Microsoft Bookings is a scheduling tool that lets customers book appointments through a self-service webpage. It integrates with Outlook calendars and Microsoft Teams to provide a seamless scheduling experience for both staff and customers.
Step 1: Access Microsoft Bookings
- Go to office.com and sign in
- Click the App Launcher (waffle icon)
- Select Bookings (or click "All apps" to find it)
Note: You need a Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, Premium, or Enterprise E3/E5 license.
Step 2: Create a Booking Calendar
- Click Create booking page
- Choose a starting option:
- Create from scratch for new setup
- Clone existing to copy another calendar's structure
- Enter your business name (e.g., "IT Support Services")
- Upload your company logo for branding
Step 3: Configure Business Settings
Go to Settings in the left navigation:
Business Information
- Add your website URL
- Add privacy policy link (recommended)
- Set currency for pricing display
Business Hours
- Define your general operating hours
- These can be overridden for specific staff or services
Step 4: Add Services
Services define what customers can book. Go to Services tab and click Add new service:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Service title (e.g., "Initial Consultation") |
| Description | What the appointment covers |
| Location | Physical address or "Online meeting" |
| Duration | How long the appointment lasts |
| Buffer time | Time before/after to prevent back-to-back bookings |
| Online meeting | Toggle ON to auto-generate Teams links |
| Pricing | Free, fixed price, or hourly (display only) |
Configure Reminders
- Set email reminders (e.g., 24 hours before)
- Helps reduce no-shows
Step 5: Add Staff
Go to the Staff tab:
- Click Add staff
- Enter their name and email (must be in your M365 tenant)
- Enable calendar sync:
- Check "Events on Office 365 calendar affect availability"
- This prevents double-booking when staff have other appointments
- Optionally set custom working hours per staff member
Step 6: Configure Booking Page
Go to the Booking page tab:
Access Control
- Available to anyone: Public-facing, ideal for customer booking
- Available to people in your organization: Internal use only (HR, IT)
Scheduling Policy
- Lead time: Minimum notice required (e.g., "24 hours")
- Maximum time: How far ahead customers can book (e.g., "60 days")
Publish
- Choose a color theme
- Click Save and publish
- Copy your booking page URL (e.g.,
book.ms/yourcompany) - Share on your website, email signature, or marketing materials
Teams Integration
Virtual Appointments
- When "Online meeting" is enabled, confirmation emails include a Teams link
- Staff see appointments in their Teams calendar
Bookings App in Teams
- Open Microsoft Teams
- Click Apps in the sidebar
- Search for and add Bookings
- Manage schedules without leaving Teams
Best Practices
- Add buffer time: 5-10 minutes between appointments
- Set reminders: At least one 24-hour reminder to reduce no-shows
- Test your page: Open in incognito mode and book a test appointment
- Verify calendar sync: Ensure staff Outlook calendars block correctly