Guide to Slack Workflow Builder

Workflow Builder helps you automate everyday tasks and processes in Slack. Workflows can be as simple or as complex as you’d like, and can even be connected to other apps you use to get work done.

Build a workflow

By default, anyone can build a workflow. There are two options to get started — you can create a workflow from a template, or build one from scratch if you need to create something more customized. Either way, this guide will help you get your first workflow up and running for anyone in your workspace or Enterprise Grid organization to use.

Get started with a template

We’ve created a variety of workflow templates to help you automate some of the most common tasks in Slack. If you’re new to building workflows, customizing a template is a great way to get started.

Create from scratch

For more complex workflows, or for tasks that don’t already have a template, you can build a workflow from scratch:

• Learn how to create a workflow in Slack from start to finish
• Create a workflow that starts in an external service
• Add workflow managers to help you edit and maintain workflows

Add steps

The steps in a workflow accomplish tasks the workflow needs to complete. If you’d like a workflow to carry out an action in a third-party service, you can add connector steps.

These steps require you to authenticate your account with the third-party service, and may require additional approval or configuration before they can be used. For additional guidance, read about:

• How to request connector steps if your workspace or org requires app approval
• How to authenticate third-party accounts to use with connector steps

Manage your workflows

Once a workflow is published, the person who created it and any workflow managers can:

• View workflow activity
  View workflows that are in progress or completed, along with any errors
• Edit, delete, or change who can use existing workflows
  Modify or remove workflows
• Download workflow form responses
  Save workflow form responses to your computer

Use workflows

The workflows in your workspace or org are unique to your organization’s needs and processes. If you aren’t sure when to use a workflow, or what it’s designed to accomplish, it’s best to reach out to the person who built it for more information.

Start workflows

If a workflow starts with a link, you need to find and click that link to use the workflow. Workflow links can be shared anywhere in Slack (including canvases), so you can start them no matter where you’re working. You can also browse workflows that start with a link in the following places:

• Workflow gallery
  From your desktop, hover over   More in the sidebar, then click  Automations. Select  Workflows to browse all of the workflows in your workspace or org.
• Workflows tab
  From a channel or direct message (DM), click the   Workflows tab to find any workflows in the conversation.
• Search
  From your desktop, click the search bar. Type the name of a workflow and select it from the list of results. On mobile, tap Search, then tap Workflows. 

Workflows that are built to start on a schedule will start automatically. Other workflows will start based on certain Slack actions, such as:

• Using an emoji reaction
• Joining a channel
• Creating a channel

Manage Workflow Builder

Slack admins can ensure members are building and using workflows in ways that comply with their organization’s policies by reviewing the following options for Workflow Builder administration:

• Manage access to Workflow Builder, and decide which features can be used
• Manage connector steps and custom steps members can add to workflows
• Allow or prevent external organizations from using workflows built by members of your workspace or org in Slack Connect conversations
• View published workflows from the workflow dashboard

Who can use this feature?

• By default, all members can create workflows, and members and guests can use them
• Available on paid plans