> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/engage/direct-contacts.md).

# Direct Contacts

Track and report counts of one-on-one interactions that do not meet the definition of a program activity, along with their demographics.

A **Direct Contact** in PEARS counts the one-on-one interactions you had during a specific date range — generally the interactions that do not meet the definition of a program activity. Each record captures the unit, program areas, communication methods used, and demographic data of the people contacted.

## Getting Started

To access Direct Contacts, hover over the **Engage** menu in the top navigation bar and click **Direct Contacts**. The Direct Contacts list displays all of your records with options to search, filter, sort, and create new entries.

![Screenshot: The Direct Contacts list view showing the records table with columns for date range, unit, program areas, completed, created by, created, and last modified, along with the search bar, filters, and Add button](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0108b36bcef14bd7dccbeadf42e75aae01cff2de%2Fdirect-contacts-list-view.png?alt=media)

## Workflow

Creating a complete direct contact record involves several steps:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### General Information

Enter the reporting period, date range, unit, program areas, and other basic details.

[Create a Direct Contact](/engage/direct-contacts/create-a-direct-contact.md)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Demographics

Enter the number of people contacted and their demographic breakdown by communication method, gender, age, ethnicity, and race.

[Add Demographics Data](/engage/direct-contacts/add-demographics-data.md)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Mark as Complete

Once all required sections are finished, mark the direct contact as complete.

[Mark a Direct Contact as Complete](/engage/direct-contacts/mark-a-direct-contact-as-complete.md)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** You can have only one direct contact record for a given unit and date range. If a record already exists for your unit and date range, you will need to edit the existing record instead of creating a new one. If your organization allows more granular direct contacts, you can add another record for the same unit and date range as long as its program areas do not overlap.
{% endhint %}