Your unit names appear on the DoorSpot calendar every time you view availability, create a reservation, or check occupancy. If they're too long, unclear, or missing key information, your team wastes time searching for units and making booking errors.
Our calendar can show you a 2-month view with unit names displayed. Although we do not limit the length of names, and our calendar can display 20+ characters of a name, lengthy names can be difficult to search for, and the end of unit names may get cut off on the calendar. Therefore, it is best to have simplified names and to put your unique identifier first (unit number, bedroom count, or differentiator) so you can tell units apart at a glance.
🚀 Quick Start
If you want a fast, reliable naming structure, start here:
✔ Put the unique identifier first (Unit #, Room, or Bed)
✔ Keep unit names under 25 characters when possible
✔ Use clear abbreviations (BR, BA, STU)
✔ Make sure staff can find a unit on the calendar in under 3 seconds
✔ Keep legacy names in notes or custom fields, not in long display titles
If you can do these five things, you’re already ahead.
Importing Existing Names from Spreadsheets or Software Tools
In some cases, you may be bringing over units from a spreadsheet or another software. Before importing all of your units, take some time to reconsider your naming conventions. Your unit names may include:
Too many characters – Names that truncate and become unreadable
Redundant zeros – "Unit-0001" when "Unit 1" works just as well
System-generated codes – Alphanumeric strings that made sense to the old software but not to humans
No useful information – Missing bedroom count, bathroom count, or location
You may be attached to these names because you've used them for years. That's normal. But ask yourself:
Do these names help you work faster, or do they slow you down?
Keeping your operations and the DoorSpot calendar in mind, ask yourself the following questions:
What information do I need to see instantly on the calendar?
Are my units grouped by property, building, or region?
What does my team call these units in conversation?
Do I have owner contracts or financial records tied to specific unit names?
How to Decide
As you think about the questions above and if you really do want to make adjustments to your naming conventions, consider taking the following steps.
Step 1: List Your Current Unit Names
Write down 10-15 of your current unit names.
Step 2: Identify What's Missing
Look at each name and ask:
Can I tell this unit apart from others instantly?
Does it include the information I need most (bedrooms, property, region)?
Is it short enough to display fully on the calendar?
Step 3: Create Your Formula
Based on your answers to the initial questions, create a formula for naming. For example, you may want each name to equal Unit + Property + Bedrooms
Step 4: Rewrite 5 Examples
Take 5 of your current unit names and rewrite them using your chosen formula. Does it feel better? If not, try a different formula.
Step 5: Test It
Ask yourself: If I saw this name on a busy calendar with 30 other units, could I find it in under 3 seconds?
If yes, you've found your naming convention
Naming Convention Best Practices
Rule 1: Put the Differentiator First
❌ Bad: Oak City Apartments U 1
❌ Bad:Oak City Apartments U 2
❌ Bad:Oak City Apartments U 3
Problem: When the calendar truncates, all three show "Oak City Apartments U..." and you can't tell them apart.
✅ Good: U1 Oak City 2BR
✅ Good:U2 Oak City 2BR
✅ Good:U3 Oak City 1BR
Why it works: The unique identifier (U1, U2, U3) comes first. Even if the name truncates, you can still tell units apart.
Rule 2: Keep It Under 25 Characters
Optimal length: 15-25 characters
Maximum: 30 characters (after this, names are truncated on most calendar views)
Quick test: Type your unit name and count the characters. If it's over 25, start trimming.
Rule 3: Use Abbreviations
Spell out nothing. Use shorthand wherever possible.
Instead of | Use |
Apartment | Apt or remove entirely |
Building | Bldg or B |
Bedroom | BR or BD |
Bathroom | BA or B |
Studio | STU |
Townhouse | TH |
Penthouse | PH |
Floor | F (e.g., 3F for 3rd floor) |
Downtown | DT |
Uptown | UT |
Rule 4: Remove Redundant Zeros
❌ Bad: Unit-0001
✅ Good:Unit 1 or U1
❌ Bad: Building-AAA-Unit-012
✅ Good:Bldg A U12 or A-12
Make changes but be cautious!
Create a crosswalk document that maps old names to new names. Keep it handy for 2-3 weeks. Your team will adjust faster than you think.
If you're unsure, start small. Rename one property and see how it feels. You can always adjust.