> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Check in social event attendees

> Use the event check-in tools to confirm who arrived at a customer event.

## What you will accomplish

On event day, you will mark attendees as **checked in** so your team knows who arrived, who is still expected, and whether a ticket was already used.

This guide is for staff at the door or front desk. You do not need technical skills—only the event page open on a phone, tablet, or computer.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Check-in is not the same as RSVP**
>
> **RSVP** means the customer said they plan to come. **Check-in** means they actually arrived. Use [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md) before event day; use this guide when guests walk in.

## When to use this guide

Use check-in when:

* Customers arrive with a QR code or ticket code from email or their phone.
* You need a head count for food, parking, or capacity limits.
* Paid tickets should only be used once.
* You want a clear record of who was physically present.

## Before you start

* The social event is already created. If not, follow [Create a social event](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-social-event.md) first.
* Customers received the event link, RSVP confirmation, or ticket email before they arrive.
* If you plan to scan QR codes, use a device with a working camera and allow the browser to use it when asked.
* Charge the tablet or phone you will use at the door.
* Have a backup plan: search the attendee list or type a ticket code by hand.

## Set up at the door (5 minutes before guests arrive)

* Open the event detail page on a charged phone or tablet (see Step 1 below).
* Tap **Check in** once so you know the check-in screen loads.
* If you use QR codes, allow the browser to use the camera when prompted.
* Post the event **QR code** from **Share** near the entrance if guests should scan to RSVP or check in.
* Brief staff: confirm the guest name on screen before tapping **Check in**.
* Keep **Enter code manually** ready as a backup when a guest's phone screen is too dim to scan.

## Step 1: Open the event detail page

**1. Open Marketing & Events**

Go to [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing).

**2. Find the event**

On the **Calendar** tab, click the event name (for example **Cars & Coffee Open House**). You can also use the search box or filter to **Events** if the calendar is busy.

**Expected result:** You land on the event detail page with the event title at the top and summary cards for **Going**, **Maybe**, and **Can't Go**.

**3. Confirm you are on the right page**

The page shows attendance numbers, an attendee table, and buttons such as **Check in**, **Edit**, and **Share**.

The web address looks like `/dashboard/social-events/` followed by the event id.

If you need a QR poster for the entrance, click **Share** and choose **QR code** before guests arrive. See [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md) for sharing options.

**4. Open check-in**

Click **Check in**.

**Expected result:** You see the check-in screen for this event (not the general marketing calendar).

![Social event detail page showing Check in button, attendance summary cards, and attendee list](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-detail-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=9020c7e3a02cf5934e7dfe02e3e1f31a)

*Open this page before customers arrive. Click Check in when you are ready at the door.*

## Step 2: Choose scan or manual entry

The check-in screen offers two paths. Both work—the best choice depends on your device and lighting.

**1. Use Open camera scanner when possible**

Tap **Open camera scanner** (or similar wording). Point the camera at the customer's QR code.

When the browser asks to use your camera, tap **Allow**. Hold the QR code steady inside the box on the screen.

**Why this matters:** Scanning is faster when many guests arrive at once.

**2. Use Enter code manually as a backup**

Tap **Enter code manually** when the camera fails, the code is worn, or the customer shows a code from email instead of a QR image.

**Expected result:** A text box appears where you can type the ticket code.

![Event check-in page with Open camera scanner button and Enter code manually link below the event title](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-check-in-page.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=44c08e7f943d011a3d680a870ca11850)

*Start with the camera when it works well. Switch to Enter code manually when scanning is slow or the guest only has an email code.*

![Camera scanner screen for event check-in showing QR code scan area and instructions to point the camera at a guest ticket](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-camera-scanner.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=0ab3881a0fb3ca449ff0904f0c36b6da)

*The camera scanner opens in your browser. Allow camera access when asked, then point at the guest's QR code from email or their phone.*

### Enter a ticket code by hand

When you choose **Enter code manually**, you see a **Code** box and a **Lookup** button.

**1. Type the code exactly as the guest received it**

The code is usually short letters and numbers (for example **CCN3W6**). Copy it from the customer's RSVP email or text. Do not add spaces.

**Why this matters:** One wrong character makes the system say the ticket was not found.

**2. Click Lookup**

Click **Lookup** (or press Enter on your keyboard).

