With Availability (formerly Active Scheduler), appointment facilitators can set their own availability windows within a given date range.

This availability powers a Scheduler portal widget.

In a portal, this widget displays Scheduler slots—the aggregate of the schedules your appointment facilitators define in Availability. We cover the portal in the next article in this series.

Step 1: Creating a new schedule

1. From the main navigation, select Events.

2. Select Availability.

3. Select New Schedule. A popup appears.

4. Configure the following settings:

   • Name: Enter a name for the schedule

   • Start Date: When availability begins

   • End Date: When availability ends

   • Folder: Keep schedules organized by placing them in a folder. Appointment facilitators will only see their availability in Availability by default.

   • User: If you have Active Scheduler Administrator permission, select from the list of user accounts. Otherwise, this field is limited to the currently logged in user (you).
     
     

5. Select the Scheduler tab.

6. Configure the following settings:

   • Duration: Set a length for individual appointments, rounded up to 5 minute increments. In the next field, set the time interval when users can book appointments. In our example, meetings are 30 minutes, but users can book a meeting from 2:15-2:45 PM.

   • Registration Deadline: Enter the time when registration will close prior to an appointment. This value is in minutes and is rounded up in 5 minute increments.

   • Break time: Enter a buffer period in minutes to be added before and after confirmed sessions.

7. Select the Location tab.

8. Select a time zone from the list.
   
   

9. Select Save.

Step 2: Adding availability to the schedule

Select the newly created schedule. You’re directed to the summary page for the schedule, where you can add availability windows.

Adding regular availability

Regular availability includes the days and times you’re generally available.

If you integrated your external calendar with a two-way sync, Slate automatically removes the specific dates and times you’ve marked as busy from this availability.

Add availability for a day, select +. A time range appears.

Select + again to add another time range.

Adding special availability

Special availability includes days when your availability differs from your regular schedule.

If you’ve integrated your external calendar with a two-way sync, Slate removes times when you're busy or away. Most users don't need to specify dates with special availability.

Add availability for a day, select +. A time range appears.

Select + again to add another date or time range.

Next up: Displaying availability in a portal

When users have added their schedules to Availability, you can display the net availability of these users together in a portal, where students can register for appointments.

➡️ Display Availability in a Portal