---
title: "How do I add a waitlist?"
categories: [registrations_faq]
updated: 2026-09-23
summary: Use an Option Fee field with the program as one choice (with a limit) and a free "Waitlist" choice, so people can still sign up once it's full.
---
## Set up a waitlist

Put the program and the waitlist in the same **Option Fee** field:

1.  On the **Edit Form** page, add an **Option Fee** field for the program, or use the one you already have.
2.  Add the program as the first option, with its price. Click **Edit** beside it and set **Total Available** to the number of spots.
3.  Add a second option called "Waitlist" with a price of $0. If you want to cap the waitlist too, give it its own **Total Available**.
4.  Make the field mandatory.

When the program sells out, that option is marked sold out and registrants can still choose **Waitlist**. Since both choices are in one field, the field can stay mandatory.

## Put the limit on the option, not the whole form

Set the limit on the program's option, not as a registration-wide cap. A cap under **Settings** > **Limits**, or on a group-level field, marks the whole registration as full, and then nobody can reach the waitlist. See [How can I limit the number of people in a cart?](/kb/how-can-i-limit-the-number-of-people-in-a-cart/) for the difference between the limits.

## Move people off the waitlist

Find the people who chose **Waitlist** in your reports. Then either:

-   raise the program option's **Total Available** and ask them to register again for the program, or
-   add the program fee to their existing carts yourself.

If the registration has already closed, see [How do I re-open a closed registration?](/kb/how-do-i-re-open-a-closed-registration/). It explains how to re-open for just those people without listing the form publicly again.