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🪑 Setting Up Your Custom Table Message


ClickBid lets you customize the message that gets sent when the [t] shortcode is used in a welcome text or mass message. Setting this up in advance ensures your guests receive the right table assignment language every time.

💡Where to set it up

The custom table message is configured in Auction Settings, under Butler Settings. You can set it up here because the [t] shortcode can be used in welcome texts even without Mass Messaging enabled.

  1. In the left-hand navigation, click Software Settings to expand the menu.
  2. Click Auction Settings.
  3. Scroll down and expand the Butler Settings section.
  4. Locate the Custom Table Message field.
  5. Type the message you want to appear before the table assignment. The field has a 35-character limit.
  6. Changes save automatically.
  7. Added to Special Notes what the message will display as and if it needs to be changed click the link to be taken directly to the customize text field to update the message.


ℹ️ The default message is "You are seated at Table". When sent, NN is replaced with the value in the Table column on the bidder's record in Manage Bidders. So if a bidder has "10" in their Table field, the message would read: "You are seated at Table 10."

How the message displays based on your settings

What a guest receives depends on what you have entered in the Custom Table Message field:

  • Default message in place: the message displays as: "You are seated at Table NN", where (NN) is the bidder's table assignment.
    • Example: Default message is "You are seated at Table" and the table column has "5" the [t] = You are seated at Table 5
  • Custom message entered: the message displays using your custom text followed by the table assignment number.
    • Example: Custom message is: "You are in Golf Cart" and table column has "4" the [t] = You are in Golf Cart 4
  • Field left blank: only the table assignment number (NN) will appear in the message with no label before it. 
    • Example: Table Column has Vip Table when leaving the message field blank the [t] = Vip Table

💡 Custom Table Message Ideas by Event Type

The Custom Table Message field gives you the flexibility to match your event's setup exactly. Here are some examples to inspire your message and how to fill in the Table column in Manage Bidders for each scenario.

⛳ Golf Outing

Golf outings often assign bidders to a specific cart for the day. Enter the cart number in the Table column and customize the message to match.

  • Table column value: Golf Cart 4
  • Custom Table Message: You are in
  • Message guests receive: "You are in Golf Cart 4"

💡 For a golf outing, entering "Golf Cart 4" directly in the Table column and setting the custom message to "You are in" keeps the message clean and easy to read on a phone screen.

🍽️ Luncheon or Gala with Sections and Tables

Seated dinners with sections and table numbers can use the Table column to carry both pieces of information.

  • Table column value: Section 5 Table 2
  • Custom Table Message: You are seated at
  • Message guests receive: "You are seated at Section 5 Table 2"

🎟️ General Auction or Fundraising Event

For a straightforward table assignment at a general event, keep it simple.

  • Table column value: 12
  • Custom Table Message: You are at Table
  • Message guests receive: "You are at Table 12"

🎪 VIP or Ticketed Experience

If you have special areas or experiences tied to ticket tiers, use the Table column to reflect that.

  • Table column value: VIP Lounge
  • Custom Table Message: Your area is the
  • Message guests receive: "Your area is the VIP Lounge"

🍷 Wine Pull or Sign-Up Party

For sign-up style events where guests are assigned to a specific station or party, the Table column can carry that detail.

  • Table column value: Party A
  • Custom Table Message: You are signed up for
  • Message guests receive: "You are signed up for Party A"

ℹ️ Whatever you enter in the Table column in Manage Bidders is what replaces NN when the message is sent. The Custom Table Message field just sets the label that appears before it. Keep the combined total of your custom message and table value readable at a glance,  guests will see this on their phone at check-in.

📱 How the [t] Shortcode Note Appears in Text and Email Bidders

Once you add the [t] shortcode to a message in Text Bidders or Email Bidders, a note will appear between the character count and the AuctionGPT link. This note shows you exactly how the table message will display when sent, based on your current Butler Settings.

The note reads: "Note: If a table is assigned, the [t] shortcode is replaced with: '[your custom message] NN', where NN is the table assignment of the recipient."

A To change this message click here link is included in the note, taking you directly to the Custom Table Message field in Butler Settings so you can update it without leaving your workflow.

🚨 This note is time-sensitive, it displays for approximately 10 seconds after the [t] shortcode is added to your message. If you need to click the link to update your table message, do so before it disappears, or navigate directly to Auction Settings > Butler Settings to make your change.

The same note also appears in the Shortcodes help section at the bottom of the Text Bidders and Email Bidders pages, so you can always reference what your current custom table message is set to before sending.