---
title: "Getting Started with Proposals"
description: "Let’s walk through how to use the Proposals and how to create one from scratch."
url: https://help.clearcrm.com/en/articles/11462047-getting-started-with-proposals
collection: "Proposals"
updated: 2026-03-30
language: en
---

# Getting Started with Proposals

Let’s walk through how to use the Proposals and how to create one from scratch.

Proposals in ClearCRM are your formal offers — usually sent after an estimate has been approved, or when you’re ready to pitch the full scope of work to your client.

* * *

## 📋 Understanding the Proposals Page

When you go to the **Proposals** section from the left-hand navigation, you’ll see a table listing all your existing proposals. Here are the key columns you'll find:

-   **Proposal #** – Automatically generated unique ID
    
-   **Subject** – The title of your proposal
    
-   **To** – The customer or contact receiving the proposal
    
-   **Total** – The total monetary value
    
-   **Date / Open Till** – When the proposal was created and the expiry date
    
-   **Project** – (Optional) Linked project
    
-   **Tags** – For easy filtering or grouping
    
-   **Date Created** and **Status** – Helps you track progress (e.g. Draft, Sent, Revised)
    

* * *

## 🧭 Switch Between Views

You can toggle to a **Pipeline view** by clicking the **“Switch to Pipeline”** button on the top right. This gives you a kanban-style layout grouped by proposal status — perfect for tracking your pipeline visually.

If you need to download multiple proposals, use the **“Bulk PDF Export”** button to quickly save everything in one go.

* * *

## ➕ Creating a New Proposal

Click on **New Proposal** to open the creation form. The layout is similar to estimates and includes the following fields:

## Top Section:

-   **Customer** – Who the proposal is for
    
-   **Project** – (Optional) Connect to a relevant project
    
-   **Tags, Assigned Agent, Currency, and Discount Settings**
    

## Proposal Items:

You can list products or services, set quantity, price, tax, and add line item notes. Each item is automatically totaled.

## Additional Info:

-   **Client Notes** – Optional message or instructions for the recipient
    
-   **Terms & Conditions** – Any contractual or legal statements
    
-   **Total Calculation** – Shows subtotal, discounts, adjustments, and grand total
    

Once filled, hit **Save** to add it to your proposals list.

* * *

## 📤 What Happens Next?

After saving, you can revise your proposal anytime, or go ahead and **send** it to the client. As the proposal progresses, its **status** updates automatically (e.g. Sent, Open, Accepted).

* * *

## ✅ When Should You Use Proposals?

Use proposals when:

-   You’re moving forward from a successful estimate
    
-   You want to lock down the specifics of an offer
    
-   You need a formal document for approval before invoicing or contracting