> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://buttercms.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Content status: draft to published

> Overview of ButterCMS content statuses from draft to published — understanding each status helps you manage your content workflow effectively.

<Tip>
  In order to make changes to the status of a piece of content, you have to have the correct permissions assigned to your Role. Read more about [default](../collaborating-with-teams/default-roles) and [custom](../collaborating-with-teams/custom-roles-permissions) roles and permissions.

  Additionally, only users with an admin role can delete Pages and Collection items if localization is enabled.
</Tip>

{/* /SOURCE */}

## Content statuses

ButterCMS content can exist in four different states:

| Status                   | Visual Indicator    | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------ | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**                | 🟡 Yellow date      | Content saved but not published. Visible via preview function and by passing the `preview` parameter to the API                                                                                             |
| **Scheduled**            | 🔵 Blue date        | Content set to publish automatically at a future date/time.                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Published**            | 🟢 Green date       | Content is live and accessible via the API.                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Published with Draft** | 🟢🟡 Green + Yellow | Two versions of this content exist; one that is published and returned by the API without the `preview` parameter, and the in-progress draft, which is available from the API with the `preview` parameter. |

{/* IMAGE_SOURCE: file_path="knowledge-base/how-to/page-status-draft-to-published.md" */}

![Draft Status](https://cdn.buttercms.com/OtYPMZjrSwOvEnonxnuw)

![Published Status](https://cdn.buttercms.com/WFUF4R9ORYmEDZiQbdDo)

![Scheduled Status](https://cdn.buttercms.com/CfmlWzQARtq3u2pez9kE)

### Understanding published with draft

You can have a page that is published with a draft version. For example, version 1 may already be published (indicated by a green checkmark), while version 2 is still being edited as a draft.

{/* IMAGE_SOURCE: file_path="blog-posts/butter-updates/november-dashboard-enhancements.md" */}

![Screenshot showing ButterCMS page versioning interface](https://cdn.buttercms.com/ozHn2e3MTgiJiG3rhUSC)

![Screenshot showing ButterCMS page versioning interface](https://cdn.buttercms.com/0x8Z9wJFQX2BtjvMnj3n)

## Publication workflow

<Tip>
  For step-by-step tutorials on saving and publishing drafts, see [managing drafts](managing-drafts).
</Tip>

### Step 1: Create content

An Admin configures your Page or Page Type template, setting up all content fields that editors will need access to. Then an Author (or higher authorization) creates a new Page or content item.

### Step 2: Save as draft

The content is saved as a **Draft** (indicated by a yellow date). At this stage, the content can be previewed to see how it will look on your live site.

<Warning>
  ButterCMS does not have an auto-save feature. Remember to save your work frequently.
</Warning>

### Step 3: Review and publish

A Publisher or Admin reviews the content, makes any necessary updates, and can:

* **Publish immediately** - Content goes live right away
* **Schedule for later** - Set a future date/time for automatic publication

{/* IMAGE_SOURCE: file_path="knowledge-base/how-to/page-status-draft-to-published.md" */}

![Schedule Publishing](https://cdn.buttercms.com/DppDjkTlW5u9UUkLzviw)

## Status visibility

You can always view the current status of your content:

* **In the content list** - Status is shown as a colored date indicator
* **In the editor** - Status appears in the upper-right corner of the screen
* **Via API** - Use the `preview=1` parameter to access draft content