Create Workflow

Each workflow in NocoDB belongs to one project. To create a workflow, open the project. Then:

  1. On the project Overview page, click Create Empty Workflow.
    • Alternatively, click Create New in the left sidebar and select Workflow.
  2. Type a name for the workflow.
    • Optionally, type a description to explain the purpose of the workflow.
  3. Click Create Workflow.

Accessing workflow Accessing workflow Accessing workflow

The workflow editor page opens. Configure the workflow on this page. The page has these parts:

  • Workflow list : Shows all workflows in the project, in the left sidebar
  • Toolbar : Gives access to workflow actions and settings
  • Editor canvas : Design the workflow here. Add nodes and connect them.
  • Sidebar : Configure the properties of the selected node

Workflow editor


Ask NocoAI

Copy a prompt, paste it into NocoAI in any base, and replace the words in [brackets] with your own.

  • Build a workflow that emails [the requester] when a new [ticket] is created
  • Build a workflow that creates a [Task] whenever a [Deal] moves to [Won]
  • Build a workflow that updates [Status] to [Overdue] when [Due Date] passes
  • Publish the [workflow name] workflow

Configuring workflow

The NocoDB Workflow builder is a visual interface. You design automation logic with connected nodes. To configure a workflow, do these steps:

  1. Name the workflow: Type a clear name that identifies the workflow. Optionally, add a description to explain its purpose. Naming workflow Naming workflow

  2. Select Trigger: Select how the workflow starts. Then configure the node settings (resource and conditions) as necessary. A workflow can have only one trigger node. The supported trigger types are:

    • Record trigger: Runs when a record is created, updated, or deleted
    • Manual trigger: Runs when a user triggers it manually
    • Scheduled trigger: Runs at specified time intervals Adding trigger node
  3. Add Action nodes: Define what occurs when the workflow is triggered. To do operations in sequence, connect many action nodes in a chain. Common action nodes are:

    • Create / Update / Delete Record: Change data in a table
    • Send Notification: Notify users through supported channels Adding action node
  4. Include Flow control nodes: [Optional] Add flow control nodes to control the execution logic, such as:

    • If / else: Branch on a condition, based on field values or runtime data
    • Iterate: Do actions for each item in a list
    • Delay: Pause execution for a specified time
    • Wait until: Pause execution until a condition is true Adding flow control node
  5. Test workflow: Use Test Step to test individual nodes. Make sure that each node has the correct configuration and works as expected. Testing workflow node

  6. Publish workflow: When the configuration is correct, use the toggle button in the toolbar to enable the workflow. Then click Publish to save the changes. An enabled workflow runs automatically when it is triggered. Publish checks the configuration of every node again. If a node is not configured correctly, NocoDB does not publish the workflow and names the nodes to correct. Publishing workflow

Use data from earlier steps

A node field can use the output of an earlier step. Click the field, then pick a value from the step list. NocoDB inserts the value as a chip. A step offers data only after you test it.

Transform an inserted value

A transform changes an inserted value before the node uses it, and you write no expression for it. Click the chip and select a transform. Transforms stack, and NocoDB offers only the ones that fit the type of the value.

CategoryTransforms
TextUppercase, Lowercase, Trim spaces
NumberConvert to number, Round, Round down, Round up, Absolute value
ListCount items, First item, Last item, Join with a separator
DateAdd time, by an amount of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years
Any valueConvert to text, Default if empty

Count items reads Count characters when the value is text. To work on the expression itself, select Edit expression on the chip.

Availability

  • Workflows are available on NocoDB Cloud (all plans) and on self-hosted deployments. The Community Edition includes 2 workflows per project. These workflows can use the record and manual triggers, the record action nodes, and the If and Iterate flow nodes.
  • To use workflows, you must have the Creator role or a higher role in the project.

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