> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.smaply.app/journey-maps/cards/how-to-use-stage-cards.md).

# How to use stage cards

Stage cards mark the major phases of a journey, like Discover, Onboard, or Support. Each one is a chevron-shaped card that sits in the Stages lane above your steps and stretches across as many step columns as the phase covers.

<figure><img src="/files/yvqart2IcfUz92p5AB2X" alt="A journey map editor with a Stages lane at the top. A blue chevron-shaped stage card labelled Discover &#x26; Apply spans several step columns, followed by a yellow stage card labelled Activate &#x26; Onboard. Below the Stages lane, a Steps lane holds text cards reading Research Account Options, Start Online Application, Submit Documents &#x26; Information, and Receive Account Approval."><figcaption><p>A stage card spans the step columns that belong to one phase</p></figcaption></figure>

A blank journey opens with one Stages lane and one empty stage card. To add another, hover an empty cell and click **+ Add card**, then choose **Stage**. In a Stages lane, **Stage** is the Enter quick-select; in any other lane it sits under **BASIC CARDS** in the picker.

***

#### How to label a phase

Click into the stage card and type. The text you enter becomes the phase label, and changes save automatically.

<figure><img src="/files/cwsrTAZ3mM0xtFYZwAh2" alt="A selected stage card labelled Discover &#x26; Apply with a blue selection border and a chevron-shaped right edge. The floating toolbar above shows bold, font size 14, font, list formatting, fill colour, show card details, delete, and a three-dot overflow menu."><figcaption><p>Click into the card to edit the label</p></figcaption></figure>

The floating toolbar above a selected stage card carries the same text formatting as a text card: bold, font size, font, list formatting, and the **fill** control for accent colour and background style. Stage cards are one of two card types you edit inline; every other type opens its own configuration UI.

***

#### How to span a stage card across step columns

The defining behaviour of a stage card is that it stretches across the step columns its phase covers. You can resize it by dragging or from the overflow menu.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Select the stage card**

Click the card once to select it. A selection border appears around the chevron and the floating toolbar opens above it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Drag the right edge, or use Expand and Shrink**

Drag the right edge of the card to cover more or fewer columns. It snaps to column boundaries as you drag. For single-column steps, open the toolbar's three-dot menu and use **Expand** to add a column or **Shrink** to remove one.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

<figure><img src="/files/zogEXRBdgs4AEMmjh44b" alt="A stage card labelled Discover &#x26; Apply selected and spanning three step columns, with a chevron-shaped right edge and its floating toolbar above. The step cards Research Account Options, Start Online Application, and Submit Documents &#x26; Information sit in the columns beneath it."><figcaption><p>The selected stage card spans the three step columns beneath it</p></figcaption></figure>

The chevron points forward to signal the progression from one phase to the next. When two stage cards sit side by side, the leftmost card's point tucks under the next card's left edge.

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### **Important: Spanning over another stage card moves it to a new row**

If you span a stage card into a column where another stage card already sits, the overlapped card moves to a new row in the same lane instead of being overwritten. The lane grows taller to hold the extra row.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/0mHEslKETgbwYAyzfpzY" alt="A Stages lane with the Discover &#x26; Apply stage card spanning across the top row, and a second blank chevron-shaped stage card pushed down to a new row underneath because its column is already covered by the spanning card."><figcaption><p>A second stage card drops to a new row when its column is already spanned</p></figcaption></figure>

***

#### What stage cards share with other cards

Stage cards use the same toolbar, card details panel, colour system, and multi-select as every other card type. The card details panel holds the universal Personas, Card tags, and Comments sections.

See [How to add and edit cards](/journey-maps/cards/how-to-add-and-edit-cards.md) for the canonical walkthrough of these shared mechanics.

***

#### Related topics

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Title</th><th>Description</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Target</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>How to add and edit cards</strong></td><td>Parent how-to for shared card mechanics: toolbar, details panel, colours, and headers.</td><td><a href="/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa">/pages/DI00pTOdaJmOwltHKgIa</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to add and manage lanes</strong></td><td>Add the Stages lane that holds your stage cards, or any other lane type.</td><td><a href="/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7">/pages/cEW7pumNPGKdJ65EEAz7</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to add and manage columns</strong></td><td>Set up the step columns that stage cards span across.</td><td><a href="/pages/WNBA1RdaCt3rMhxOcLHD">/pages/WNBA1RdaCt3rMhxOcLHD</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to bulk edit cards</strong></td><td>Select multiple stage cards and apply tags, personas, or formatting in one go.</td><td><a href="/pages/D239Y2x0Gzcz0VuWHA1p">/pages/D239Y2x0Gzcz0VuWHA1p</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How to filter a journey map</strong></td><td>Filter the map by persona or tag to focus on the stages that matter.</td><td><a href="/pages/TvWyNP7bpL7PzUBbgLJ2">/pages/TvWyNP7bpL7PzUBbgLJ2</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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