Creating Time-Based Triggers

A time-based trigger initiates new tasks according to a schedule you specify.

To create a time-based trigger:

  1. Choose the time frame (based on how often you want the task to recur).

  2. Fill in the information required to establish the pattern of recurrence you need

  3. To verify the scheduled dates/times of the next tasks that the trigger will initiate, click VERIFY SCHEDULE.

    The list of the next triggered tasks appears.

  4. Instruct Nintex what to do if a task initiated by the trigger is still waiting in queue at the time the next recurrence is triggered:

    • Activated: the second task won't be added to the queue (to prevent duplication of tasks and overcrowding the queue)

    • Deactivated: The second task will be added.

    Keep the calendar in mind!

    If you elect to run a task on a day that doesn't exist, the task will be skipped for that recurrence. Take a careful look at the view schedule to ensure that this won't happen.

    For example, if you specify a task to run monthly on the 31st, you will notice that February, April, June, September, and November are skipped in the list of triggered tasks.

BEST PRACTICE

Time triggers and daylight savings time

During Day Light Saving Time (DST) switchover, clocks are set forward by one hour in the spring, from 2am to 3am (spring forward), and set back by one hour in autumn, from 2am to 1am (fall back).

If you have a time trigger set to initiate a task during switchover time, we recommend you either disable this trigger, or change the schedule to either before or after the switchover.

Using Advanced time-based triggers

Selecting the CUSTOM time-based trigger tab allows even more precision by giving you the option to use cron expressions to define the recurrence pattern. Learn more about how to create cron expressions here.

  • Console gives you real-time feedback on the validity of the cron expression you've entered:

    • If the entered expression is valid, the icon will appear

    • If the entered expression is invalid, the icon will appear

  • Use the preview of triggered tasks to check the recurrence pattern created by the cron expression you've entered