**Expected result:** A card appears with the guest's name, email, RSVP status, and whether they are already checked in.

![Manual ticket code entry on the check-in page showing a Code field and Lookup button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-check-in-manual-code.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=bba6de787b13f0088880c90729237def)

*Type the ticket code from the guest's email, then click Lookup before you check them in.*

## Step 3: Check in one attendee

**1. Look up the ticket**

After a scan or after you click **Lookup**, the screen shows a card with the guest's name, email, RSVP status (**going**, **maybe**, and so on), and a badge such as **Not checked in** or **Checked in**.

Read the name out loud or point to the screen and ask, "Is this you?" before you continue.

**Why this matters:** The badge tells you whether this ticket was already used at the door.

**2. Click Check in**

Click the blue **Check in** button on the guest card when the person in front of you matches the name on the screen.

**Expected result:** The badge changes to show the guest is checked in, or you see a short success message. When you return to the [event detail page](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing), that guest appears as checked in in the attendee list.

**Why this matters:** A clear success message tells door staff the scan worked before the next guest steps up.

**3. Check the next guest**

After each successful check-in, the scanner or manual entry screen is ready for the next person.

**Why this matters:** During busy arrivals, staff should confirm one guest at a time so ticket codes are not mixed up.

**4. Handle already checked in**

If the screen says the ticket was already used, pause. The guest may have entered earlier, or someone else may have used the same code. Ask a manager before allowing another entry.

![Check-in screen showing Marcus Williams ticket details with Not checked in badge and a blue Check in button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-check-in-success.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=987125fde3a4e41be286dde3689d8bae)

*After Lookup, confirm the guest's name matches the person in front of you, then click Check in on their card.*

> [!TIP]
>
> **Why confirming the name matters**
>
> Ticket codes can be forwarded. A quick name check prevents the wrong person from using someone else's ticket.

## If the attendee does not have a QR code

**1. Go back to the event detail page**

Use **Back** or open the event again from [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing).

**2. Search the attendee list**

Use **Search attendees...** and type the person's name or email.

**3. Check RSVP status**

Confirm they appear as **Going** (or the status your facility uses for confirmed guests).

**4. Use manual code entry when available**

Open **Check in** again, choose **Enter code manually**, and type the short code from the customer's email exactly as shown (usually letters and numbers, no spaces).

**5. Ask a manager before making exceptions**

If the person is not on the list, pause and ask a manager. Do not add walk-ins unless your facility policy allows it.

![Social event attendee table with Search attendees field and guest rows](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/social-event-attendee-search.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=1207bfc21f74a3a5f67bc143e330cee4)

*Search the guest list on the event detail page when someone forgot their QR code but you still need to confirm they RSVP'd.*

## After check-in

* Watch **Going** and capacity numbers so your team knows how full the event is.
* Refresh the event page occasionally if multiple staff are checking people in.
* After the event, send a thank-you campaign or review request to attendees who had a good experience.

## What success looks like

* Guests with valid tickets are marked checked in within a few seconds.
* Staff can answer "how many people are here?" from the event page without paper lists.
* Duplicate or invalid tickets are caught before guests enter restricted areas.

## Common mistakes to avoid

* Do not check someone in without confirming their name matches the ticket.
* Do not let one staff member use scan while another uses manual entry on the same ticket at the same time—refresh the page if counts look wrong.
* Do not add walk-in guests without a manager unless your facility policy allows it.

## Troubleshooting

> [!WARNING]
>
> **The camera scanner does not open**
>
> Allow camera access in the browser settings. If the camera still fails, use **Enter code manually**.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **The code says No ticket found**
>
> Check for typing mistakes. Ask the customer which email they used to RSVP. Codes are usually short and may be case-sensitive.

> [!TIP]
>
> **The ticket is already checked in**
>
> The guest may have already entered, or someone else may have used the same ticket. Ask a manager before allowing another entry.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **I do not see Check in**
>
> Open the event from the calendar so the address includes `/dashboard/social-events/`. Ask an admin if the button is still missing—your role may need social event access.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **The page sent me back to Marketing & Events**
>
> You may have opened an old bookmark. Start from [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing), click today's event, then click **Check in** again.

## What to do next

Send a follow-up with [Create a campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-campaign.md), or ask for feedback with [Request and manage reviews](/docs/marketing-events/request-and-manage-reviews.md).


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