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Understanding Pre and Post Buffers in Stack

Buffers are a handy feature in Stack, providing additional time before and after your events. This extra time can help you prepare for meetings, travel between locations, or wrap up after a presentation. Each event type can have customized buffer settings, allowing you to optimize your schedule effectively.

Setting Buffers​

To add buffers to your appointments, follow these steps:

  1. Select Your Calendar: Choose the calendar where you want to add buffers.
  2. Access Settings:
    • For a new calendar, head to "Advanced Settings."
    • For an existing calendar, click "Edit."
  3. Adjust Availability: Navigate to the "Availability" section.
  4. Set Buffer Times: Look for "Pre buffer time" and "Post buffer time" options and specify your desired durations.
  5. Save Changes: Ensure you save your settings to apply the buffers.

These buffers guarantee you have the necessary time before and after your appointments.

Disabling Buffers​

To turn off buffers, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Your Calendar: Select the calendar where you want to remove buffers and click "Edit."
  2. Modify Availability: Go to the "Availability" section and locate "Pre and Post buffer."
  3. Set to Zero: Change the buffer values to "0."
  4. Save Changes: Don't forget to save your settings.

This will ensure that future appointments on this calendar won't have any buffers.

How Buffer Logic Works​

Buffers apply to appointments created within Stack or through third-party calendars when the 'Allow Contact Creation' feature is enabled. They respect blocked slots or events synced from third-party calendars like Google, Outlook, or iCloud, ensuring no overlap with blocked times.

Buffer Duration and Available Slots​

For example, if you have a 30-minute event with 15-minute buffers before and after, the next available slot will appear 30 minutes after the existing booking. Double buffering, using both pre and post buffers, can reduce available time slots, as it removes significant periods from your scheduling page. To maximize available slots, consider using only a single buffer (either pre or post).

A new event cannot be scheduled unless it aligns with the buffer criteria for both the current and previous slots. Note that buffers set for an individual schedule affect availability across other calendars where the user is involved. In round-robin or collective calendar events, individual buffer settings can impact the distribution and availability of appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Do buffers impact events booked outside of Stack?

Buffers apply only to appointments booked through Stack. However, if you have enabled two-way sync or smart sync, where third-party calendar events are converted into appointments, buffers will be applied.

How do buffers affect available time slots for scheduling appointments?

Buffers influence available time slots. For instance, a 30-minute event with 15-minute pre and post buffers means the next appointment can only be scheduled 30 minutes after the existing one. Double buffers can limit seemingly free periods, so consider using a single buffer to maximize bookable time slots.

Can I remove or alter a buffer once it's set for a booked appointment?

Yes, buffers can be removed or altered for a booked appointment. They are applied based on the latest settings.

What happens if buffer settings differ on an individual's other calendars in a round-robin event?

In round-robin events, different buffer settings on an individual's other calendars can lead to uneven appointment distribution among users.

Can buffer settings on an individual's other calendars affect bookings in a collective calendar event?

Yes, in collective events, buffer settings on an individual's other calendars can block slots that might otherwise appear free, as the buffer time occupies those slots.

What is double buffering?

Double buffering involves using both pre-buffer and post-buffer times around an event. This extends the buffer duration, potentially making time slots appear free but unavailable for booking, thus reducing the number of bookable appointments.