Quick start guide

Introductory training course

The best way to begin understanding Nintex Workflow is by completing the short Introduction to Nintex Workflow training course (login required).

Navigate the UI

The Workflows page in the Automate menu is the first screen you'll see when you sign into your Nintex Workflow tenant. The top navigation menu located at the top right of the screen gives access to all pages and features. The options on the left navigation depend on the top navigation selection.

Top navigation:

• My Nintex: A central destination for participants to access information and interact with workflows, forms, and their tasks.

• Automate: The Automate menu gives access to the workflows page and features related to workflows. Access the following from the left navigation menu:

  • Workflows

  • Instances

  • Tasks

  • Connections

  • Data lookups

  • Xtensions

  • Form plugins

  • Events

  • Upgrade center

  • Solution Accelerator Gallery

• Settings: View information about your license and subscription, add users to your tenancy, set up default file storage, turn off connectors, and sort action groups in the actions toolbox.

Set up users and roles for the tenant

Administrators of Nintex Workflow can add new users and define user roles. You can create specific roles for users to specify what actions they can do in Nintex Workflow, for example, whether they are only permitted to view and submit forms or also create and manage workflows.

For information, see Add, edit, and remove tenant users.

Create connections

A workflow action is either a core or connector action.

• Core action: A workflow action that performs a basic function, such as assigning a task or sending an email. Most core actions operate without connecting to an external system and don't require a connection.

• Connector action: A workflow action that interacts with a third-party application. When configuring a cconnector action, you must create a connection to connect the workflow action to a third-party application.

If you're are using a connector action in your workflow, you must create a connection so your workflow can interact with the third-party application. Connections can be created and used for both start events and connector actions in your workflow.

Nintex Workflow provides connectors to over a hundred third-party services. You can also create your own connectors to additional third-party services using Xtensions.

For more information about creating connections, see Manage connections.

Create a workflow

Each workflow in Nintex Workflow consists of a start event—a trigger that starts the workflow—and a series of workflow actions. Start building your workflow by configuring a start event and then drag-and-drop the workflow actions onto the workflow design canvas.

• Workflow start events: When designing a workflow, the first step is to configure the start event to define what will trigger the workflow to start. The workflow may be designed to start at a scheduled time, when a form is submitted, from another workflow, or from an event that occurs in a third-party application.

• Workflow actions: After you specify the start event of the workflow, add the actions to define what you want the workflow to do. Actions are the steps that the workflow performs to complete a process. If an action is a connector action A software component that allows seamless integration with third-party services, business applications, and content stores. Examples include Salesforce, Box, and Microsoft SharePoint. Connectors are used to create connections required for workflow actions and start events. , you must create a connection so the action can interact with a third-party application.

For more information on creating and publishing a workflow, see Create a workflow.

Data in workflows

• Variables: Variables are used to store and pass data in your workflow. You can define, use, and update workflow variables as many times as you need throughout your workflow. Objects can be created for connector actions and events, which are automatically defined based on the action or event configuration. For more information, see Variables.

• Data lookups: Create data lookups to retrieve data from third-party services. After you create the data lookup, you can use the Data lookup form control or Data variables on your form to display data from third-party services. For more information, see Data lookups.

Use forms in your workflow

You can build forms within your workflow in Nintex Workflow. Forms commonly serve as start events in workflows, initiating the workflow actions when a customer completes and submits the form, or they can also be used as part of a task action for assignees. The user-friendly design canvas, drag-and-drop controls, and advanced business logic make it easy to customize your forms for every business need. If you need advanced customization, you can use Form plugins to create your own functionality.

For more information, see Forms .

Additional resources

• Nintex University: Provides a self-service, on-demand learning environment to learn the skills you need to automate your end-to-end business processes with Nintex Workflow.

• Nintex Customer Central: Provides a host of tools and interfaces for managing your interactions with Nintex.