Language
English한국어日本語EspañolРусскийDeutschFrançaisItalianoPortuguês
// HELP/Home/Start new work from Home

Start new work from Home

Use Home quick actions to create a canvas, import work, open templates, or browse files.

5 min read

Quick actions start common work without leaving Home

Home quick actions are shortcuts for the first few things people do most often: create a blank canvas, import material, open templates, or browse files. Use them when you already know the next action and do not need to search or open a full project first.

Quick actions do not replace the full Canvas, Templates, or Files areas. They are fast entry points from Home.

Availability

ItemDetails
Available onAll plans
Available forWeb app, desktop app
Who can do itUsers with permission to create or browse the target work

Where to find quick actions

Open Home, then use the quick actions row near the top of the page.

If an action is missing or disabled, your workspace role, plan, or current product availability may limit it. Start from the full area, such as Create a canvas or Files, if you need more context.

Quick actions available from Home

ActionUse it when
Blank canvasYou need a fresh visual workspace for review, planning, notes, files, or live collaboration.
ImportYou have existing material to bring into ALLO before arranging or reviewing it.
TemplatesYou want a reusable structure for a workshop, review, planning session, or recurring process.
FilesYou want to find uploaded or attached material from the workspace.

Start a blank canvas

Use Blank canvas when the work does not already need project context.

  1. Open Home.
  2. Select Quick actions → Blank canvas.
  3. Name the canvas clearly.
  4. Add the first useful material: images, files, notes, links, or comments.
  5. Share the canvas or mention a teammate when feedback is needed.

For a fuller walkthrough, see Create your first canvas, Create a canvas, and Learn canvas basics.

Import existing material

Use Import when the work starts from something you already have, such as files or visual material that should become part of ALLO work. After importing, check the canvas or file location where the material lands, then organize it enough that reviewers know what to do next.

If import does not produce the result you expected, check whether the file is available in Files, then open or create the canvas where it belongs. Import is a starting action; the surrounding review context still needs to be built.

Open templates

Use Templates when the team already knows the structure it needs, for workshops, planning, creative review, retrospectives, briefs, and other repeatable review formats. A good template saves setup time without hiding the real question the team needs to answer.

If a template is not a good fit, start with Blank canvas. Forcing work into the wrong template usually costs more time than arranging a simple canvas by hand.

Browse Files

Use Files when you remember the material rather than the canvas. Files is the workspace file directory for previewing, opening, downloading, and finding attached material. From Files, open the containing work when you need the surrounding comments, decisions, or canvas context.

When not to use quick actions

Quick actions are intentionally direct. Do not use them when the next step needs more context.

SituationBetter path
You need to find an existing canvasAll canvases or Global search.
The canvas belongs to a project canvasOpen the project first, then create or attach the canvas there.
You need to recover deleted workTrash.
You need a file plus its discussionOpen Files, then open the containing work.
You need to invite people before work startsInvite workspace members or Share a canvas, depending on scope.

Quick actions are good for starting work. They are not a replacement for thinking about where the work should live.

Permissions and visibility

Quick actions follow the same access rules as the full areas:

  • If you cannot create canvases, Blank canvas may be hidden or fail.
  • If you cannot browse a file, Files will not show it just because you opened the shortcut from Home.
  • If someone else can use an action and you cannot, ask a workspace admin to check your role in Workspace members.

Mistakes and recovery

ProblemWhat to do
Blank canvas is missingConfirm the workspace and ask an admin whether your role can create canvases. Use roles and access when the issue is permission.
You created a canvas in the wrong workspaceSwitch workspaces, then create or move the work through the supported workspace flow before inviting reviewers. Do not share the wrong workspace copy by accident.
Import did not show the expected resultCheck Files, then search or create the canvas where the material belongs.
The template is wrongStart again from Blank canvas or choose a better template before reviewers begin commenting.
Files opens but the attachment is missingClear filters, search by file name, and check whether the containing work was deleted or restricted.

Support questions

QuestionAnswer
Why do quick actions show only a few options?Home keeps only the most common starting actions visible so the page stays focused.
Can I create project work from quick actions?Use the project area when the work needs task, owner, or schedule context.
Does Files upload new material from Home?Files is the browse path from Home. Import or the canvas/file workflow handles adding material depending on the surface.
What if I start in the wrong place?Stop before inviting reviewers, then move to the correct workspace or create the work from the right project context.
Give feedback

Was this article helpful?