Start a workflow manually in SharePoint

  • From Nintex Automation (5.7) onwards there are two different apps for SharePoint. The legacy Nintex K2 for SharePoint: used for SharePoint on-premises and upgraded environments for SharePoint Online, and Nintex Automation for SharePoint: used on new installations for SharePoint Online.
  • Microsoft has announced the deprecation of the SharePoint Add-Ins model for SharePoint Online, effective 2 April 2026. We recommend migrating to Nintex Automation for SharePoint using the Nintex K2 for SharePoint SPFx migration tool to avoid potential disruptions.

You can manually start a workflow from an item in the SharePoint list or library associated with the workflow of the application.

  1. Open the SharePoint list or library.
  2. Add an item to the list or library.
  3. Click the ellipsis ( ...) icon for the item to open the context menu and then select K2 Workflows. The Start workflow page appears.
  4. On the Start Workflow page, select the workflow you want to run from the menu and click Start.
    5. Only those workflows configured with the manual start option are listed. If multiple workflows with a manual start option are added to the application, they are listed in the menu.

When starting a workflow manually in SharePoint event, keep in mind the following considerations:

  • Only workflows configured with the manual start option displays on the Select Workflow menu.
  • If multiple workflows with a manual start option are added to the application, they all display in the menu.
  • See the topic Starting a workflow that describes other ways a workflow can start.