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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.


Immediate Value

After this tutorial, you’ll understand pipeline stages, use Board view for deal visualization, update deal stages in both Sheet and Board views, know the difference between Opportunities and list entries, and save custom views.

Prerequisites

  • Tutorial 1: Your First List

Quick-Start Roadmap

  1. Find the Status column in a deal list
  2. Use Board view for pipeline visualization
  3. Update a deal stage (Sheet and Board methods)
  4. Understand Opportunities vs. list entries
  5. Create an opportunity for a complex deal
  6. Save a custom view

What Pipelines Are in Affinity

A pipeline in Affinity is a list with a Status field that defines the stages a deal moves through. Board view renders that Status field as Kanban-style columns. Opportunities are a separate record type for complex deals that involve multiple linked people and companies plus financial fields.

Task 1: Find the Status Column

Context

The Status column defines the stages deals move through and drives Board view.

Action

  1. Open any deal list (e.g., your Pipeline or Deal Tracking list).
  2. Look for the “Status” column in the header row.
  3. Click any Status field to see the dropdown options (e.g., New, Qualified, Due Diligence, Closed Won).
If your list doesn’t have a Status column, you can add one — Tutorial 9 covers configuring Status fields and stages.

Expected Outcome

You can see the Status column and its defined stages for your deal list.

Task 2: Board View — Pipeline Visualization

Context

Board view renders the list as a Kanban board with deals as cards organized by Status.

🎬 Watch

Action

  1. In your list, find the Views header row (just above the column headers).
  2. Click the ”+” icon at the right end of the views row.
  3. Select “New Board View” and give it a name.
  4. Entries appear as cards in columns by Status. Drag a card from one column to another to change its status.
If a board view already exists on this list, click it directly in the Views row instead of creating a new one.
If “Board” is grayed out or Affinity prompts you to create a Status field: your list doesn’t have a Status field yet. Tutorial 9 covers adding Status fields.

Expected Outcome

You see your deals as draggable cards organized by pipeline stage.

📚 Help Center


Task 3: Update a Deal Stage

Context

Two methods, both auto-save. Pick whichever fits the view you’re already in.

Action

Sheet view method:
  1. Click the Status field on any row.
  2. Select the new stage from the dropdown.
  3. Saves automatically. Board view method:
  4. Drag the deal card to a different column.
  5. Status updates automatically. Try both methods.

Expected Outcome

You’ve updated a deal stage using both methods. The change is reflected in both Sheet and Board views.

Task 4: Opportunities vs. List Entries

Context

Affinity has two record types for tracking deals. Use list entries for most tracking; use Opportunities when a deal involves multiple parties and financial terms.

Action

AspectList EntryOpportunity
ComplexitySimple trackingComplex deal with multiple parties
PeopleSingle entity per rowMultiple people + companies linked
FieldsStandard list fieldsAmount, close date, probability, custom fields
Use forSourcing lists, simple deal trackingInvestment rounds, enterprise sales, partnerships

Expected Outcome

You understand when to use a list entry vs. an Opportunity.

Task 5: Create an Opportunity

Context

Opportunities are for deals with multiple stakeholders and financial terms.

Action

  1. Press Cmd+K / Alt+K and search for the target company.
  2. Open the organization profile.
  3. Scroll to the Opportunities section. Click the ”+” button (or “Create Opportunity” link) inside that section.
  4. Fill in the key fields:
    • Name (e.g., “TechCorp Series B”)
    • Stage (e.g., New, Qualified, Due Diligence)
    • Owner (who’s leading this deal)
    • Expected Close Date
    • Amount (deal size, if known)
  5. Click “Create”.

Expected Outcome

You’ve created an Opportunity with linked entities and financial fields.

Task 6: Save a Custom View

Context

Saved views capture your filter, sort, and column configuration so you can return to them with one click. Build different views for different contexts (your deals, this quarter, high priority, etc.).

Action

  1. Apply the filters, sorts, and column visibility you want (e.g., Status = “Active”, sorted by Last Contact).
  2. Open the sheet view’s toolbar menu and click “Save as new sheet view”.
  3. Name your view (e.g., “My Active Deals”) in the modal and confirm.
  4. The saved view now appears in the Views header row. Click it any time to return to that configuration.
To start a brand-new view from scratch instead, click the ”+” icon at the right end of the Views row.
Useful view patterns:
  • “My Deals” — filtered to your ownership
  • “High Value” — sorted by deal amount
  • “This Quarter” — close date within the next 90 days
  • “Stale Deals” — last contact > 30 days ago

Expected Outcome

You have a saved view accessible from the Views dropdown with one click.

📚 Help Center


Common Questions

Yes. Different saved views can have different Status groupings. Each saved view stores its own Board configuration.
The card’s Status field updates to the new column’s value. The change auto-saves and reflects in all other views of the list.
Saved views are private by default. You can share them with your team — Tutorial 15 covers locking and sharing saved views.

See It In Action


Where to Go Next

  • Next tutorial: Tutorial 6: Relationship Intelligence
  • Learning Paths: Deal Sourcing (Step 4), Deal Management (Step 2)