---
title: "Start-A-Tab | SpotOn Express (FOH)"
canonical: "https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3566862372/Start-A-Tab%20%7C%20SpotOn%20Express%20(FOH)"
format: markdown
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## Overview

Use the SpotOn Express **Start-A-Tab** feature to open and manage running tabs at your bar or restaurant. Customers can buy food and drinks during their visit, then quickly check out and pay on the previously authorized card when they finish.

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**Quick Links**

> Macro (toc)

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## Start-A-Tab 

1. From the POS, enter the employee PIN to unlock the station
2. Add the applicable menu items to the order
3. Select **New Check** from the cart area
4. When the **Create Check** prompt appears, choose one of the following options to start a tab:
  1. **Tap the customer’s card:** Tap the card on the EMV reader to preauthorize it. The check is named “Cardholder” by default, and the cardholder’s name cannot be captured. You can edit the check name.
  2. **Insert the customer’s card:** Insert the card into the EMV reader to preauthorize it. The name on the card is automatically applied to the check.
  3. **Name the check:** Enter a check name to continue without attaching a card

> ℹ️ *When you start a tab using the chip reader, the customer’s name is automatically read from the card. When using Tap to Pay, a name must be entered manually.*

5. Select **Done**
6. Continue adding all applicable items to the order
7. Select **Send** to send the items for preparation, or go directly to the checkout screen.

For more information on completing checkout, see [https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3213822540/Checkout+%7C+SpotOn+Express+(FOH)](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3213822540/Checkout+%7C+SpotOn+Express+(FOH)) 

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## Convert an Open Check to a Tab

1. Open the check from the Checks tab and select **Edit**.
2. When the **Edit check** prompt appears, choose one of the options to start a tab

> ℹ️ If the selected check already has a name, inserting a card will not override it.

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**Related Articles **

- [Checkout | SpotOn Express (FOH)](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3213822540/Checkout+%7C+SpotOn+Express+(FOH))
- [Close a Customer Tab | SpotOn Express (FOH)](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/5594349745/Close+a+Customer+Tab+%7C+SpotOn+Express+(FOH))