Blocks are the foundational components of assessments. They allow you to group questions related on the same topic or function within an assessment. For example, you can create an assessment that asks for demographic data in one block and health history in another.1 In Care Management, each block displays in a tab that can be collapsed or expanded.

* Access to Assessment Builder * Permission to edit assessments

* When you create a new assessment. * When you need to edit or delete blocks within an existing assessment.

* The Assessment Builder application is a stand-alone module. * A minimum of one block is required for each assessment. * It is not necessary to add any items to a block immediately after creating it. You can save it in draft mode and return at a later point to add questions. * This document focuses on blocks: * For more information on adding questions, see [adding-questions-and-responses.md](adding-questions-and-responses.md "mention"). * For more information on editing questions within blocks, see [editing-an-assessment.md](../../../builders/assessment-builder/editing-an-assessment.md "mention").

A block can be added to an existing assessment or added as part of creating a new assessment. After locating or creating the assessment, you will be inside the assessment builder.

Click either **+ Add new block** in the left panel or **Add new block** in the main window.

_If at least one block already exists in the assessment, the only option is to click **+Add new block** in the left pane._

Enter the information for the new block.

* **Block Name:** Enter the title for this block * Maximum Length: 100 characters * _(Optional)_ Enter a **Reference:** A Reference is displayed on the block line in Care Management. * It can be evidence-based guideline links such as [https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/managing-sick-days.html](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/managing-sick-days.html) * This can be used to display instructions to the user entering responses. * Maximum Length: 200 characters * **Block ID:** This will automatically generate and cannot be edited. This is used for reporting. * _(Optional)_ **Custom Code:** If your organization uses custom codes for reporting, it is recommended to enter one as you create your assessment. * Maximum Length: 255 characters

After you have entered all the required and optional information, click **Create**.

After the first block is created, you can begin entering questions into it. Repeat Steps 1–3 until you have all the blocks you need for grouping questions and organizing the assessment.

_Only one block is required for an assessment._

After you are done creating blocks, you can exit the assessment or move on to adding questions and responses within them. When you are ready to exit, click **Close** to return to the Assessment Dashboard.

The block details can be edited at any time.

Search for and select the assessment you want to edit in the assessment dashboard.There are two ways to edit the block details:1. Click on the block, and then click  **Edit**.

2. Click  **More** in the block list, and then select Edit.

When editing block details, you can modify everything except the Block ID. After you are finished editing, click **Save.**

You can drag-and-drop the blocks to reorder them within an assessment.

In the assessment builder, drag-and-drop the  **Move** icon with your mouse to move the block up or down.

After you are finished reordering the blocks, click **Close** to exit and return to the Assessment Dashboard.

Your organization may have a need to delete a block from an assessment. Similar to editing, there are two ways to delete a block.

Search and select the assessment you want to edit in the assessment dashboard.There are two ways to delete a block:1. Click on the block, and then click  **Delete**.

2. Click  **More** in the block list, and then select **Delete**.

A prompt displays to confirm deletion. Click **Delete** to confirm deletion. To cancel deletion, click **Cancel**.

_Deleting the block will delete everything under it._

After you are finished, click **Close** to exit and return to the Assessment Dashboard.

When building a new assessment, you can create blocks and save the assessment in draft mode without questions below the blocks. If a new block is added after the assessment is published, it must have questions added before it can be republished.

When the assessment is saved without publishing, it displays in the dashboard as Active with Unpublished changes.

If you try to publish the assessment with any blocks that do not have questions, you will receive an error message and warning indicators for the blocks that need questions added.