> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.servicem8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to allocate jobs in booking windows
> Learn how to allocate jobs in booking windows in ServiceM8.
There may be times when a job doesn't need to be scheduled for a specific time - rather, there is a timeframe, or booking window, when the work can be done. This article reviews:
* How to allocate jobs to staff in booking windows from the [Online Dashboard](#allocating-jobs-from-the-online-dashboard)
* How to allocate jobs to staff in booking windows from the [ServiceM8 mobile app](#allocating-jobs-from-the-servicem8-mobile-app)
* How to [cancel job allocations](#viewing-and-cancelling-allocated-jobs)
**Note:** The *Job Allocations* add-on must be activated to allocate jobs to staff without scheduling the job for a specific time or date. (See [this article](/help-center/servicem8-add-ons/servicem8-add-ons/servicem8-add-ons-overview) for more information about add-ons.)
## Allocating jobs from the Online Dashboard
1. From the Dispatch Board view, drag a job onto the staff member's icon.
1. The job allocation window will appear. Complete the following fields as appropriate:
* **Booking Window** - the timeframe in which the job should be completed (see [this article](/help-center/servicem8-add-ons/job-allocations/job-allocations-overview-and-setup) to learn how to customise booking windows)
* **Estimated Work** - the amount of time you expect the job will take
* **Start Date** - the day you want the allocated job to appear in the staff member's jobs list
* **Booking Expires After** - how long the job should stay allocated to the staff member (for example, an urgent job allocation may expire within an hour so that if the staff member can't get to it, you can reassign it to another staff member)
* **Notify ``** - the staff member's iOS device will automatically populate; you will only need to add contact info if the staff member does not have the ServiceM8 mobile app
* **Message to ``** - any additional information needed (this will appear in the Messages area of the ServiceM8 mobile app)
1. Click **Allocate job and notify ``**.
The staff member will receive a booking notification.
## Allocating jobs from the ServiceM8 mobile app
1. If you created a new job, tap **Allocate job** upon saving. Otherwise, from the Jobs list, open the job you would like to allocate and tap **Add Booking**.
1. Tap **Allocate**.
2. Tap the desired fields to specify booking information.
* **Staff Member** and **Booking Window** must be completed to allocate a job.
* You can also specify estimated job duration, allocation start date, and allocation expiry date. (See the [section above](#allocating-jobs-from-the-online-dashboard) for more information about each field.)
3. Tap **Book**.
The staff member will receive a booking notification.
## Cancelling job allocations
Job allocations to individual staff members can be cancelled from both the Online Dashboard and the ServiceM8 mobile app. (Depending on security roles, not all staff members may be able to see others' schedules.)
**To cancel a job allocation from the Online Dashboard:**
1. From the Dispatch Board, click the staff member's icon.
* All of their assigned jobs will appear in the Jobs list. Allocated jobs will display the allocation window name instead of a time.
[
](/images/005-082-536-6eec560d-949a-426d-a1c3-f835b3df5448.png)
1. Right-click on the allocated job and click **Cancel booking**.
**To cancel a job allocation from the ServiceM8 mobile app:**
1. From the Jobs view, scroll down to *Staff* and tap the staff member's name.
* All of their assigned jobs will appear in the Jobs list. Allocated jobs will display the allocation window name instead of a time.
1. Tap the allocated job to open it.
2. Tap **Cancel Booking**.
***
## Related articles
## Related FAQs
* [Why are our arrival windows in our booking confirmation emails and texts sometimes skewed too early?](/questions/jobs/arrival-windows-booking-confirmation-emails-texts-sometimes-skewed-too-early)