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# How to setting a start dates for Learnings

# How to Set a Start Date for Learnings

**In this article:**
* Overview
* Why use Learning Start Dates?
* Assigning a Start Date to a Learning
* Using Start Dates in Pathways
* Using Start Dates with Workflows
* Learner experience
* Who can do this

## Overview
Learning Start Dates let you control **when learners can begin an assigned Learning**. This makes sure content is accessed at the right time — not too early, and not too late. Start Dates work across Library content (courses, documents and so on), Pathways, Events, Forms, and Workflows and scheduled Learnings.

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## Why use Learning Start Dates?
Learning Start Dates are ideal when you're:

* Running structured onboarding programmes
* Managing new starters in cohorts
* Linking Learning to specific dates or events
* Automating Learning delivery with Workflows

## Assigning a Start Date to a Learning
1. Navigate to the course, Pathway, Event or Form.
2. Click **Assign**.
3. Select the users or groups.
4. Set the **Start Date**.
5. (Optional) Set a due date.
6. Choose whether to notify learners.
7. Click **Assign**.

Learners will see the Learning in **My Learning** but won't be able to start it until the Start Date.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/0/6/4/c0645e580ffc0800/image_1pe7hej.png)

## Using Start Dates in Pathways
Start Dates can be applied within Pathways at two levels — Sections and Steps.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/0/6/4/c0645e580ffc0800/image_dd5y56.png)

* When a Start Date is set on a **Section**, learners cannot access any Steps in that Section until the date is reached.
* When a Start Date is set on an individual **Step**, content unlocks progressively.

**To set a Start Date on a Section or Step:**

1. Open the Pathway editor.
2. Select a Section or Step and open its settings.
3. Set the Start Date, either on a specific date or relative to assignment (for example, a number of days after the learner is assigned).
4. Publish the Pathway.

## Using Start Dates with Workflows
Learning Start Dates are fully supported in **Workflows**. When configuring a Workflow assignment, you can set a fixed Start Date, or use a **relative Start Date**, such as:

* A specific day of the week
* A monthly pattern (for example, the second Monday of the month)

This is especially useful for scheduled onboarding programmes and monthly or fortnightly cohorts.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/0/6/4/c0645e580ffc0800/image_4wll3o.png)

## Learner experience
From the learner's perspective:

* The Learning appears in **My Learning**.
* Attempting to start it early displays a message explaining that it isn't yet available.
* Access is automatically unlocked on the Start Date.

No further action is required from you once a Start Date is set.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/0/6/4/c0645e580ffc0800/image_vhrsr3.png)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/0/6/4/c0645e580ffc0800/image_11c8kwo.png)

## Who can do this
You set Start Dates when assigning a Learning or when building a Pathway or Workflow, so it follows the same permissions as those actions. **Owners**, **Admins**, **Managers**, **People Managers** and **Instructors** can set a Start Date when assigning content. Editing Start Dates inside a Pathway (on Sections and Steps) is available to **Owners**, **Admins**, **Managers**, **Content Managers** and **Instructors**. **Employees** and **Restricted** users cannot set Start Dates.