# Understanding lists

URL: https://attio.com/help/reference/attio-101/attios-data-model/understanding-lists
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Learn how lists work in Attio.

## The power of lists

Lists give you the power to organize records in whatever way works best for you. By adding records to a list, you can include additional data for each one. This data can be tailored to a specific workflow or business process, like customer onboarding or managing sales pipelines, without altering the original records themselves.

This flexibility is what makes lists so powerful. You can work with the same records in multiple contexts, customizing them for the needs of different projects or teams. All the while, the underlying records remain untouched, serving as a consistent single source of truth that keeps everyone aligned.

> For a video walkthrough, see **Lists** in Attio Academy.

### List entries

Let’s look at this **Recruiting** list as an example, which Basepoint has built to manage their candidate pipeline. They can view the records in their list in either a table or kanban format. In this case, we’ll focus on the table view.

![Table view of list displaying a recruitment process with columns for name, applying for, manager, stage, potential start date, and source type.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2458x1464/5353aa7243/recruiting-list.png)

When you add a record to a list, Attio creates a list entry. A list entry is an instance of that record within the list, and it’s where list-specific attribute values are stored. In table views, each row is a list entry. In kanban views, each card is a list entry.

The same record can appear more than once in a single list. For example, if the same person applies for two different roles, they can have two separate entries in a Recruiting list, one entry per application. Both entries point to the same underlying person record, but each entry can have different values for list attributes like `Applying for`, `Stage`, or `Hiring manager`.

This distinction is important because different kinds of data live in different places:

- **Object attribute** values live on the record (for example, `Name` or `Email addresses` on the People object).
- **List attribute** values live on the list entry (for example, `Applying for` in the Recruiting list).

For example, `Dee` shows `Applying for` the `Account Executive` role. When accessing Dee's record directly, this attribute and data point appear in the right sidebar under `Lists`, as part of the list entry. However, this data isn't embedded in the core record itself, which is found in the **Record Details** section.

![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1344x1186/fffb1543ad/recruiting-list-example.png)

This feature makes lists incredibly valuable, as it allows teams to analyze, organize, and track records in ways that suit their specific needs without changing the underlying record or affecting how it appears elsewhere. Team members can add extra data points without modifying the core record data.

### Types of list views

Attio offers two list views to suit your workflow: table and kanban.

The table view presents your list data in a familiar spreadsheet-like format:

![A recruitment tracking table view showing applicants, roles, managers, stages, potential start dates, and sources.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2458x1464/5353aa7243/recruiting-list.png)

The kanban view allows you to visualize your records as cards on a board, organized into columns that represent stages in your workflow:

![Recruitment pipeline kanban showing stages: Lead, Screening, Interviewing, Offered, Hired. Candidates listed with roles and status updates.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2460x1454/6ff49b8553/recruiting-list-kanban.png)

These columns are based on your list's `Status` attribute, which allows you to define the steps or stages in a process. You can customize these status values to match the stages of your workflow (e.g., for a recruiting pipeline these stages may be "New," "Screening," "Interviewing," etc.).

As records progress through your workflow, you can update their status, moving the corresponding cards to the appropriate column. For this example list, our list columns are based on the following stages:

![Form for stage attribute creation with fields for type, name, and description. Status options include New, Screening, Interviewing, Offered, Hired, Rejected.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1642x1008/89f537e755/list-stages.png)

## How to create a list

Creating a new list in Attio is a straightforward process that only takes a few clicks. In this guide, we'll walk through creating a sample list together so you can see exactly how it works. Here’s how to do it:

In the left sidebar, click the `+` next to `Lists` in the lists section.

![List of companies and sidebar with various options like records and lists, with create list option highlighted](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1250x914/2a51aac2e6/create-a-list.png)

You’ll now see options to start a list with a template or start from scratch. For this example, select `Start from Scratch` .

![A dashboard displaying various list templates for sales, investing, recruiting, and more, with descriptions and category labels.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2470x1260/1a2f695ef0/understandinglists_7.png)

Now, choose the object that will form the basis of your list and give it a name.

Attio lists are designed to work with a single object type, which helps keep your data organized and focused.

In this case, we'll choose the `People` object and name our list **Recruiting**. Once you've made your selection and entered the name, click `Create list` to finish setting it up.

![Interface showing a template creation with "People" as the object and "Recruiting" as the list name. Options to cancel or create.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1454x528/fb33b0692f/new-list.png)

You’ll now have the option to start your list with a table or kanban view. In this case, we’re going to explore both.

Since we know this list will have a pipeline component to it, we’ll select `Kanban` for now.

![Options to create and manage kanban and table views, with buttons for learning more and deleting a list.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2460x1456/6ad83c3122/new-view-table-kanban.png)

### Setting up your kanban view

Since a kanban view visualizes the progression of records, we are prompted to create a `Status` attribute before moving forward. That way our view knows which stages to track.

Let’s make the title of our view `Candidate pipeline`, and then click the dropdown under Status attribute and select `+ New Status Attribute`. Let’s name our new Status attribute `Status`.

