# Groups

A Group is allows you to organize shifts by a geographic location, department, hospital name, call type, shift type etc.  A group can be anything, but you need to create one group before you can create any [spots / shifts](https://docs.equinascheduling.com/basic-terminology/spots-skillset-shifts).  We recommend the scheduler creating at least one group as your first step when setting up a schedule.  Please see our [Scheduler Quick Start Guid](https://docs.equinascheduling.com/scheduler-quick-start-guide)e for all the 10 steps in creating a schedule. 

Groups can be created **Autopilot > Spots > Groups**

Click on the Green "+" to add a new Group.  Give the group a name and specify the "Sort Order".  For example, a Group with sort order of 1 will be shown at the top of your calendar (Under Roster) while a group with sort order 10 (assuming you have 10 Group names you created), will be shown as the very last group on your calendar (Under Roster)

{% hint style="info" %}
You need at least one Group before you can create any [spots / shifts](https://docs.equinascheduling.com/basic-terminology/spots-skillset-shifts)
{% endhint %}

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