# Create a Direct Contact

This article walks through the steps to create a new direct contact record in PEARS.

![Screenshot: The Create Direct Contact form showing the Reporting Period dropdown, Date Range selector, Unit field, Program Areas multi-select, Action Plans field, Comments text area, and Uploads section](/files/xTniA1UujgsRZJIRw9QU)

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**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
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{% step %}

#### Navigate to Direct Contacts

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Engage** menu and click **Direct Contacts**.
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#### Click Add Direct Contact

On the Direct Contacts list page, click the **Add Direct Contact** button.
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#### Select a Reporting Period

In the **Reporting Period** field, select the reporting period for this direct contact record.
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#### Select a Date Range

In the **Date Range** field, select the date range during which the contacts occurred.
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#### Select a Unit

In the **Unit** field, select the extension unit responsible for these contacts. This field defaults to your primary unit.
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#### Select Program Areas

In the **Program Areas** field, select the program area(s) that apply to the contacts made during this period. At least one program area is required.
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#### Select Action Plans (if applicable)

In the **Action Plans** field, select any action plans associated with these direct contacts.
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#### Add Comments and Uploads (optional)

In the **Comments** field, enter any additional notes. In the **Uploads** section, attach any relevant documents.
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#### Save and Continue

Click **Save and Continue** to save the record and proceed to the [Demographics](/engage/direct-contacts/add-demographics-data.md) page.
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