![Screenshot of a "Create view" interface with options for "Table" and "Kanban" views, titled "Candidate pipeline," with "Status" as an attribute.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1276x742/52763534cf/new-kanban-view.png)

You’ll now see a blank canvas for your kanban view with a column that says **No stage**.

### Adding stages to your pipeline

Click the `+` next to the **No stage** column and type `New` as a new stage name. Click the arrow on the left and choose any color your want, and hit enter.

![Screenshot of a recruiting software interface showing a "Candidate pipeline" dropdown and a "New" stage with a green dot indicator.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/988x680/87974b6c36/new-kanban-stage.png)

Next click the `+` outside of the columns (the second `+`) and create `Screening`, `Interviewing`, `Offered`, `Hired`, `Rejected`, and `Dropped out`.

### List attributes

Now that our kanban board is ready, the next step is defining what list-specific data we want to track in our list. In Attio, this information is stored in list attributes.

Before we create custom attributes for our strategic accounts process, let's see what attributes are available out-of-the-box via our `People` object.

## Exploring the table view

We could do this in our kanban view by clicking `View settings > Add card row`. However, in this case, let’s first explore attributes using a table view instead, as it is similar to a spreadsheet and will feel more intuitive:

1. Click the `Candidate pipeline` dropdown at the top left of your list (under your list title) and select `Create new view`.
2. Choose `Table` as the view type, name it **All candidates**, and click `Create view`.

![Dialog box for creating a view, with options for "Table" and "Kanban," a title input field, and "Create view" and "Cancel" buttons.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1344x618/256708be93/understanding_lists_table.png)

In the table view, each attribute is displayed as a column. By default, there is a single column called `Person`. This column is always present because it identifies what type of data is being tracked in this list. Since we're working with a list based on the `People` object, `Person` is the key attribute that each row represents.

![A blank recruiting list with options to add candidates, view settings, and import/export data. "No records" message displayed.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2444x1458/69254594f5/new-table-view.png)

### Adding object attributes

From here, we can add columns for any other information we want to track. Capturing the right data will help us manage our candidates effectively as they move through the pipeline.

For example purposes, let’s add a record to our list. Click Add Person and find a company in your records, or hit just `e`. In this case, we're adding a candidate named `Benton`. We won’t set a status for now.

![Recruiting interface with options to add candidates and set status. A button labeled "Add to list" is visible.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1856x1276/ba0fd7609f/add-person-to-list.png)

Now let’s take a look and add some object attributes that we think would help us in our workflow to manage candidates. Click the outside (second) `+` next to the Person column and a drop down will appear with a list of every object attribute available.

![Recruiting list displaying options to add attributes like Record ID, Name, and Email to a candidate view.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1844x1268/634d4944ac/add-column-table-view.png)

You can add attributes by either exploring through each category or typing in the name of the attribute you’re looking for. For example, let’s add `Description`, `City`, `Job title`, `Last Email Interaction > When`, and `Strongest Connection`.

![Candidate list with columns for name, description, city, job title, and LinkedIn.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2468x966/58998c5385/table-view-with-attributes.png)

### Renaming attributes

Now you’ll notice that the attribute headers look a little messy. This is because Attio shows the paths of your attributes. So in the case of `Person > Primary Location > City`, this is telling us that for each record, we’ll be showing the data point for the `City` attribute of the `People` object.

It’s nice to know the logic behind the structure, but it’s not really necessary to show the full path of the attribute each time. We can rename our attributes easily by clicking the attribute header and choosing `Edit column label`. Let’s call this attribute just `City` and click `Save label`.

![Recruiting data with options to sort, move, or edit columns. A row displays a candidate's job title and city.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1578x950/85b12790b7/edit-column-label.png)

If we ever want to remember the path of this attribute, we can click the column header and it will show the original path.

![Recruiting table with columns for person, description, city, and job title. A menu is open for column options.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1574x992/0ae12d6faa/original-attribute-name.png)

If we want to clear the label, we can click on the attribute header again, choose `Edit column label` and select `Clear label`.

### Enriched attributes

You’ll also notice that all of these attributes have lightning bolt icons next to the headers, and the cells are a light purple to indicate they are **enriched**. For enriched attributes, Attio automatically pulls data from 100s of public sources, so you don’t have to. [Learn more about enriched data](https://attio.com/help/reference/managing-your-data/enriched-data).

![List titled "Recruiting" with columns for person, description, city, and job title. A tooltip explains an enriched attribute feature.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1563x762/ad8cf6f5bd/enriched-attribute-label.png)

### Adding list attributes

Now let’s create some attributes that are specific to our list. Again, you use lists in Attio to manage any type of workflow. In this case, we’ve built this recruiting list to manage our process of tracking our candidates.

Let’s add and create a few attributes that will help us with that process. First, it’s important to note we already have one list attribute already built: `Status`. Let’s go ahead and add that in.

Let’s also move it closer to the main attribute column, right next to `Job title`. We can do that by dragging the attribute column over. From there, let’s select `New` as the stage.

