---
title: "Join a workspace"
slug: "join-a-workspace"
tags: ["Participant", "Totara Engage", "How-to"]
updated: 2025-07-22T10:52:18Z
published: 2025-07-22T11:18:53Z
canonical: "totara.help/join-a-workspace"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Join a workspace

While you may want to [add specific users](/19/docs/add-a-member-to-a-workspace) or [audiences](/19/docs/add-members-to-a-workspace-in-bulk) to [workspaces](/19/docs/what-are-workspaces) in some instances, you might also want users to find workspaces that interest them independently. Users can search for public and private workspaces by going to *Collaborate > Find workspaces* from the top navigation bar.

## Public workspaces

Follow these steps to join a public workspace:

1. Go to **Your workspaces** from the main menu.
2. Click **Find workspaces**.
3. Browse the list for a workspace you want to join.
4. Click **Join** on the workspace thumbnail. Alternatively, click the thumbnail to view the workspace first, then click **Join workspace** in the right-hand information panel.

You are now a member of the workspace.

![Browsing the available workspaces via Find workspaces..](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1721828500300.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A49%3A53Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A49%3A53Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=3QUF6ontYZ%2FRz4x%2BW8w9PHAKpEPayT0aiOr9fOm73Wg%3D)

You don’t require permission to join a public workspace, meaning you are free to join any public spaces that interest you. Workspaces you have already joined will still appear on the **Find workspaces** page, but the **Join** button will instead say **Joined**. After joining a workspace, it will appear in the left-hand panel of your **Library** under **Your workspaces**.

## Private workspaces

Follow these steps to join a private workspace:

1. Go to **Your workspaces** from the main menu.
2. Click **Find workspaces**.
3. Browse the list for a workspace you want to join.
4. Click **Request to join**.
5. Optionally, you can enter some text about why you wish to join.

You will then need to wait for the Workspace Owner to approve (or decline) your request.

After being approved you will be a member of that workspace. Regardless of whether you are approved or declined, you will receive a notification to inform you of the Workspace Owner's decision.

If you decide that you no longer wish to join that workspace then you can cancel your request by following these steps:

1. Go to **Your workspaces** from the main menu.
2. Click **Find workspaces**.
3. Click the **Cancel** **request** button on the workspace tile.

Users cannot join a hidden private workspace. Workspace Owners must manually add members to a hidden workspace.

## Next steps

- [Start a discussion](/19/docs/start-a-discussion)
- [Participate in discussions](/19/docs/participate-in-discussions)
- [Report inappropriate content](/19/docs/report-inappropriate-content)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge_workspaces-in-totara-engage.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A49%3A53Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A49%3A53Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=3QUF6ontYZ%2FRz4x%2BW8w9PHAKpEPayT0aiOr9fOm73Wg%3D)

Join the conversation on [workspaces](https://totara.community/course/view.php?id=891) in the Totara Community.

The Totara Academy has a whole course dedicated to using [Workspaces in Totara](https://totara.community/course/view.php?id=891). Here you can find out more about setting up and using workspaces, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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