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

# How To Set Up Status Triggers

> Help center reference

<Note>
  **How-to** — task-oriented recipe.
</Note>

## Overview

Status Triggers automatically prompt you to fill required fields when changing a list entry's status to a specific value. This ensures critical information is captured at key moments in your deal flow, maintaining data quality and enforcing consistent workflows across your team.

## Prerequisites

**Permissions Required:**

* You must be a List Owner or List Admin to configure Status Triggers
* To become a List Admin, ask the List Owner to grant you admin access

**What You Need:**

* List with a Status field (or Ranked Dropdown field used for pipeline stages)
* List-specific fields created to serve as required fields
* Understanding of which information is critical at each pipeline stage

## Step 1: Navigate to Triggers Settings

1. Open the list where you want to configure Status Triggers
2. Click **List Options** in the top-right corner
3. Click **Triggers**
4. The Triggers configuration panel opens

## Step 2: Create a New Status Trigger

1. Click the **Status Triggers** tab
2. Click **Create New Trigger**
3. The trigger configuration form appears

## Step 3: Select the Status Value

1. In the **Status** dropdown, select which status value will activate this trigger

* Example: "Due Diligence", "Passed", "Partner Review"
* This is the status that, when selected by a user, will prompt the required fields modal **Important:** Each status value can only have ONE trigger configuration (but that trigger can require multiple fields)

## Step 4: Select Required Fields

1. In the **Required Fields** section, select which fields must be completed
2. You can select multiple fields for a single trigger
3. **Only list-specific fields** can be required (global fields not currently supported)
4. Formula fields are automatically excluded (they auto-calculate)

**Common examples:**

* "Due Diligence" status → Require: "DD Lead", "Target Close Date", "Investment Memo Link"
* "Passed" status → Require: "Pass Reason", "Pass Category"
* "Partner Review" status → Require: "Deal Champion", "Investment Thesis"

## Step 5: Save the Trigger

1. Review your configuration
2. Click **Save**
3. The trigger is now active and will fire when users change status to your selected value

## Step 6: Test the Trigger (Optional but Recommended)

1. Navigate to a test entry in your list
2. Change the status to your trigger value
3. Verify the required fields modal appears
4. Complete fields to ensure workflow works as expected
5. Confirm entry updates with both status and required fields

## Expected Outcome

* When any user changes an entry's status to your configured value, a modal appears
* User must complete all required fields before status change saves
* Entry updates with new status AND required field values
* In New Lists: If both Status Trigger and Opportunity Trigger exist for same status, they appear in consolidated modal
* Team maintains consistent data capture at critical pipeline milestones

## Where Status Triggers Fire

**Surfaces where triggers work:**

* Sheets view in Classic and New versions
* Kanban/Board view
* Entity Profiles
* Pathfinder
* Mobile App (only on first status when adding, not subsequent changes)

**Surfaces where triggers do NOT fire:**

* Adding via Lists column
* Data imports
* API calls
* Outlook Add-in

## Tips & Best Practices

**Configuration Strategy:**

* **Start with critical fields only** - Don't overwhelm users with too many requirements
* **Consider workflow timing** - Require fields at the stage where information is actually known
* **One trigger per status** - Can't have multiple triggers, but can require multiple fields in one trigger
* **Document expectations** - Communicate to team why certain fields are required
* **Review and iterate** - Regularly assess whether required fields are still necessary **Field Selection:**
* Choose fields that are **critical** for that stage (not nice-to-have)
* Avoid requiring fields with information not yet available
* Consider using text fields for flexibility (e.g., free text instead of rigid dropdowns)
* Cannot require: Formula fields, Communication fields, Status field itself

**Team Communication:**

* Announce new triggers to your team before activating
* Explain the "why" behind required fields
* Create documentation or examples of what to put in each field
* Gather feedback and adjust based on team input

**Common Mistakes to Avoid:**

* Don't create triggers for every status (causes trigger fatigue)
* Don't require fields that users won't know at that stage
* Don't require too many fields at once (5+ fields = friction)
* Don't forget to test before rolling out to whole team

**Key Behaviors to Remember:**

* Triggers only fire when status **changes** (not on every save)
* User cannot bypass triggers (must complete to proceed)
* Canceling trigger = status change is cancelled
* Triggers cascade: Status Trigger fires before Opportunity Trigger if both configured

## Common Use Cases

**Ensuring Investment Thesis Documentation:** "I want to make sure every deal moving to 'Partner Review' has documented investment thesis." → Configure trigger on "Partner Review" requiring "Investment Thesis" field.

**Capturing Pass Reasons:** "We need to document why we passed on each deal for future pattern analysis." → Configure trigger on "Passed" status requiring "Pass Reason" and "Key Learnings" fields.

**Assigning Due Diligence Ownership:** "When deals move to DD, we need clear ownership and timeline." → Configure trigger on "Due Diligence" requiring "DD Lead" and "Target Close Date" fields.