> 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/partners/add-a-partner.md).

# Add a Partner

Learn how to create a partner record in the Partners module in PEARS.

This article walks through the **General Information** section of a partner record — the only section required before the partner is saved.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
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{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Navigate to Partners

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Engage** menu and click **Partners**.
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{% step %}

#### Click Add Partner

On the Partners list page, click the **Add Partner** button.

![Screenshot: Partners list with the Add Partner button visible.](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2FrSBjaieLaw1tA4q9U3hm%2Fpartners-list-add-button.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Record Owner (Data Managers only)

Data Managers see a **Record Owner** field and can assign the record to another user. Everyone else is set as the owner automatically.

The owner is who access requests are sent to.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** If a Data Manager reassigns ownership later, the previous owner keeps **View & Edit** access as an explicit sharing grant, which the new owner can downgrade or remove.
{% endhint %}

![Screenshot: Add Partner General Information form with name, partner type, site, unit, and start date fields.](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2FEPC7Ojdb5adwI5xk29wc%2Fpartner-create-form-general-info.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter the Partner Name **\***

In the **Name** field, enter the organization's name as you want it to appear in lists and reports.
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#### Select a Partner Type **\***

In the **Partner type** dropdown, select the category that describes this organization. The options come from your organization's Entity Types list, and **Other** is listed last.

If you select **Other**, a **Please specify other partner type** field appears and is required.
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{% step %}

#### Select a Site **\***

In the **Site** field, search for and select the primary site or organization this partner is attached to. Start typing to search — the list is not pre-loaded.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** If the site does not exist yet, click **Add Site** next to the field to create it without leaving the partner form. See Add a Site for the site fields.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select a Unit **\***

In the **Unit** field, select the primary unit this partner is attached to. This defaults to your unit.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The unit does more than describe the partner — it determines who can see the record by default. When you finish General Information, PEARS creates the partner's first sharing grant targeting this unit. See Partner Permissions.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Set the Start Date **\***

In the **Start date** field, select the date the partnership began.
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{% step %}

#### Set the End Date (optional)

Leave **End date** blank while the partnership is active. Setting an end date marks the partner **Ended** in the list and on the record.

The end date cannot be earlier than the start date.
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{% step %}

#### Add Comments (optional)

In the **Comments** field, describe the relationship or add any context worth keeping with the record. This is a rich text field.
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#### Attach the Partnership Agreement (optional)

In the **Latest partnership agreement** field, upload the current signed agreement. This is a single-file field — uploading a new agreement replaces the reference to the previous one.
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#### Add File Attachments (optional)

In the **File attachments** field, upload any other supporting documents. This field accepts multiple files.
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#### Save the Partner

Click **Save and Continue** to move on to Partner Permissions, or **Save** to store the record and open its detail page.

![Screenshot: Add Partner form showing Save and Continue and Save buttons.](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2FlMRPTbERdaSgX730mjJy%2Fpartner-create-save-buttons.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Custom Data

If your organization has attached custom fields to Partners, a **Custom Data** step appears in the progress panel after the record is saved. Unlike the other Partner sections, this step tracks real completion — it shows as incomplete until the required custom fields are filled in. See Manage Custom Fields.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** There is no **Mark as Complete** step on a partner record. Enter the general information, set permissions, and the record is usable — reporting happens in [Partner Reports](/reflect/partner-reports.md).
{% endhint %}