> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.powerfulform.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.powerfulform.com/build-your-form/form-schedule.md).

# Schedule form

Open and close a form automatically on the dates and times you choose.

A form schedule makes a form available only between a start and an end date. Use it for a competition that closes on a deadline, a seasonal pre-order, an event signup or a limited application window. This page shows how to set the schedule and what visitors see outside it.

## 📝 Set a schedule

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Go to form Settings

* Open the app > click **Forms** > open the form you want to edit
* Select **Settings** in the left icon rail
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Expand Form schedule

<figure><img src="https://2907469752-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FehM2rz7MmKkWcJmgvJOe%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ab1e922578e4af62cf29327d17de48c13f690b74%2Fscreenshot-build-your-form-form-schedule-settings.png?alt=media" alt="The Form schedule section expanded showing Enable form schedule, Start date, End date and the messages shown before and after the window"><figcaption><p>Scheduling lets a form open and close on its own.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Turn on "Enable form schedule"

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Pick the start and end

**Start date** is when the form begins accepting submissions. **End date** is when it stops. Each opens a picker where you choose both a date and a time.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Write the messages

**Before start date, show this message** is shown to anyone who reaches the form early.

**After end date, show this message** is shown once the window has closed. Both are rich-text boxes, so you can add links and formatting.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Save it

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Form schedule** is listed in the plan comparison table. Check [Plans and billing](/settings/plans-and-billing.md) to see what your plan includes.
{% endhint %}

## ✅ How it works

Outside the scheduled window the form is still on the page, but it cannot be used:

* the submit area is removed, so there is no way to send it,
* your message is shown over the form.

<figure><img src="https://2907469752-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FehM2rz7MmKkWcJmgvJOe%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-88286310f6ac21c457f09f7bc4ac1d2defd86d2f%2F2026-09-14_11-04-42.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Useful wording:

* Before the start: *Entries open on 1 September. Follow us for a reminder.*
* After the end: *Entries for this competition closed on 30 September. Winners are announced on 7 October.*

## 📝 Closing a form early

To close a form before its planned end, change **End date** to a moment that has already passed and click **Save**. The form stops accepting submissions immediately and starts showing the after-end message.

<br>

## Next steps

* [Edit error messages](/build-your-form/error-messages.md) for the wording used when a submission limit is reached.
* [Publish the form to a page](/getting-started/quickstart/publish-the-form.md) to put the scheduled form on your store.
* [Plans and billing](/settings/plans-and-billing.md) to check what your plan includes.