- **How many minutes before arrival can you accept/modify/cancel reservations:** Define cut-off times to manage short-notice changes.
- **Allow guest to choose dining room:** Guests can select a specific dining area (if enabled).
- **Activate the widget’s waiting list function:** When fully booked, guests can join a waiting list instead of seeing no availability.

#### 🧑‍💻 Guest View Example

Once the widget is configured, guests will see:

1. **Available dates** (based on your reservation settings)
2. A dropdown to select the **number of guests** (within your defined min/max range)
3. A list of **available time slots** based on your opening hours and availability

A **"Continue"** button to proceed to the contact details and confirmation step

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-05-44-png.png?width=430&height=394&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2009-05-44-png.png)

 What happens next depends on your selected **Reservation Confirmation** settings:

- **Automatic:** Guest receives instant confirmation.
- **Guest confirmation:** Guest must confirm via email.
- **Manual confirmation:** Guest sees a pending status until you approve.

#### ⏳ Join the Waiting List – When No Tables Are Available

When all tables are booked for a selected time, the system offers guests the option to **join the waiting list** instead of seeing a “fully booked” message.

### What the guest sees:

- Available dates and time slots are still visible, but marked with **“Waitlist”** instead of showing direct availability.
- Guests can still select their preferred **time and area** (e.g., Main area, Ground floor).
- A button appears at the bottom:  
  **"Join the waiting list →"**

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-13-24-png.png?width=443&height=421&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-13-24-png.png)

#### 📝 Waiting List Request – Contact Details and Preferences

![](https://help.tablein.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-14-09-png.png?width=246&height=387&name=Screenshot%202025-04-18%20at%2013-14-09-png.png)

After selecting a time marked as **Waitlist**, the guest is   
directed to a form to submit their **contact details** and any **special preferences**.

### What happens next:

- Once the guest clicks **Continue**, their request is added to the waitlist.
- The restaurant team is notified and can manually confirm the reservation if space becomes available.
- The guest will be contacted via email or phone once their booking is confirmed.

- [Setting up the system](https://help.tablein.com/setting-up-the-system?hsLang=en#main-content)

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- [Accepting online bookings](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Widget Settings](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en#widget-settings)
    - [Widget Integration](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en#widget-integration)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://help.tablein.com/accepting-online-bookings?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
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    - [Reservation list](https://help.tablein.com/reservation-management?hsLang=en#reservation-list)
    - [Calendar](https://help.tablein.com/reservation-management?hsLang=en#calendar)
    - [Floor Plan](https://help.tablein.com/reservation-management?hsLang=en#floor-plan)
    - [Settings explained](https://help.tablein.com/reservation-management?hsLang=en#settings-explained)
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    - [Payments and events settings explained](https://help.tablein.com/prepayments-events?hsLang=en#payments-and-events-settings-explained)
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