Step-by-step instructions
List the participants
Use one unique label per person. Account for fixed or restricted seats separately before drawing the unrestricted list.
Choose seats per table
Set the capacity of each table. For one continuous numbered row, set a capacity at least as large as the participant count, up to 100.
Generate and map the seats
Select Assign seats. Copy the table and seat numbers and map them to clearly labeled physical locations.
Worked example
Eight participants are assigned to one eight-seat meeting table. Seats have been labeled before the meeting begins.
One valid result is shown below. Your generated outcome will vary.
Example input
Alex Jamie Morgan Taylor Sam Jordan Casey Riley
Example result
1. Seat 1 · Sam 2. Seat 2 · Taylor 3. Seat 3 · Riley 4. Seat 4 · Alex 5. Seat 5 · Jordan 6. Seat 6 · Morgan 7. Seat 7 · Casey 8. Seat 8 · Jamie
The draw changes seating positions, not speaking turns or responsibility for agenda items.
Keep seating and meeting participation distinct
A new seat does not guarantee a new speaking pattern or equal participation. If you also need a speaking order, draw that separately with Presentation Order Generator and tell attendees which list means what. Do not expect the seating output to account for camera positions, shared equipment, or accommodations that should be fixed in advance.
Settings and limits to check
The example has 8 retained entries. People are shuffled and assigned to numbered seats within consecutive tables. The last table may be smaller than the others. This is a list of assignments, not a room-plan editor. It does not keep partners together, separate selected guests, or account for accessibility, sight lines, or fixed seating. Handle those constraints before applying a random plan.
Settings used in this example
Seats per table: 8 Remove duplicate entries: On
Keep a usable copy of the result
Use Copy to place the current result in your own notes, or Download to keep a text file. Keep the eligible input list with the result when you need to explain which entries took part. A new generation replaces the displayed result rather than adding to a saved history.
The tool runs in your browser and does not upload your input. Save the result before refreshing or leaving the page. If other people need to use the same outcome, share your saved copy rather than asking them to generate another independent result.
Frequently asked questions
Can it guarantee nobody sits where they did last meeting?
No. A fresh independent draw can repeat earlier seats. The tool has no seating history.
Will every table have the same number of people?
Not necessarily. Tables fill to the selected capacity, and the last table may have fewer people.
Can I drag names around a room diagram?
No. The output is a text assignment list. Use it with your own labeled room layout.
What should I check in the worked example?
The draw changes seating positions, not speaking turns or responsibility for agenda items.