---
url: >-
  /flow/operation-guide/using-flow/managing-trading-community/managing-trading-partners.md
---

# Managing Trading Partners

1. Open the [Flow Designer](/flow/guide/getting-started/starting-flow)

2. Navigate to `Trading Community` to display the `Manage Trading Community` window containing a list of trading partners.

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/trading-community.jpg)

The `Manage Trading Community` window displays the list of trading partners that are currently configured within Flow along with basic information on each of the trading partners.

::: details Creating a new Trading Partner

1. Click the `New` button

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/new-trading-partner.jpg)

2. Overwrite the `Partner Name` field with a friendly name for the trading partner

3. Select the `Partner Type` field to indicate whether this partner is a `Customer` or `Supplier`.

4. Depending on the selected `Partner Type` enter your unique ID for them, and their unique ID for you. These unique IDs are generally referred to as Account numbers and will be dictated by a particular business system in your company such as your financial system.

5. If the partner is sending data to your Flow system (ie via HTTP or web services) enter a `User Name` and `User Password`

6. Click on the Contact Details tab

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/new-trading-partner-contact-details-.jpg)

7. Enter the appropriate optional contact details. These are mainly used for reference purposes and can be referred to in maps.

8. Click on the Transports tab

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/new-trading-partner-transports-.jpg)

9. For each File Connection that is appropriate, select the desired Outbound transport. For any action that this trading partner is assigned to that creates a file on the given file connection, it will cause it to be transported via the selected Outbound transport.
   :::

::: details Editing an trading partner

1. Double click the desired trading partner in the displayed list within the `Manage Trading Partners` window
2. The trading partner details are now displayed. Edit the details as per creating a new trading partner. Click `Save` to save your changes.
   :::

:::: details Removing an trading partner
::: warning
You should first ensure the trading partner is not assigned to any actions prior to removing it.
:::

1. Single click the trading partner that you wish to remove. You can select multiple trading partners by using the Control or Shift keys appropriately.

2. Click the `Delete` button.

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/confirm-delete-trading-partner.jpg)

3. Click `Yes` button to confirm your choice. This action cannot be undone.
   ::::

::: details Exporting a trading partner

1. Right click the trading partner that you wish to export. Select `Export` from the context menu that appears.

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/export-trading-partner.jpg)

2. Select the location where you want to save the exported Template and enter a name for the template. A default name will already be entered for you.

3. Click `Save` to save the exported template to the chosen location
   :::

::: details Importing a trading partner
You can also import trading partners using the standard import method of dragging and dropping the Template file onto the background of Flow Designer

1. Click `Import` button

   ![](/flow/images/operation-guide/import-trading-partner.jpg)

2. Select the Template file you wish to import and click `Open`

3. A message box will appear to confirm the Template is imported successfully. If no trading partners are found within the template, or if an error occurs you will be notified by the message box.

4. The imported trading partner will appear in the list within the `Manage Trading Partners` window
   :::

::: details Searching for a trading partner

1. Enter the text you want to search on. The search will occur across the name and unique ID fields.
2. Click the `Search` button to filter the list based on your search text.
   :::