The Start Workflow step process is an operation method that automatically triggers a designated workflow after a form submission. Upon triggering, it automatically initiates the associated approval workflow or list workflow, entering the workflow process, which effectively improves the efficiency of approvals and the automation of data processing. This function is widely used in scenarios where workflows need to be triggered in the background based on form content, ensuring timely data processing and smooth collaboration.
When to Use the Start Workflow Step Process
The Start Workflow node is suitable for scenarios that require triggering multiple automated processes to enhance task handling efficiency and ensure smooth progress through various stages. Here are typical situations where the Start Workflow node is appropriate:
Parallel Processing: When multiple workflows can proceed simultaneously and independently, the Start Workflow node can trigger multiple workflows at the same time, avoiding the need to wait for one process to complete before starting the next. This significantly improves overall work efficiency, especially in scenarios like approvals, data processing, or task assignments where there are no dependencies.
Phased Chain Processes: For complex multi-step processes, the Start Workflow node can sequentially trigger multiple related workflows, ensuring that each stage's tasks are executed in the specified order. This approach makes the process more orderly and controlled, suitable for complex business processes that require gradual advancement and management.
The flexibility of the Start Workflow node makes it applicable not only for the automated triggering of independent processes but also for achieving refined process segmentation management as needed.
Note:
The Start Workflow step type is suitable for various types of forms, including list forms, approval forms, and dashboards.
Configuration Steps
To configure the Start Workflow step process, please follow these steps:
Execution Conditions: Set the trigger conditions for starting the workflow, which can be configured based on different business logic. For detailed information about execution conditions, please refer to the execution conditions of actions.
Workflow Type: In the workflow type settings, there are two options available:
Approval form workflow: When "Approval Workflow" is selected, it requires associating the approval form's workflow. You need to choose the corresponding application and the data source for the approval form to ensure that the workflow triggered by the form is linked to the approval process.
Application: Select the context of the current application, usually the application system where the data source is located.
Data Source: Select the data source for the approval form from the dropdown list.
Set variables: Click the settings to set variables.
Open this approval form: choose to open this approval form or not.
Query parameters: Click the settings to set query parameters.
Open in: set the open method of the approval form.
Data list workflow: When "List Workflow" is selected, it requires associating with the list form's workflow, and the following data item settings will be displayed:
Current Data item: When this option is selected, you can click the dropdown menu for "Select List Workflow" to choose the workflow from the current list, allowing you to directly use the data from the current form to trigger the workflow.
Select a data item: When this option is selected, the following settings need to be configured:
Application: Select the associated application.
Data Source: Choose the data source from the dropdown menu; the data source can be a data list or document library.
Item ID(s): Configure the identifying field for the records to locate the records that need to be operated on.
Select a list workflow: Here, choose the predefined list workflow you wish to start.
Note:
The data item settings for the list form include both "Current data item" and "Select a data item" options. For approval forms and dashboards, only the "Select a data item" option is available; there is no "Current data item" option.
After configuring the above steps, your form will automatically trigger the corresponding workflow upon submission based on the set conditions, helping to efficiently and intelligently manage subsequent work steps.