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title: "Open Orders | SpotOn Express (FOH)"
canonical: "https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3466330116/Open%20Orders%20%7C%20SpotOn%20Express%20(FOH)"
format: markdown
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# Overview 

**SpotOn Express Open Orders** (also referred to as **Checks**) are orders that can be saved, retrieved, added to, and checked out at any time. They provide flexibility for customers to continue ordering additional items during their stay and ensure the Point of Sale is available for operations.

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**Quick Links**

> Macro (toc)

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# **Create Open Order**

There are three different paths to create an Open Order.

## **New Check**

1. In the lower-right corner of the POS station screen (or the Checks screen on handhelds), select **New Check**

2. When prompted, tap or insert to pre-authorize a card or enter a name for the check and select **Enter/Checkmark. **A prompt will appear at the bottom of the screen indicating that a new check has been created.
3. To add items to the cart, select an item from the menu, choose any modifiers (if applicable), and select **Add to order**
4. Select **Send** to apply the items to the current order. This will suspend the order with the added items and prepare the POS for the next customer.

## **Convert into Open Order**

This option can convert the current transaction into an Open Order.

1. Select an item from the menu, choose any modifiers (if applicable), and select **Add to order**

2. When finished adding items, select **Send items**
3. When prompted, enter a name for the check and select **Enter/Checkmark. **This will send any items needing preparation to the kitchen, suspend the order, and prepare the POS for the next customer.
4. The Order (Check) can be recalled later for checkout or additional items from the **Checks** menu at the top of the screen.

## **From the Checks Menu**

1. Select **Checks** from the top of the screen
2. Select **New Check**
3. When prompted, enter a name for the check and select **Enter/Checkmark**
4. Select **Menu** at the top of the screen
  - The order name will appear in the upper-right corner of the screen
5. Select an item from the menu, choose any modifiers (if applicable), and select **Add to order**
6. Select **Send **in the lower-right corner of the screen. This will send any items needing preparation to the kitchen, suspend the order, and prepare the POS for the next customer.
7. The Order (Check) can be recalled later for checkout or additional items from the **Checks** menu at the top of the screen

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# **View, Rename & Checkout Open Orders**

## **View**

From the main screen of the terminal, select **Checks** from the top of the screen.

From here, you can view all currently open orders. Select an order to view/add/remove its contents, checkout, or cancel the order entirely.

## **Rename**

To rename an order, tap on a check (it will turn light blue when selected) and select the **Pencil icon** in the upper-right corner next to the check name. 

When prompted, enter the new name of the check and select **Enter/Checkmark**.

💡 **Note:** The rename option is available for split checks as well. 

## **Add Item**

To add an item to an order, tap on a check (it will turn light blue when selected) and select the **Menu** button at the top of the screen.

Add item(s) as normal, selecting **Send items** when ready to update the order contents.

## **Checkout**

To checkout, tap on a check and select **Checkout** in the lower-right corner. Follow the normal Checkout process to take payment and complete the transaction.


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# Frequently Asked Questions 

**Can orders be on hold or remain open for more than one day? **  
No. Orders can not be open for multiple days. The system will close any open orders at 4 am. It’s recommended to complete the EOD day checklist to ensure all orders are closed and accounted for. If no card is attached, the order will close to a custom tender (unpaid). 


**Can the prompt to name all orders when sending items to the kitchen be disabled? **  
Yes. The **Require name** on orders setting is controlled from the Dashboard. When enabled, you must enter the customer's name when placing their order, and this name prints on kitchen tickets. 

Find this setting in **Dashboard** > **Account & Settings** > **Orders & Tips**. 

When the setting is disabled, it will prompt to authorize a credit card (CC) and start a tab when starting a 'New Check', but by clicking the checkmark, you can create the check without a name or CC. 

**Can I create a phone order and attach an existing customer profile to it?**  
No. SpotOn Express does not currently support attaching an existing customer profile or searching a customer database from the POS station. To create a phone order, start a **New Check** and enter the customer’s name manually when prompted. Customer data is currently stored only through Loyalty, but expanded customer profile support is planned for a future release.

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