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Transfer moves an entire active session from one table to another free table. The original table becomes free; the new table takes over the bill.

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Overview

Reasons to transfer:
  • A group asked to move (e.g. from a small table to a booth).
  • You need a specific table for a reservation and the current occupants agreed to switch.
  • A temporary walk-in table is now moving to a permanent table because seating opened up.
Transfer is not the same as Merge. Merge combines two active sessions. Transfer moves one to a free spot.

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Transfer a table

  1. Open the source table by tapping its card.
  2. In the Table Session modal, tap Transfer / Merge.
  3. The Transfer Merge modal opens in Transfer mode by default.
Table transfer

Transfer / Merge modal in Transfer mode — only free tables shown

  1. The candidate list shows only free tables in the branch. Merged, active, and reserved tables are hidden in Transfer mode.
  2. Each row shows the target table’s name, section, and capacity.
  3. Pick your target. Confirm.
The floor plan updates: the source table becomes free (no session, no badges), the target table takes on the bill and all its state.

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What moves

Everything transfers as a single atomic operation:

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Split lock rule

If the source table has an active split payment, transfer is blocked:
Cannot transfer — this table has an active split. Clear the split first.
Same reason as merge: split payments reference specific items. Resolve the split (pay or clear) before moving.

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Candidate filtering

DishInk shows only valid targets. A table is a valid transfer target if it is:
  • Free (no active session).
  • Not merged.
  • Not reserved for a different group (see Reservations).
  • Not the source itself.
If no tables meet the criteria, the modal displays: “No available tables to transfer to. Free one up first.”

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Kitchen coordination

Kitchen tickets already sent are retagged to the new table on the KDS. This is automatic — no re-print needed.
Runners may already have the food. Tell the kitchen verbally when you transfer a table mid-preparation so runners deliver to the right seat.

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Tips & best practices

Transfer before payment, not after. Moving a table after paying creates confusion in reports — the revenue is booked to the original table.
If a walk-in is moving to a permanent table, transfer instead of closing and reopening. The bill stays intact and the guest sees no interruption.
Managers: after a big transfer, glance at the KDS. Confirm the tickets show the new table name.

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Common mistakes

  • Trying to transfer to an active table. Use Merge instead.
  • Transferring with an active split. Blocked. Clear the split.
  • Transferring a table that has kitchen items still preparing without telling the kitchen. Food may go to the old seat.
  • Using Transfer to fix a wrong table. If items were added to the wrong table by mistake, use Item Transfers — it’s the surgical tool.
Last modified on July 19, 2026