Workflows

Build workflows in Nintex Automation Cloud to streamline and automate repeatable business tasks. For example, you can create a workflow to automate document approvals with multiple review cycles, email notifications, and express approvals.

Jump to:

• Create your Workflow

• Use forms in your Workflow

• Integrate your workflow with third-party applications

• Use variables in your Workflow

• Session expiry

• Access the Workflows page

Create your Workflow

Create a workflow easily in Nintex Automation Cloud with easy-to-use drag-and-drop workflow designer. Each workflow consists of a start event and a series of workflow actions. Actions and start events can interact with third party applications using connections.

• Workflow start events: Every workflow starts with a start event. You configure the start event to define when the workflow will start. Available start events are:

  • Nintex - Component workflow: Start the workflow from another workflow.

  • Nintex - Form: Start the workflow when a form is submitted.

  • Nintex -Scheduled start: Start the workflow at a scheduled time.

  • Connector start event: Start the workflow when a specific event happens in a third-party application. For example, use the SharePoint Online connector and the New list item event to start the workflow when a new item is created in a SharePoint Online list.

• 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 workflow action that interacts with a third-party application to perform a basic operation, such as adding a record or retrieving a file from Salesforce or Box., you must create a connection so the action can interact with a third-party application. For more information about creating connections, see Manage connections.

For more information about creating a workflow, see Create a workflow.

Use forms in your Workflow

You can build forms within your workflow in Nintex Automation Cloud. The user-friendly design canvas, drag-and-drop controls, and advanced business logic make it easy to customize your forms for every business need. A form can be a start event to start a workflow or part of a task action for task assignees. For more information, see Forms .

Integrate your workflow with third-party applications

Start events and actions in your workflow can interact with third-party applications using connections. You can create workflows that start when a specified event happens in a third-party application, or you can use connector actions such as creating or moving files in Box or updating Salesforce records.

For more information, see Third-party integrations and Connectors.

Use variables in your Workflow

Variables allow your workflow to store data that can be used in actions in the workflow. Variables can be created by you, created as the result of actions in the workflow, or created by the start event (via data collected in a start event form, for example). You can define, use, and update variables as many times as you need throughout your workflow. For more information, see Variables.

Session expiry

After you authenticate and sign in, a session is established and re-authentication is not required for the duration of the session. A session expires when inactive for two hours or when the browser or tab is closed. The sign in page is displayed after the session expires.

A message is displayed 15 minutes before the session expires and you can choose to continue or sign out and end the session. This message includes a countdown timer to show how much time is left before the session ends.

If a session is about to expire while you are creating a workflow, your unsaved changes will be automatically saved. If you modified an existing workflow, a new version with your unsaved changes is automatically saved. If you are creating a new workflow that has never been saved before, then Nintex Automation Cloud will save the workflow as Unnamed workflow - [current date/time]. All auto-saved workflows include "Auto-saved by Nintex" version comments. If applicable, the draft version number is incremented.

Note: If the form designer is open when the session expires, any unsaved changes in the form are not automatically saved.

Access the Workflows page

• On the top navigation bar, click Automate.

• If you are already on another page in the Automate menu, click Workflows on the left navigation.

The Workflows page is displayed. For more information, see Workflow list.