The availability heatmap is one of Cadence's most powerful features. It visually shows when everyone is available, making it easy to find the best time for your event.
How the Heatmap Works
The heatmap displays time slots in a grid format:
- Rows: Represent different days in your date range
- Columns: Represent time slots within your time window
- Colors: Indicate how many people are available at that time
Reading the Colors
The heatmap uses color intensity to show availability:
- Dark/Intense colors: Many people are available - these are the best times
- Medium colors: Some people are available - good options if the dark slots don't work
- Light colors: Few people are available - avoid these if possible
- Gray/Empty: No one is available - these times won't work
Using the Heatmap
Finding the Best Time
- Look for the darkest/most intense colored slots
- Consider which days work best for your team
- Click on a time slot to see who's available
- Select the optimal time and confirm the event
Viewing Individual Availability
Hover over or click a time slot to see:
- Which team members are available
- Which team members are unavailable
- Who hasn't responded yet
Tips for Best Results
- Wait for responses: Give people time to mark their availability before finalizing
- Check regularly: The heatmap updates in real-time as people respond
- Consider priorities: Sometimes a time that works for most people is better than perfect for everyone
- Communicate: If you need to pick a time that doesn't work for everyone, let them know why
Heatmap Settings
You can customize how the heatmap displays:
- Adjust the color scheme for better visibility
- Filter to show only certain team members
- Toggle between different view modes (day view, week view, etc.)