Accommodate your guests properly and have them seated comfortably during an event by making use of a seating chart. It's actually not required that you use one, but it helps in organizing your guests and ensures that each one has their own seat assignment. Here at Template.net, we've got ready-made seating chart templates in Microsoft Word that you can download anytime and anywhere. Besides being downloadable, these high-quality templates are also easily editable in any version of Microsoft Word and are fully printable. So the next time you're planning to hold a gathering, don't hesitate to download a ready-made seating chart template.
What Is a Seating Chart?
A seating chart is a diagram that serves to inform guests as to where they will sit in a given venue or in an event. Also known as a seating diagram or a seating plan, this is actually optional but can greatly help in organizing the attendees accordingly.
How to Create a Seating Chart in Microsoft Word
While it may seem overwhelming to create even a simple chart, it's actually fun once you'll get the hang of it. Instead of having to go to sites such as WeddingWire, simply refer to our instructions below to learn how to make your own seating charts in Microsoft Word.
1. Get information about the venue
Whether it's in an auditorium, theater, restaurant, or in a classroom setting, details about the venue are very important. This is considered an important piece of info because in creating a seating chart, this will give you an idea about its size and how many people can be accommodated. Even if you're planning to hold an outdoor event, getting information about the venue is just as necessary.
2. Secure a copy of the guest list
After getting the information you need about the venue, you will then need to secure a copy of the list containing the names of the guests. Securing a guest list is also important since it can provide you with information on who among the invited people have confirmed. The guest list will allow you to create an approximation of the number of attendees and will also help you in organizing the names in alphabetical order.
3. Make a draft of the seating chart
By simply making a sketch or a hand-drawn diagram, you can start making a draft design of your seating plan. Based on the venue's allotted space for the event and the number of people written in your guest list, you can now assign seats for your guests. However, since this is only a draft, this basic seating chart shouldn't be considered final and there should still be enough room for revisions.
4. Categorize guests by groups
When assigning seats and tables for your guests, you might want to organize or categorize them by groups. In weddings or dinner events, it would be best to have your guests seated with people who are related or at least acquainted with them. But in a class setting, the students are arranged according to alphabetical order, their performance, or even they're physical characteristics.
5. Consider guests with special needs
Before you finalize your seating chart, always check to see if any of your guests require special attention. These include but are not limited to pregnant women, the elderly, or people with assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches. As much as possible, these guests should be placed close to an exit, near an aisle, or at least away from the most crowded area.
6. Finalize by creating the chart in Word
Microsoft Word may be a text or document processing application, but it's also capable of rendering images and creating stunning designs. After you're done creating the draft design of your seating chart, you can start translating it to digital format using Microsoft Word. Open Microsoft Word, create a new document, add tables or graphs, write the names of the guests, and then arrange them accordingly.
