> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ruler.nl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ruler.nl/administration/departments.md).
# Departments
Create departments to separate content, assign users to them, and link the profiles each department should see.
Every account has one department by default, called **General**. If you want more separation, for example a separate department for a specific licence or business line, create additional departments here. Users then see only the content of the departments they belong to, and tasks can be assigned per department.
The **Departments** page shows profiles as rows and departments as columns, with a mark where a profile is visible to a department. Each department column shows its number of users. When there are more departments than fit on the screen, use the arrow to the right of the columns to scroll.
Profiles per department
Below the page title are three buttons: **Edit** (pencil), **Download** and **New department** (plus).
## Creating a department
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Add the department
Click the **plus** button below the page title. The **Create new department** pop-up opens.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Name it and assign users
In the pop-up, name the department and set each user to **active** or **passive**. Active users receive alerts for the department; passive users have access to it for tasks but receive no alerts. You can also set whether the department should receive alerts about all consultations. Save.
Creating a new department
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Link profiles
The new department appears as a column. Click the **pencil** button to enter edit mode. The marks become editable; tick the profiles this department should see, then **Save**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Example
An organisation with the profiles *financial service provider*, *mortgage provider* and *IT compliance* creates a separate department for its mortgage business. It links only the *mortgage provider* profile to that department, so mortgage colleagues receive only alerts and topics that concern them, while the General department keeps all three.
## Going further
Within a department you can go one level deeper and switch individual topics on or off. See [Tailoring the Legal Framework](/administration/tailoring-the-legal-framework.md).
