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

# How to invite candidates to an exam

Coordinators need to invite candidates to an exam. In **Talview**, you can invite candidates directly from the step’s candidate list without leaving the page. In this article, you will explore how to invite candidates to a workflow step either **manually** or **by uploading a template**.

***

### Step-by-Step Guide

**1. Open the workflow step**

* Navigate to the exam or workflow.
* Open the **step** where you want to invite candidates.
* Click **Invite** in the top-right corner of the candidate list.

A side panel opens on the right.

**2. Review the invite panel**

* The **Invite** panel is pre-filled with the current workflow and step.

| Field                 | Description                                     |
| :-------------------- | :---------------------------------------------- |
| **Workflow**          | Shows the current workflow or exam (read-only). |
| **Step**              | Shows the current step (read-only).             |
| **Timezone**          | Defaults to your timezone. You can change it.   |
| **Notify Candidates** | Enabled by default to send notifications.       |

* Below these fields is a table where candidate details appear.
* Columns include:
  * **Full Name**
  * **External ID**
  * **Email Address**
  * **Phone Number**

**3. Option One: add candidates manually**

* Click **Add Candidate**.
* Enter the candidate details in the row.

| Field             | Requirement                |
| :---------------- | :------------------------- |
| **Full Name**     | Optional                   |
| **External ID**   | Optional                   |
| **Email Address** | Required and must be valid |
| **Phone Number**  | Optional                   |

* You can add more rows using **Add Candidate**.
* Use the **remove icon** to delete a row if needed.

**4. Option Two: upload candidates in bulk**

* Click **Download Template**.
* Fill in the candidate details in the **.xlsx file**.
* Click **Upload** and select the file.
* Valid rows are added to the table.
* Rows are skipped if the **email is missing**, **invalid**, **duplicated**, or **already invited/in progress for the same step**.
* A summary appears if any rows are skipped.

**5. Review invite settings**

* Adjust **Timezone** if needed.
* Uncheck **Notify Candidates** if you don’t want to send notifications.

**6. Send invitations**

* Review the candidates in the table.
* Click **Invite**.

The panel closes and the candidate list refreshes with the newly invited candidates.

<Tip>
  **Additional Tips**

  * The **Invite** button stays disabled until at least one valid candidate is added.
  * Duplicate invitations are prevented if a candidate is already **invited or in progress** for the same step.
  * If a candidate already exists in the system, their existing record is reused.
  * If you close the panel after adding candidates, you’ll be asked to confirm before discarding the changes.
</Tip>