![Recruitment table with columns for person, description, city, job title, and status. Dropdown menu on the right with option to select status.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2158x996/23f372057e/add-list-stage.png)

Now if we switch back to our Candidate pipeline view, you’ll see that your record is now in the `New` column. We’ll dive into this later. For now, let’s go back to our `All candidates` table view and create some new attributes.

### Example: Applying for

Let’s create a new attribute to track which role the candidate has applied for. There are two ways to do this: we can either scroll all the way right and hit the `+ > Create new attribute`, or we can click `View settings > Add new column > Create new attribute` on the top right. Let’s do it this way.

![Recruiting list interface showing a form to create an attribute. Fields include name, description, options, and default value.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1808x1304/6b9b7a9ce1/new-list-attribute.png)

We’ll want the attribute type to be `Select`, as we’ll be add a single role each person is applying for. We can call the attribute `Applying for`. Under `Options`, create an option for each open role. You can enter a description if you’d like, and if you want each record to have a default value, you can. In this case, we’ll leave it blank and click `Create attribute`.

A new column will be created at the right. Let’s add a role, and then drag our new `Applying for` column to in between `Status` and `Job title`.

### Example: Hiring manager

We need another attribute to track the hiring manager for each candidate. This time, let’s scroll all the way right and click `+ > Create new attribute`.

We’ll make the attribute type User, and give it a name of `Hiring manager`. Go ahead and click `Create attribute`. Let’s move this attribute to in between `Status` and `Applying for`.

![Popup window titled "Create attribute" with fields for name, description, default value, and constraints in a recruiting software interface.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1836x1234/74d6aef793/hiring-manager-attribute.png)

Let’s add a user as the hiring manager.

### Running sorts and filters

Just like when you access your object pages, you’re able to filter and sort your records as you see fit. For example, in this list, we can quickly filter by `Status`, `Applying for`, `Hiring manager`, or any attribute or data point.

![Recruitment tracker with columns for candidate details, including name, city, job title, and hiring manager.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2460x736/d3031b2105/filter-list.png)

## Exploring the kanban view

Let’s explore kanban views next. Click the `All candidates` dropdown at the top left of your list and select `Candidate pipeline` again.

### Adding card rows

The first thing you’ll immediately notice is that our kanban cards look a little bare.

![Kanban board showing recruitment stages: New, Screening, Interviewing, Offered. Each stage lists candidates with icons for notes and attachments.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2082x732/e511b66c2b/kanban-cards.png)

That’s because we need to configure our cards to show the attributes we care about in our workflow. We can do this by clicking `View settings > Add card row` and choosing our attributes.

Let’s add `Applying for`, `Hiring manager`, and `Company`.

![Recruiting kanban pipeline with columns for candidates, interviewing, and offered, featuring dropdown filters.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/2078x1292/2cca9f7206/add-card-rows-kanban.png)

You can also remove rows the same way by clicking the `⋮` icon next to a visible attribute, then `Remove card row`.

### Tracking time in stages

One of the key advantages of kanban views is that they provide a visual representation of your workflow, making it easy to spot bottlenecks that might not be immediately apparent in a table view.

Attio takes advantage of this with our `Track time in stage` feature. Click on a stage name and select `Track time in stage` and specify the amount days, months or years:

![Recruiting dashboard showing candidate stages: New, Screening, and Interviewing, with options to track time and set target days.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1568x1290/73b1de97c8/time-in-stage-kanban.png)

By setting a target time (the maximum a record should be in a stage), you can instantly see which records are getting stuck in your process. Stagnant cards visually stand out with a red timer in the corner.

### Hiding or deleting columns

In Attio, it’s easy to hide or delete columns in a kanban. Simply click on a stage name and click `Hide stage` or `Delete stage`.

![Recruiting pipeline with stages: New, Screening, and Interviewing. Includes candidate cards with names and job titles.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1578x1062/28e652826e/hide-delete-stage-kanban.png)

If you’d like to hide the `No stage` column. Click `View settings > Visible` columns and unmark `No status`.

![Recruitment dashboard with candidate pipeline stages: New, Interviewing, and Hired. Visible columns settings are displayed.](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1566x1064/f8faba93d2/remove-no-stage-kanban.png)

### Bulk stage updates

You can easily move multiple cards between stages at once. Simply click the checkbox in the top right corner of each card you want to move (or select one card, hold shift, and select another to grab all cards in between), then drag and drop them to the next stage:

![Recruitment pipeline showing kanban cards changing stages in bulk](https://a.storyblok.com/f/234930/1976x1452/32253379aa/bulk-stage-updates.png)

## Learn more

For a deeper dive into all the things you can do with lists and views, see the [Lists](https://attio.com/help/reference/managing-your-data/lists/) and [Views](https://attio.com/help/reference/managing-your-data/views/) pages of our Reference section.

## Up next

Now that you've learned about objects, attributes, records, and lists, decide which objects, lists, and views you need for your workspace in [Define your data model](https://attio.com/help/reference/attio-101/attios-data-model/define-your-data-model-objects-lists-and-views).