The editing lock and taking control
Only one person can edit a chart at a time. Here's what the lock means, how to see who's editing, and how to take control if you need to.
Two people editing the same chart at once would step on each other's changes, so SeatPlanning only lets one person edit at a time. Everyone else can still view.
How the lock works
When you open a chart to edit it, you get the lock automatically, as long as nobody else already holds it. While you have it, you can move tables, add seats, and make any other change your role allows.
The lock is tied to you being on the chart. If you close the tab or leave the page, it releases and the next person who opens the chart gets it.
When someone else is editing
If you open a chart that's already locked, you'll see an overlay telling you it's being edited, with Currently Editing showing who has it and Session Started showing when they opened it.
From here you have two options:
- Wait. The lock releases as soon as they leave, and you can try again.
- Take it over. The button's label and behavior depend on the chart's plan:
- On a chart with a plan that supports collaborators, you'll see Request Handoff. Selecting it notifies the current editor and moves the session to you.
- On a free-plan chart, you'll see Take Control instead, along with a warning that taking over immediately locks out the other person and discards their unsaved changes.
If your role only allows viewing, you won't see either option, since you can't edit either way.
Taking control
Both buttons move editing access to you right away. Whatever the other person already saved stays in place; it's their unsaved work that's at risk on a free-plan chart, since Take Control discards it. If you know who's on the chart, it's worth a quick message to them before you take over, especially if they might be in the middle of something.
Where to go next
- Roles and permissions to see who on your chart is able to edit in the first place.
- Accept a collaborator invitation if you're new to a chart and want to know what you can do once you're in.
- Share public view and RSVP links if you just need people to see the chart, not edit it.