Objective
Set up a holiday schedule using an Auto Attendant in Admin Console.
Applies To
Admin Console
Auto Attendant
Holiday Scheduling
Prerequisites
You must have access to the 8x8 Admin Console
An Auto Attendant must already exist (or be created)
A Site must be assigned to the Auto Attendant to access call-handling menus
Navigation Path
Most procedures in this article start from the same location: Admin Console → Auto Attendants → Edit (pencil icon) next to an Auto Attendant
1. Create a Holiday Schedule
Holiday schedules define dates when your Auto Attendant follows special open or closed hours.
To add a holiday:
Log in to the [Admin Console.](https://sso.8x8.com/v2/login)
Navigate to Auto Attendants.
Select an existing Auto Attendant or create a new one.
Open the Auto Attendant Profile and select Edit.
Objective
Create and manage holiday schedules for an Auto Attendant in the 8x8 Admin Console, including holiday dates, call-handling rules, and custom holiday greetings.
Applies To
8x8 Admin Console
Auto Attendant
Holiday Scheduling
Overview
Holiday schedules allow your Auto Attendant to follow special call-handling rules on specific dates, such as public holidays or company closures.On holiday dates, the Auto Attendant can:
Follow open or closed hours
Play a custom holiday greeting
Route calls differently than normal business hours
Holiday schedules override standard business hours for the selected dates.
Prerequisites
Before you begin:
You have access to the 8x8 Admin Console
An Auto Attendant already exists (or you create one)
A Site is assigned to the Auto Attendant (required to access call-handling menus)
Navigation Path
Most tasks in this article start from the same location:
Admin Console → Auto Attendants → Edit (pencil icon) next to an Auto Attendant
Step One: Create a Holiday Schedule
Holiday schedules define the dates when special call-handling rules apply.
Procedure
Log in to the 8x8 Admin Console.
Go to Auto Attendants.
Select an existing Auto Attendant (or create a new one)
Open the Auto Attendant profile and click Edit.
Go to Holiday Exceptions.
Click + Add a Holiday.
Enter:
Holiday name
Holiday date
Select the Status:
Open – business is open on the holiday
Closed – business is closed on the holiday
If Open, click Add Business Hours and define the hours of operation.
Click Save.
Tip:
You can create multiple holiday schedules. Verify the time zone and holiday dates before saving.
Step Two: Configure Holiday Call Handling Rules
Holiday call-handling rules determine how calls are routed during holiday hours that are open or closed.
To manage holiday call handling:
Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
Go to Call Handling Menus.
Select the Holiday tab.
Choose one:
Holiday Open Hours Menu
Holiday Closed Hours Menu
Note:
A Site must be selected before Call Handling Menus are visible.
Choose Holiday Menu Behavior
Select one of the following options:
Option | Description |
Use Weekdays Open Hours Menu | Uses the same rules as normal business hours |
Define Custom | Creates holiday-specific call-handling rules |
Add Key-Based Actions
Click Add Key.
Select the key callers will press.
Choose an Action.
Click Save.
Save the Auto Attendant profile.
Available Actions
Routing Actions
Go To Submenu
Auto Attendant (requires two Auto Attendants)
Transfer to:
Call Queue
User
Ring Group
External Number (for third-party services)
Voice Mail System
Directory Options
Company Directory
Dial by Name
Dial by Extension
Menu Action
Repeat Menu
Step Three: Manage Holiday Greetings
You can configure greetings for:
Holiday Open Hours Menu
Holiday Closed Hours Menu
You may also skip greetings and route callers directly to voicemail or another destination.
3.1 Record a Holiday Greeting
Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
Go to Call Handling Menus.
Select Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
Select Play Audio.
Click Select File.
Choose Call a phone number to record.
Enter:
Recording name
Phone number or extension
Click Call Now and follow the recording prompts.
Click Save.
3.2 Upload a Holiday Greeting
Navigate to the Auto Attendant.
Go to Call Handling Menus.
Select Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
Select Play audio file.
Click Select File → Upload an audio file.
Enter the recording name.
Upload the audio file by dragging it into the window or clicking to browse.
Click Save.
3.3 Skip Playing a Holiday Greeting (Optional)
To route callers immediately without a greeting:
Open the Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
Select Skip Playing Prompt.
Configure the destination (for example, voicemail or an external number).
Save the Auto Attendant.
Step Four: Forward Calls Using an Announcement-Only Greeting (Optional)
This option plays a message and then automatically forwards the call to an external number.
Steps
Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
Click Edit Settings.
Set the wait time before the next action.
(Optional) Enable Dial an Extension at Any Point.
Set If the user inputs no key, replay the menu to 0.
Under And Then, select Route To.
Enter the external phone number.
Click Save.
Save the Auto Attendant profile.
Additional Information
Auto Attendants do not support SMS.
Holiday schedules override regular business hours on the specified dates.
For standard hours, see Set Up Business and After Hours Schedule in Admin Console.
Holiday Hours can also be configured in 8x8 Contact Center. See Add a Holiday Schedule and Script in 8x8 Contact Center.
Result
Your Auto Attendant now follows holiday-specific schedules, greetings, and call-handling rules on the defined dates.