> 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/manage-an-interview-study/close-a-participant-in-an-interview-study.md).

# Close a participant in an interview study

To prevent participants from scheduling further interview sessions, you can “close” them on the **Manage** tab of your study.

{% hint style="info" %}
Only participants who have *not* completed an interview session can be closed. Participants who have already completed their session won't be able to schedule additional sessions on their own, so there's no need to close them manually.
{% endhint %}

**To close a participant in an interview study:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Find the participant you want to close.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **three-dot icon** beside the participant’s scheduled time.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select **Close scout**. A confirmation modal is displayed.

![](/files/6778e69b90be1c2225b133abfc59d4da429c1508)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Close scout** to confirm.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, the participant will no longer be able to schedule interviews or take part in this study.

{% hint style="info" %}
We recommend sending any participants you “close” a message letting them know. To find example messages to spark inspiration, see [Communicating with participants](/recruit-participants/working-with-participants/communicating-with-participants.md).
{% endhint %}

If you change your mind and wish to re-open a closed participant, you can do so from the **Manage** tab of your study.

**To re-open a participant in an interview study:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Find the participant you want to re-open.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select the checkbox beside the participant’s name.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Message** at the top of the participant list. The messaging sidebar is displayed.

![](/files/2d16dd5efbc82211f30478afbd63c71fc5856b14)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Reopen scout** in the messaging sidebar. A confirmation modal is displayed.

![](/files/761cf734e02b89910f07f6662021b6e73d3d0e71)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Reopen** to confirm.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, the participant is once again able to schedule interview sessions and take part in this study.


---

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