---
title: "Show Unavailable Times"
slug: "showing-unavailable-times-1"
updated: 2024-09-27T16:59:16Z
published: 2024-09-27T16:59:16Z
---

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

# Showing Unavailable Times

As instructors, you can set times you are unavailable to teach.

## Best Practices for Showing Unavailable

Using Instructor Blockout Time allows you to communicate when you are not available to work.

- Set block out times when you do not want to be scheduled to work.
- Anyone set up as a contract instructor should use this feature to show when you are not available to work for any Organization.

Video

[Watch a video on scheduling times you are unavailable to teach.](https://youtu.be/S0XMTRAYTw4)

## Overview of Block Out Times

Instructor block out times is a tool designed to allow you to show when you are unavailable to teach classes. Once set up, the time is displayed on the Instructor Schedule, can be specifically searched for from the Site Administration page, and is part of Class scheduling through the schedule conflict filter on the Choose Instructor dialog box.

While the platform defaults to filter out scheduling conflicts when selecting an instructor for a class, even with a block out time set up, the filter can be removed, and a scheduler can override the messages that the instructor has a scheduling conflict.

## Set Up an Unavailable Time

To set times when you are unavailable:

1. Select **Admin** to open the **Admin** menu.
2. Select **Create Instructor Blockout Time** in the **Instructors** group to open the creation page.
3. Type a **Name** for the blockout time. The name will be visible to anyone who can see instructor blockout times and links to the page displaying the description as well as the Start and End of the blockout time.
4. Type a **Description** explaining the reason for the time off.
5. Set the **Start** date and time for when you are not available using the date and time selectors.
6. Set the **End** date and time.
7. Select **Save**.

## Find an Unavailable Time

Unavailable times can be seen in several places. They can be found from an instructor's User Profile under Instructor information, they display on the instructor's calendar, and they can be seen from the Site Administration page or menu.

To find times set up to show you are unavailable:

1. Select **Admin** to open the **Admin** menu.
2. Select **Find Instructor Blockout Time** in the **Instructors** group to open the search page.
3. Select **Search** to display all future block out times. Change the **Starts** filter to adjust time periods displayed.
4. Search results display the **Name**, **Instructor**, **Start Time**, and **End Time** of the block out time.

## Edit an Unavailable Time

Unavailable times can be updated to change any of the fields.

To edit unavailable times:

1. Select **Admin** to open the **Admin** menu.
2. Select **Find Instructor Blockout Time** in the **Instructors** group to open the search page.
3. Select **Search** to display all future block out times. Change the **Starts** filter to adjust time periods displayed.
4. In the **search results** beside the block out time you wish to update, select **Edit** to open the time for editing.
5. Make changes to the fields as needed.
6. Select **Save**.

## Remove an Unavailable Time

Unavailable times can be deleted if they are no longer needed.

To delete unavailable times:

1. Select **Admin** to open the **Admin** menu.
2. Select **Find Instructor Blockout Time** in the **Instructors** group to open the search page.
3. Select **Search** to display all future block out times. Change the **Starts** filter to adjust time periods displayed.
4. In the **search results** beside the block out time you wish to update, select **Details** to view the block out time page.
5. Select the **Delete** link in the top right corner of the page.
6. When the confirmation message appears, select **OK** to delete and this returns you to the Instructor Blockout Times search page.

An instructor blockout time is input by an instructor or administrator to designate a time when the instructor is not available to work. Once it is set up it will not show the instructor as available when choosing an instructor for a class with the Does not have schedule conflict is applied. If added to a class that conflicts with the blockout time, then a dialog displays with the conflicting dates before allowing to save but can still be scheduled.

An organization is assigned to each entity in the TMS, such as, users, classes, subscriptions, and courses. The organization is a basis to determine access given based on roles within the organization and management over the organization.

Instructor schedule is a link available on the Instructors tile which searches between a specified timeframe to show classes the instructor is scheduled to teach.

A class is a scheduled instructor-led event with a start and end time/date. Typically, these include lectures and hands on activities such as labs.

The user profile contains information about the user and their preferences, including roles, managed organizations, and settings.