> ## 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.
# Tutorial 5: Pipeline Basics — Track Deals from Start to Close
> Pipeline stages, Board view, deal stage updates, Opportunities vs. list entries, saved views.
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## 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
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## 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.
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## 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
* [How to use board views in Affinity](/s/article/Lists)
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## 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
| **Aspect** | **List Entry** | **Opportunity** |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Complexity | Simple tracking | Complex deal with multiple parties |
| People | Single entity per row | Multiple people + companies linked |
| Fields | Standard list fields | Amount, close date, probability, custom fields |
| Use for | Sourcing lists, simple deal tracking | Investment rounds, enterprise sales, partnerships |
### Expected Outcome
You understand when to use a list entry vs. an Opportunity.
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## 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
* [How to create and use saved views within a list](/s/article/How-to-create-and-use-saved-views-in-new-lists)
* [How to customize saved views in your lists](/s/article/How-to-customize-saved-views-in-your-lists)
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## 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.
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## See It In Action
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## Where to Go Next
* **Next tutorial:** Tutorial 6: Relationship Intelligence
* **Learning Paths:** Deal Sourcing (Step 4), Deal Management (Step 2)