In this article, you will find everything you need to spot and resolve reservation conflicts directly on your Zenchef planning timeline, so two bookings never share the same table by mistake during service.
Summary
1. Spotting a table conflict
2. Resolving a conflict (Swap, Auto assign, Squeeze, Undo)
3. Troubleshooting & FAQs
4. Support & Related Articles
💡 What you need to know
• You’ll find it in the planning timeline view.
• A conflict is detected when two reservations are assigned to the same table at overlapping times. Only the actual seated time is considered — your turnaround/buffer time between bookings does not trigger a conflict.
• The conflict menu appears automatically when a move you make creates a new overlap.
1. Spotting a table conflict
When a reservation overlaps another on the same table, Zenchef flags it so you can act right away.
1. Open your planning timeline.
2. Move a reservation onto a table that already has a booking at an overlapping time.
3. A conflict appears, highlighted with an orange indicator, and a menu opens automatically next to the reservation you moved.
2. Resolving a conflict
Choose the action that fits the situation — Zenchef applies it instantly and clears the conflict. When the conflict menu opens, you can choose:
Swap table — Swaps the two reservations’ tables. The booking you moved stays on its new table, and the conflicting booking takes the table you just freed up.
Auto assign — Zenchef automatically finds a free, compatible table for the conflicting booking (matching party size, area, and shift). If no suitable table is available, that booking is moved to Unassigned so you can place it manually later.
Squeeze — Shortens the earlier booking so it ends right when the next one starts, keeping both on the table without overlap. (Hidden when it would leave a booking shorter than 15 minutes or when the two bookings start at the same time.)
Undo — Reverts your last move and puts both reservations back exactly where they were.
A confirmation message appears once the action is applied.
3. Common Issues & FAQs
Common Issues
• The menu didn’t appear after I moved a booking: The menu only opens when a move creates a new overlap. If the bookings don’t actually overlap on their seated times, or the overlap already existed before your move, no menu appears.
• The Squeeze option isn’t showing: Squeeze is hidden when it would make a booking shorter than 15 minutes, or when both bookings start at the same time. Use Swap or Auto assign instead.
• Auto assign moved a booking to Unassigned: This happens when no compatible free table was available. Open the Unassigned list to place the booking on a table manually.
FAQ
• How do I cancel a change I just made? Click Undo in the conflict menu right after applying an action — both reservations return to their original tables and times.
• Can I resolve a conflict on a booking that’s already checked in? Yes. All actions remain available even when a guest has already been checked in.
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