Beginner
How to create your first board on Trello
Quick Answer
Creating your first Trello board involves logging into your account, clicking the Create button, selecting Board, and configuring your board settings. You'll then add lists and cards to organize your project or workflow.
Prerequisites
- Active Trello account
- Internet connection
- Web browser or Trello mobile app
1
Log into your Trello account
Navigate to trello.com and click Log In. Enter your email and password, or use Google/Microsoft sign-in if you previously set it up. Once logged in, you'll see your Trello dashboard with any existing boards.
Tip
If you don't have an account yet, click Sign Up and follow the registration process first.
2
Start creating a new board
Click the Create button (plus icon) in the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, select Create board. This will open the board creation dialog where you can configure your new board.
Tip
You can also use the keyboard shortcut B to quickly create a new board.
3
Configure your board settings
In the creation dialog, enter a Board title that describes your project (e.g., "Marketing Campaign" or "Home Renovation"). Choose a background color or image from the available options. Select the Workspace where you want to create the board, or choose Personal for individual use.
Tip
Choose a descriptive title as it will help you and team members quickly identify the board's purpose.
4
Set board visibility
Choose your board's visibility setting: Private (only you and invited members can see it), Workspace (visible to all workspace members), or Public (visible to anyone on the internet). For your first board, Private is recommended until you're comfortable with sharing.
Tip
You can always change visibility settings later from the board menu.
5
Create your board
Click the Create button to generate your new board. Trello will immediately create the board and redirect you to it. You'll see an empty board with the title you chose and the background you selected.
6
Add your first lists
Click Add a list on the left side of your board. Enter a list name like "To Do", "In Progress", or "Completed" and press Enter. Repeat this process to create additional lists that represent different stages of your workflow or project phases.
Tip
Common list structures include "Backlog > In Progress > Done" or "Ideas > Planning > Executing > Finished".
7
Create your first cards
Within each list, click Add a card to create individual tasks or items. Type a brief description of the task (e.g., "Write blog post" or "Buy paint") and press Enter. Continue adding cards to populate your lists with actionable items.
Tip
Keep card titles short and descriptive - you can add detailed information by clicking on the card later.
8
Customize and organize
Drag and drop cards between lists to update their status. Click on any card to add descriptions, due dates, checklists, or attachments. Use the board menu (three dots) to access additional settings like Labels, Filters, and Power-Ups.
Tip
Color-coded labels help categorize cards by priority, type, or team member responsible.
Troubleshooting
Can't find the Create button
Make sure you're fully logged into Trello. The Create button (plus icon) should appear in the top navigation bar. If using mobile, tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen.
Board creation dialog won't open
Try refreshing your browser page or clearing your browser cache. Disable any ad blockers that might interfere with Trello's interface. If the issue persists, try using an incognito/private browser window.
Cannot see workspace options
If you're a new user, you may only see Personal workspace initially. You can create additional workspaces later or join existing ones through invitations from team members.
Cards or lists won't save
Check your internet connection and ensure you're still logged in. If the session expired, refresh the page and log in again. Unsaved changes may be lost, so you'll need to recreate any lost cards or lists.
Ready to get started with Trello?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Trello and follow the steps above.
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