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Workflows main window

Use the workflow canvas to lay out your processes and assemble the pieces in the proper order. The workflow canvas appears when you edit a workflow (Process tab's Workflows panel).

Once you have launched the process canvas, design your processes by dragging and dropping actions onto the canvas from the Actions toolbox. By default, every process begins with a primary action, represented by a lightning bolt.

After adding actions, use the Check workflow for errors button on the toolbar to see what attributes need to be defined to enable the workflow to proceed. It reports any missing attributes in the window directly below the canvas. To define an action's attributes, click and select its icon and then provide the applicable information in the Attributes window. You can also double-click errors in the status pane after clicking the Check workflows for errors button .

Drawing an arrow from one action to another establishes the directional flow of the process. To draw the arrow, place your cursor over the first action. When the cursor changes to a hand pointer, click and drag the line to the next action and then release the mouse button.

Tips

• A green frame outlines an action once it has been selected. You may need to click an action's icon more than once to select it.
• To remove an action (or an arrow you have drawn between actions), select it and then press Delete.
• To move an action to a different position on the canvas, click the action to select it. Then place the mouse pointer just outside the green frame that highlights the icon and drag it to a new position on the canvas.
• To nest a workflow inside another, simply drag the "child" workflow to the canvas of the "parent", as you would do with any other action. Then click on the action or result you want to launch the child workflow, and draw a directional arrow to the child workflow.
• As you continue to add new elements to the workflow, you may find it helpful to click the Layout diagram button on the toolbar to redraw or realign the actions in a symmetrical and balanced layout.
• If the workflow canvas begins to fill up or extend beyond the viewable window, click the Fit diagram to screen button on the toolbar to see the entire workflow.
• Click the Zoom in or Zoom out buttons to adjust the view to the area you are working on.
• Before attempting to run a workflow, make sure all attributes are defined and no errors appear in the Missing or incorrect information window.
• Click the Save button on the toolbar to save your workflow occasionally. You must save a workflow layout in order to run or test it.