---
title: Document stages
summary: Set up the list of design stages for documents, such as Concept design or Technical design.
order: 7
menu: Company settings > Planning > Document Stages
route: /documentstages
who: People who have the View Other Masters permission. You also need the View Documents permission to see the menu item.
---

A document stage says how far a document has progressed. Examples are `Concept design`, `Developed design` and `Technical design`. You create the list once. When someone uploads a document to a project, they choose one stage in the **Stage** field.

A stage is different from a purpose. The stage says where the document is in the design. The [purpose](document-purposes.md) says why it was shared.

## Before you start

Nothing is needed first. You can add stages at any time.

## How to add a stage

1. Open **Company settings > Planning > Document Stages**.
2. Click **Add New** (mark 1 in the first picture).
3. Type the name in **Stage:** (mark 1 in the second picture). For example, `Concept design`.
4. Click **Save** (mark 2). The button stays grey until you type a name.

![The Document Stages list. Mark 1 is Add New. Mark 2 is the search box.](../media/document-stage-list.png)

![The dialog that adds a document stage. Mark 1 is the Stage field. Mark 2 is Save.](../media/document-stage-add-dialog.png)

## How to edit or delete a stage

1. Click the three dots at the end of the stage row.
2. Click **Edit**, change the name, and click **Save**.
3. Or click **Delete** and confirm the question.

Type at least 3 characters in **Search (min. 3 characters)** (mark 2 in the first picture) to find a stage. Click the **STAGE** heading to sort.

## What the columns mean

| Name | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| **STAGE** | The name of the stage, as people see it when they upload a document. |

## Rules to know

- A stage name cannot repeat. The system shows **Document Stage cannot be repeated**.
- You cannot delete a stage that a document uses. The system shows **Documents are present for this stage.** Change the stage on those documents first.
- You see **Edit** only with the Edit permission and **Delete** only with the Delete permission.

## If something goes wrong

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Document Stage cannot be repeated** | The name exists. Use the existing stage. |
| **Documents are present for this stage.** | Change the stage on those documents, then delete again. |
| **Document Stages** is not in the menu | Ask your administrator for the View Other Masters and View Documents permissions. |

## Related pages

- [Document purposes](document-purposes.md): the second list a document uses.
- [Document folders](document-folders.md): where documents are stored.
- [Planning masters](index.md): the order to set up the planning lists.