---
title: "Add stages to an approval workflow"
slug: "add-stages-to-an-approval-workflow"
tags: ["Site Administrator", "Totara Platform", "How-to"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:02Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:02Z
canonical: "totara.help/add-stages-to-an-approval-workflow"
---

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

# Add stages to an approval workflow

After creating a new draft [approval workflow](/totara-20/docs/what-are-approval-workflows) you will probably want to add stages. There are four types of stage which can be added to accomplish different tasks:

- **Applicant:** A stage for collecting a form response from the applicant
- **Approver:** A stage for approving (or rejecting) the application
- **Waiting:** A stage which pauses the application until a specific external event occurs
- **End:** A stage where the application is considered complete or cannot progress further
- **Scripting ID**: A unique identifier used by approval form plugin logic. The Scripting ID allows the Stage name to be changed or localised using multi-language filtering without affecting any scripted behaviour that references the stage. The value remains constant even if the display name changes.

The circled **+** button at the top of the list of stages is used to add new stages. If you don’t see a **+** button, check that the workflow is labelled as a **Draft** at the top of the page, as you can only add stages to draft workflows. You can also use the **Clone** action to create a new draft from an existing workflow.

1. Click the circled **+** icon at the top of the stage list to add a new workflow stage.
2. Give the stage a **Stage name**. This can be changed later.
3. Choose the type of stage to add.
4. Click the **Add** button.

You can now configure the stage, or add additional stages as required.

![Adding an approver stage to an approval workflow.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-1665067061635.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A17%3A39Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A17%3A39Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=3HGVz8N8Us0VmLed%2FFyPfw6ekcekzdIH8lEKnIZLEBU%3D)

## Next steps

- [Configure an applicant stage](/totara-20/docs/configure-an-applicant-stage)
- [Configure an approver stage](/totara-20/docs/configure-an-approver-stage)
- [Configure a waiting stage](/totara-20/docs/configure-a-waiting-stage)
- [Configure an end stage](/totara-20/docs/configure-an-end-stage)

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

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