Multi-level approvals let you set up an approval flow where a post must be approved by two or more levels of reviewers, one level after another, before it can be published.
Use it when content needs sign-off from several parties, such as your team, the client, internal stakeholders or legal.
→ How to set up multi-level approvals
→ How approval works across levels
→ How to revoke an approval in a multi-level flow
→ Other settings for multi-level approvals
→ Frequently asked questions
How to set up multi-level approvals
*Multi-level approvals are available on Enterprise plans. Contact us for more details.
Multi-level approvals are one of the four approval workflows in Planable. To turn them on, open your workspace's approval settings and choose Multi-level. See Approvals and approval workflows to compare all four.
Then build your approval flow:
- Planable starts you with two levels, Team and Clients. Rename them to match your process.
- Add collaborators to each level. Each level can have one or more approvers.
- Click Add a new level to add more levels, up to 10 levels per workspace.
- Click Save.
Give each level a meaningful name, such as Copywriting, Client or Legal, so everyone knows which group is reviewing the post.
Good to know: If the workspace already has scheduled posts that are not approved, Planable asks "Auto-approve scheduled posts?" when you save. Choose Yes, auto-approve to keep them on schedule, or No, leave unapproved.
How approval works across levels
- Levels approve in order. Only approvers in the first level can approve a new post.
- One approval from any approver in a level is enough to complete that level.
- Once a level approves, the post moves to the next level. Approvers in later levels cannot approve until it is their level's turn.
- When every level has approved, the post is marked as approved and is ready to be published.
When you request approval on a post, the request goes to the approvers of the level that has to approve next.
How to revoke an approval in a multi-level flow
Only an approver of the most recent level that approved the post can revoke that approval. Revoking it moves the post back to that level. Published posts cannot have their approval revoked.
Other settings for multi-level approvals
Below the levels, the Settings section includes the same options as other approval workflows:
- Schedule posts automatically on approval: schedules the post as soon as the last level approves it. See Schedule posts automatically on approval.
- Lock content after approval: prevents changes to a post after it is approved.
- Automatic reminders for pending approvals: reminds approvers 48 hours after an approval request and 1 day before the scheduled publish date. See Automated reminders for approvals.
Frequently asked questions
Which plan includes multi-level approvals?
Multi-level approvals are available on Enterprise plans. Basic includes None and Optional approval, and Pro adds Required approval.
How many approval levels can I add?
You can add up to 10 approval levels per workspace. Each level can have one or more approvers.
Do all approvers in a level need to approve?
No. One approval from any approver in a level completes that level, and the post moves on to the next level.
Can an approver from a later level approve first?
No. Levels approve in order. Approvers in a later level can only approve once every earlier level has approved the post.
Who can revoke an approval in a multi-level flow?
Only an approver from the most recent level that approved the post can revoke it. Published posts cannot have their approval revoked.