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    4. Automations: What is a Slack workflow?

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:

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:

  1. From your desktop, hover over   More, then select   Automations. An image of a cursor over the More icon in the Slack desktop app.
  2. Click   Templates, select a template you want to use, then click the Use this template button.
  3. Follow the prompts to customize the template if you'd like to change how the workflow starts or edit any steps in it.
  4. When you’re done, click Finish Up near the top of the Workflow Builder window.
  5. Follow the prompts and click Publish when you're done.
  1. From your desktop, hover over   More, then select   Automations. An image of a cursor over the More icon in the Slack desktop app.
  2. Click Create Workflow near the top-right corner.
  3. Choose how your workflow will start from from the list, and fill in additional information when prompted.
  4. Add steps to your workflow.
  5. When you’re done, click Finish Up near the top of the Workflow Builder window.
  6. Follow the prompts and click Publish when you're done.

Learn more: Check out our article for detailed information about creating a new workflow in Slack.

 

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.

  1. From your desktop, hover over   More, then select   Automations. An image of a cursor over the More icon in the Slack desktop app.
  2. Select   Workflows to 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

Note: Workflows will start automatically if they are on a schedule or they are tied to common Slack actions, such as joining a specific channel or using a certain emoji reaction.

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