> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cardclan.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Invitation Cards & RSVP

> Turn any card into an event invitation with time, place and a host note, and collect RSVPs in one place.

An **invitation card** is a regular card with event details attached. Recipients see the event next to the card. They can answer **Going**, **Maybe** or **Can't go** and add the event to their calendar. You see every answer in the card's **RSVPs** tab.

## Set up an invitation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Format & event tool">
    Open your card in the editor and click **Format & event** in the left toolbar. A [Single page or Front & back format](/guides/card-formats) works well for invitations, but any format can be an invitation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn on the invitation">
    Switch on **This card is an invitation**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the event details">
    Fill in the event:

    | Field | Notes |
    | - | - |
    | **Event title** | Required, up to 200 characters. |
    | **Starts** | Required. |
    | **Ends (optional)** | Must not be before the start. |
    | **Timezone** | The event's own timezone. Defaults to your browser's timezone. |
    | **In person** / **Online** | For in person, enter an **Address**. For online, enter the meeting link (must start with `http://` or `https://`). |
    | **Note from the host** | Optional, up to 1,000 characters. Line breaks are kept. |
    | **Allow guests (+1s)** | Lets each recipient bring up to 10 extra guests. |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save invitation**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

To stop collecting RSVPs, switch **This card is an invitation** off. The details are kept, so you can switch it back on and **Save invitation** again later.

<Note>
  Once a card has been sent, its event details can't be edited. Check the time and place before you send.
</Note>

## What recipients see

Recipients open the card from their email as usual. The event panel appears beside the card on a computer, or below it on a phone. It shows:

* the event title, and the date and time in the event's timezone
* the address, which links to Google Maps, or a **Join online** link
* your note
* **Will you be there?** with **Going**, **Maybe** and **Can't go**
* **Additional guests**, if you allowed guests, and an optional **Note for the host**
* **Add to calendar**, with **Google Calendar** and **Apple / Outlook (.ics)**

Recipients answer with one tap. Their name and email come from your recipient list, so there's nothing to type. They can come back to the same email link and use **Change response** at any time.

### Who can RSVP

Only people you sent the card to can RSVP, and only from their own email link. Each link is personal and contains a security token, so nobody can answer for someone else.

If someone opens the card without a personal link (a preview, a test email or a forwarded general link), they still see the event details, but the buttons are turned off. They see *Open your personal invitation link to respond.*

People you share the card with through **Copy card URL** get their own personal link and can RSVP too.

## See responses

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the card's details">
    On your dashboard, click the card's **Card details** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the RSVPs tab">
    The **RSVPs** tab appears only on invitation cards.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The tab shows:

* **Counts** for **Going**, **Maybe**, **Can't go** and **No reply**. Under **Going**, the total of extra guests, for example *+3 guests*.
* **A filter** to show **All** recipients or only one kind of answer.
* **A table** with each recipient's **Name**, **Email**, **Response**, **Guests**, **Note** and when they last **Updated** their answer.
* **Export CSV**, which downloads the list as a spreadsheet that opens correctly in Excel and Google Sheets.

Recipients who were canceled or who unsubscribed aren't listed. People who got a **Copy card URL** link appear once they've answered.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I edit the event after sending?">
    No. Event details are locked once a card is sent, so every recipient sees the same details. If you need to change the time or place, send a new invitation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which timezone do recipients see?">
    The event's timezone, shown with its abbreviation (for example *1:00 PM EST*). Calendar entries are added at the correct time wherever the recipient is.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can a recipient change their answer?">
    Yes. They open the same email link and click **Change response**. The RSVPs tab always shows their latest answer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I RSVP from the preview?">
    Previews and test emails aren't linked to a recipient, so the RSVP buttons are turned off there. Send the card to yourself as a recipient to try the full flow.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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