Simple Chat

Trigger a workflow

Run a workflow now, schedule future runs, and inspect run activity.

What this does

This guide starts a saved workflow, explains scheduling, and points you to the activity view after a run begins. It applies to personal and group workflows.

Video planned

Trigger a workflow walkthrough

Recording planned. Show trigger a workflow end to end and explain why this task helps a user.

To publish this video:

  1. Upload the recording to YouTube or Microsoft Stream.
  2. Save a poster frame as docs/images/video-posters/guide-trigger-a-workflow.png.
  3. Add the watch URL to this slot in docs/_data/media.yml.

Why you would use this

A workflow only helps when it runs at the right moment and leaves evidence you can inspect. Manual runs are best for tests and controlled work; schedules fit routine checks that can run unattended. Do not schedule workflows that require approval before each step.

Before you start

  • Create the workflow first.
  • The relevant toggle must be enabled: allow_user_workflows or allow_group_workflows; see Workspaces settings.
  • If the workflow uses File Sync, the selected source must be enabled and reachable.

Steps

  1. Open the workspace that owns the workflow.
  2. Choose Workflows.
  3. Search with Search workflows by name, runner, or task prompt… if needed.
  1. Use the workflow row Actions to start a manual run, or edit the workflow to adjust Trigger.
  2. For scheduled operation, choose an interval trigger and leave the workflow enabled.
  3. After a run starts, open Open workflow activity view from the chat header when available.

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Trigger a workflow step 6

Capture the trigger a workflow task at this step in SimpleChat with realistic sample data and redact secrets.

Save as docs/images/guides/trigger-a-workflow-step-6.png

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  1. Review status, task output, failures, and completion alerts in activity or history.

Verify it worked

The workflow’s Last Run updates, and the activity view or history shows the run status and task output.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause Fix
A scheduled workflow does not run It is disabled or still configured for manual trigger Edit the trigger and confirm the workflow is enabled.
A run fails immediately A runner, action, document, or File Sync source is unavailable Open run details, fix the dependency, and run again.