How To - Managing Tables


The Manage Tables section within the site setup of the Tables Admin platform allows you to configure the default turn times and cover levels for their tables.

Key features include:

  • Setting the default turn times for different party sizes, such as 2 hours for 1-4 covers and 2.5 hours for 4-6 covers.

  • Defining the cover level thresholds, so the system knows when to apply the different turn time rules (e.g. switch from 2 hour to 2.5 hour turn times at 4 covers).

  • Customising the turn times for different meal periods, like 1.5 hours for breakfast tables of 1-3 covers, 2 hours for 4-5 covers, etc. This allows you to optimise table usage and ensure tables are turned over efficiently based on your unique service needs.

The Manage Tables window is separated into four tab pages:

  • Tables

  • Turn Times

  • Layouts

  • Plans


Tables tab

The tables tab allows you to add new table numbers and change the table names if required. Click Edit to open the Edit Tables window.


If using the Aztec Table Management System, you must only use numerical table names and the table numbers must match those defined in your theme. To check which table numbers are added to your theme, log into Theme Modelling at site and select Site Table Plans. Select the appropriate table plan(s) and note the table numbers used.


Aztec Table Numbers

The Aztec Table Numbers section allows you to configure Tables to read the table numbers directly from Aztec. By enabling this setting, Tables is always up-to-date with all changes to table numbers that are made in Aztec. If this results in additional table numbers being added to the Tables app they will adopt the default cover size of 1-2.



When you select the Automatically Use Aztec Table Numbers check-box, Tables saves the setting and returns you to the main Manage Tables window. When you subsequently select the Edit option, the list of tables are greyed out as shown below. If you need to change the tables numbers you can do so within Aztec.


This change takes effect immediately, so if this setting is enabled while guests are assigned / seated at site they may be unassigned / unseated.

If using Aztec Table Management, please only use numerical table names.



Bulk Adding tables

The Bulk Add section allows you to add multiple tables in one easy step. To do this, enter the first and last table number and the system creates all the tables in between. Select Add Tables to confirm.



Adding & Removing single tables

The Tables section allows you to add single tables with a single press, by selecting Add New Table. You can also use the check-boxes to multi-select tables for deletion.



Turn Times

A table turn time refers to the expected duration a table will be occupied by a party of guests before it becomes available again for the next reservation. Turn times are an important consideration in restaurant management to ensure efficient table usage and seating capacity.

The Turn Times tab allows you to configure the default turn times based on the number of covers (guests) at each table. For example, they may set a 2 hour turn time for tables of 1-4 covers, and a 2.5 hour turn time for tables of 4-6 covers. This allows the system to automatically apply the appropriate turn time based on the party size when a reservation is made. It helps the business optimise table availability and turnover to maximise seating capacity, without sacrificing the dining experience for customers.

You can also set different turn times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service to account for varying customer needs during different meal periods.



Defining Turn Times



You can define a default for each table size, and specify a different time for each available session if required. The default will apply unless the session has a time defined.

  1. Select Add Turn Times to create turn times for tables of different sizes or select Edit to modify existing turn times.

  2. Enter or edit the turn time name

  3. Select Insert New to define turn times for a table size of 1.
    Every time you select Insert New, the system increments the table size up by one.

  4. Define a default for each table size and specify the appropriate time for each available session if required. The default will apply unless the session has a time defined.

  5. Select Save to record your changes



Layouts Tab



  1. Select Add Layout to create a new one, or Edit an existing table layout.

  2. If your new layout will be similar to an existing one, select Copy to create a duplicate; you can then edit the name and layout of the duplicate as appropriate.



  3. Select the Tables tab to define the minimum and maximum number of covers that can be served on each table as required.
  4. Select the Unavailable for Auto-assign check-box for any table that you want to reserve for walk-in customers. These tables can be identified on the table plan by a ‘W’ overlay as shown here:
  5. Select Attributes + to add an attribute tag.
  6. Select Save when complete.

You can also use the Table Joins tab to configure which tables can be joined together, and how many covers the joined table can accommodate.



Select Save when complete.


If you subsequently remove a table that is part of a joined table, the table join is deleted automatically.


Plans Tab

The Plans tab allows you to create a Tables plan that groups together specific turn times and table layouts. This allows you to save different combinations of table layouts / turn times for specific events, such as only offering tables for 2 on Valentine’s day.



  1. Select Add Plan to create a new or Edit an existing plan.

  2. Enter the name of the plan

  3. Select the Turn Time and Table Layout settings as required.

  4. Select Set default alongside the plan you want to be applied by default.