> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/create-an-interview-study/manage-time-slots-in-an-interview-study.md).
# Manage time slots in an interview study
Before participants can schedule interviews as part of your study, you’ll need to create time slots for them to choose from. You’ll do this on the **Schedule** view of your study's **Setup** tab. Dscout lets you either generate time slots in bulk or add them manually.
## Generate time slots in bulk
The fastest way to create time slots in your study is to generate them in bulk. First, you’ll set a designated window of availability on select days, then you’ll assign moderators once the time slots have been generated.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Schedule** view.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Filter schedule view**, select a **Moderator** to assign to your bulk generated sessions.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can generate time slots without designating a moderator, but you will need to manually assign a moderator to each session later.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Session details**, set a desired **Session length**. We recommend conducting sessions between 30 minutes and an hour.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Confirm**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Bulk generate time slots**, use the calendar to select the days on which you want to create time slots.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Set a window of availability using the time range selectors.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Set a length of time to include between each scheduled time slot. You can set a minimum break of zero minutes and a maximum of one hour.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Generate time slots**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Time slots are now automatically added to the calendar on your selected days and assigned to your designated moderator. Click a session to make edits, including assigning it to another moderator. Or, click the **Delete (trash)** icon to remove it from the calendar entirely.
{% hint style="info" %}
Use the **Require advance notice** drop-down in the left sidebar to ensure participants don’t claim a time slot at the last minute. For more information, see [Require advance notice](#h_01K2ZC0M96S88G3QA6WT22B991).
{% endhint %}
When you’re satisfied with your new session availability, click **Publish** in the top right corner to make your time slots available to participants.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Participants will not see new time slots until you publish them. If you haven’t launched your study yet, your time slots will automatically be published when you do. However, if you add time slots after launch, you’ll need to publish them manually.
{% endhint %}
## Manually create time slots
If you only need to add one or two additional time slots to your study, you can do so manually.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Schedule** view.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Filter schedule view**, select a **Moderator** to assign to your new sessions.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can add time slots without designating a moderator, but you will need to manually assign a moderator to each session.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Session details**, set a desired **Session length**. We recommend conducting sessions between 30 minutes and an hour.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Confirm**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click on the calendar where you want to add a session.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
A new session is added at your chosen time. Click the session to edit its time, adjust the time slot’s moderators, or to delete the time slot entirely. Once you’re satisfied with your changes, click **Publish time slots** to make them available to your participants.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Participants will not see new time slots until you publish them. If you haven’t launched your study yet, your time slots will automatically be published when you do. However, if you add time slots after launch, you’ll need to publish them manually.
{% endhint %}
## Require advance notice
While flexibility is often important when conducting interviews, it’s also important that participants don’t book sessions without enough notice for you or another moderator to join them.
To help ensure no sessions are scheduled too late, you can set a window of time before the start of a given time slot when participants are no longer able to claim it.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Schedule** view.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Require advance notice**, enter the number of hours you want as notice for newly scheduled sessions.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, participants will not be able to schedule new sessions within the window you’ve specified. For example, if you have an open time slot at 11 am but require an hour’s notice, participants won’t be able to claim that time slot after 10 am.
## View time slots by moderator
Even if you’re not adding new time slots, the **Schedule** view can give you a glimpse at time slots assigned to each moderator in your study.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Schedule** view.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Filter schedule view**, select the **Moderator** whose time slots you want to view.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now the calendar shows only the time slots assigned to your selected moderator. You can select multiple moderators from the **Moderator** drop-down to compare assigned time slots.
{% hint style="info" %}
Select **Unassigned time slots** from the **Moderator** drop-down to view time slots that don’t have an assigned moderator. This can help you quickly assign sessions to members of your team.
{% endhint %}
## Assign time slots to a moderator
An interview session wouldn’t be complete without a moderator. If you didn’t assign a moderator when you created the time slots, you’ll need to manually assign one later.
{% hint style="info" %}
To quickly assign time slots to a moderator, select both the moderator and **Unassigned time slots** under **Filter schedule view**. Then, click an unassigned time slot and select **Assign to selected moderator**.
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Schedule** view.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click the time slot you want to assign to a moderator. The time slot’s details are displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select a moderator from the **Moderator(s)** drop-down.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, that time slot is assigned to your chosen moderator. They’ll receive a calendar invite when a participant selects that time slot for a session.
## Create overlapping availability
If you have multiple moderators available at once, you can create time slots with overlapping availability. Simply create the time slots on your study's calendar as you normally would, then assign the time slots to the necessary moderators, ensuring no moderator is assigned to two sessions that overlap.
Once you publish your time slots, participants will be able to choose whichever time slot works best for them.
## Manually schedule an interview session
While the bulk of your sessions will be scheduled by participants selecting an available time slot, you can also manually schedule a session with an individual participant. This is helpful if the participant’s schedule is unpredictable or if you want to make an exception to your availability without making it public to all participants.
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study. A list of your study's participants is displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Find the participant you want to schedule a session with.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Under **Scheduled time**, click **Schedule now**. The scheduling modal is displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select the **Manual** view, then enter the desired **Date** and **Time** for the session.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Confirm**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, your session is scheduled. The participant and any assigned moderators will receive a calendar invite with the details.
---
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