Call a workflow

Use the Call a workflow action A tool for building the processes, logic, and direction within workflows. to call a Component workflow A workflow that can be started from outside the tenancy; the workflow uses the "Component workflow" start event., which handles a common task or sub-process.

Parent and children workflows are tied together. When a parent workflow is terminated, related child workflows also terminate. If a child workflow configured to complete before the parent resumes is terminated, then the parent will also terminate.

For example, many HR processes may involve the task of looking up IDs for employees. In this case, you can set up a child Component workflow for ID lookup and call that child workflow from each relevant HR workflow using this action.

Before you begin: 

  • Understand Variables. File variables are not supported.

  • Understand component workflows. These can be triggered by other workflows or by REST calls. For setup details, see Nintex - Component workflow.

  • Understand workflow inputs and outputs. These are set up in the child workflow that the Call a workflow action is configured to start. Workflow inputs allow you to include data when starting the child workflow while workflow outputs allow you to capture data that is present when the child workflow is complete. For setup details, see Nintex - Component workflow.

  • Learn about Handling files in your workflow

Jump to:

Configure the Call a workflow action

In the Designer page:

  1. Click the Logic and flow action group in the action toolbox.

    or

    Find actions by browsing action groups, or by typing an action name or function in the Search field at the top of the action toolbox.

  2. Drag the Call to workflow action to the point where you want to call the Component workflow.
  3. Click the Call a workflow action.
  4. For Workflow, select the Component workflow A workflow that can be started from outside the tenancy; the workflow uses the "Component workflow" start event. you want to call.
  5. Under Workflow, select the option you want (run at the same time or wait).

  6. Complete the fields for any inputs Variable to store a value or file when the workflow starts. Set up as a start event variable. and outputs Variable to store a value or file on completion of the workflow. Set up as a user-defined variable. that are rendered for the selected workflow.

    Important: File variables are not supported.

For more information on the fields, see Call a workflow fields.