Automations: What is a Slack workflow?

A workflow makes everyday tasks in Slack easier for you and your team. Almost any task or process you perform at work can be automated with our Workflow Builder tool.

In this tutorial, you'll learn about:

  • Ways to use workflows
  • Building a workflow
  • Where to find existing workflows


Ways to use workflows

Workflows help simplify routine processes so you can spend less time on them. Here are a few simple ways to use workflows with your team:

Collect information

Send reminders

Create a simple form to collect ideas, feedback, or requests from coworkers in Slack.

Follow along using our video tutorial to try it.

Set up recurring reminders to help you and your team stay on top of important tasks.

Follow along using our video tutorial to try it.


Building a workflow

If you’re interested in building a workflow, you can start with a template or start from scratch:

Start with a template

Start from scratch

  1. From your desktop, click   Tools in the sidebar.
  2. From   Workflows, click Templates at the top of the page.
  3. Choose a template and click Set Up
  4. Follow the prompts to customize the template.
  5. When you’re done, click Finish Up or Publish Workflow.
  1. From your desktop, click   Tools in the sidebar.
  2. Click   New in the top-right corner and select   Build Workflow.
  3. Under Start the workflow..., click   Choose an event.
  4. Select how your workflow will start from from the list, and fill in additional information when prompted.
  5. Add steps to your workflow.
  6. When you’re done, click Finish Up near the top of the Workflow Builder window.
  7. Follow the prompts and click Publish when you're done.

Where to find existing workflows

If people on your team have already created workflows, you can find them from a few different places in Slack.

Workflow gallery

Channels and canvases

Search

  1. From your desktop, click   Tools in the sidebar.
  2. From Workflows, browse existing workflows.

Some workflows begin by clicking a link. Workflow links might be bookmarked in a channel or added to a canvas.

a coworker sharing a message in a channel that includes a link to run a workflow

You can find published workflows by searching for them in Slack.

typing a keyword to search for a workflow

Learn more: Check out these articles for detailed information about creating a new workflow in Slack and using AI to get started.