> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.emsigner.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.emsigner.com/initiate-and-sign-envelopes/creation-of-an-envelope/signing-flows/only-others-will-sign/adding-participants.md).

# Adding Participants

### Adding Participants

#### Selecting Participants for the Workflow

After uploading the document, the initiator is guided to define who will participate in the signing workflow.

At this stage:

* The initiator acts only as the sender
* The document will be routed to selected participants for signing or review
* The initiator does not sign the document themselves

Click **Next** to proceed to participant configuration.

<figure><img src="/files/GqjLLO2qNj8evHxcSQ4r" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

#### Participant Configuration Screen

This screen is used to define all users involved in the signing journey.

Key characteristics:

* The initiator is **not included** in the participant list
* Only added participants appear as part of the workflow
* The left panel displays the list of participants
* The right panel is used to configure settings for the selected participant

This ensures the document is signed exclusively by the intended recipients.

<figure><img src="/files/DMkpY2Tj0GHiKhbBTkPn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

#### Adding Participants

Participants can be added using the available options:

* **Search & add internal users**\
  Search for existing internal users by entering at least the first four characters of their name or email.

<figure><img src="/files/HTPH0BAmaI9RRB0VPIrt" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Add New External Participant**

  Use **Add new external participant** to include signers who are not part of your organization and add them directly to the workflow.

  Provide the following details:

  * **Participant Name**
  * **Participant Email**
  * **Mobile Number** *(optional)*
  * **Company** *(optional)*
  * **Identification Number** *(optional)*

  Once added, the external participant can be configured for signing order, permissions, and signature placement.

<figure><img src="/files/Dbllc92Yta6g6aPhBg9d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

#### Workflow Type and Signing Order

While users can be defined to select in Serial or Parallel or a combination of both, for simplicity a  workflow type setting is provided here as a master setting across all participants to either sign in

* **Sequential** – Participants sign one after another, based on order
* **Parallel** – Participants receive the document at the same time

<figure><img src="/files/XJeigDUWo9llyZGAfsGG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The signing order is automatically derived from:

* The selected workflow type, and
* The sequence of participants in the list

This determines when each participant is notified and allowed to act on the document.


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