Seatbay guide
U-shape seating layout
A U-shape seats people round the outside of tables set in a U, with the open end towards a screen or speaker. Everyone can see the front and each other, which suits meetings, workshops and training. Seatbay opens the layout for 18 with a screen at the open end.
Open the U-shape layoutOpens Seatbay with this layout ready to fill. If you have a plan started already, it opens that: pick the layout under Layouts.
When to use a U-shape
The U-shape works for groups small enough to talk as one, often up to about 25 people. The presenter can walk into the middle, and nobody sits behind anyone else.
It uses more floor for each person than rows or round tables, so it is a poor fit for a large group. In the app a U-shaped table seats from 6 to 24.
Setting it out
Change the number of seats to match your group and the U grows or shrinks. Add your attendees, then drag each to a seat. A must be at rule, or simply locking a seat, keeps the chair of the meeting where you want them.
The floor plan prints on one sheet, which is handy to send to a venue so the room is set before you arrive.
Questions
Is a horseshoe the same as a U-shape?
The two names are often used for the same thing. For a classroom, the app has its own horseshoe layout made of desks.
Is Seatbay free?
Yes. One event or class with up to 60 guests is free: the room, dragging, rules, the chart as a PDF on A4 or US Letter, the venue’s list, the floor plan and backups. Seatbay Pro ($2.99, paid once) adds more events and guests, Seat everyone for me, place cards, table numbers, poster sizes and looks, the Find your seat link and QR code, and spreadsheet export.
Where does my guest list go?
Nowhere. There is no account, and the list stays in your browser on your own device. You can save a backup file to move a plan to another device or pass it to someone helping you.