Guide to Slack Workflow Builder
Workflow Builder helps you automate routine tasks and processes in your Slack workspace or Enterprise Grid organization. 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.
Slack administration: Manage Workflow Builder in Slack
Slack admins can ensure members are building and using workflows in a way that complies with workspace or organization policies by reviewing the following options for Workflow Builder administration:
- Manage your workspace or organization’s access to Workflow Builder, and decide which features can be used
- Learn about premium workflow pricing
- Authorize billing for premium workflow usage
- Manage the connector steps members can add to workflows
- Manage who can add steps built by developers to workflows
- In Slack Connect conversations, allow or prevent external organizations from using workflows built by members of your workspace or org
- View published workflows in your workspace or organization from the published workflow dashboard
Build a workflow in Slack
By default, anyone can build a workflow in Slack, and there are two options to get started: you can create a workflow from a template, or, if you need further customization, you can build one from scratch. Either way, the guidance below will help get your workflow up and running, and ready to use in your workspace or org.
Get started with templates
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.
Build 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 or remove workflow managers to help you edit and maintain workflows
Add connector steps
The steps you add to a workflow accomplish a task. If you'd like the 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 in a workflow. For additional guidance, see:
- 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 existing workflows
Once a workflow is published, the person who created it and any workflow managers can:
- View workflow activity
- Edit, delete, or change who can use existing workflows
- Download workflow form responses
- View or manage a conversation’s workflows
- Export or import a workflow
Use workflows in Slack
The workflows that can be found and used 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 the workflow for more information.
Start workflows
If a workflow is designed to start with a link, you need to find and click that link to use the workflow. These links are designed to be shared anywhere in Slack, so that you can start them no matter what channel or direct message (DM) you’re working in.
You can add workflow links to a canvas, or send them in a message for yourself or others to click. You can also browse for workflows that start with a link in the following places in Slack:
-
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. -
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. -
Shortcuts menu
In any conversation, click the slash icon in the message field, then start typing the name of a workflow to select it from the menu
Workflows that are built to start on a schedule will start automatically. Other workflows are tied to a conversation and will start based on common Slack actions that happen there. Some actions you might take to start a workflow are:
To see which workflows start or have steps that occur in a specific conversation, view the conversation details.
Complete workflow prompts
Once the workflow starts, its steps will run automatically. As the workflow completes each step, you might be prompted to fill out a form, click a button, or authenticate with a third-party service to continue to the next step.
Share or copy workflows
If someone in your workspace can't find a workflow, or you want to send a workflow to someone who would find it useful, you can share the workflow.
By default, you can also make a copy of any workflow so that you can use its steps, and modify them to suit your needs.
- By default, all members can create workflows, and members and guests can use them
- Available on paid plans