How to Create and Run Workflows on the Canvas

Use the Automation Builder user interface to arrange and connect tasks on the canvas to create a flow-based automation. To get started, login to IAP and select Automation Studio from the IAP homepage. From the Automation Studio homepage, you can search for an existing automation (workflow), or you can create a new one.

How to Find a Workflow

To find an existing workflow, click the search icon (magnifying glass) on the Automation Studio homepage. The Collection dialog opens.

Figure 1: Automation Studio Homepage

From the dialog, you can search or browse the collection to select an existing workflow to open. Each workflow will open in its appropriate canvas ("Legacy Canvas" or "New Canvas") when clicked.

Figure 2: Workflows Collection

How to Create a New Workflow

To create a new workflow:

1. Click the plus (+) icon on the Automation Studio homepage. The Create dialog opens.
2. Select Automation in the type dropdown.
3. Enter a name for the new automation.
4. By default, the New Canvas is used when creating a new workflow; however, the Legacy (Generation 1) canvas can still be used by toggling the Use Legacy Canvas switch.
5. Click Create and the workflow opens in the New Canvas.

Figure 3: Create New Automation

Navigating a Workflow on the Canvas

Below is a sample worfklow in Automation Builder using the New Canvas, along with a reference table that highlights the various menus, toolbars and controls.

Figure 4: Workflow Canvas

Using the Canvas to Build a Workflow

After creating a new workkflow:

1. The New Canvas will open with Start and End displayed. Additional tasks can be added to the workflow, as needed, from the Task Palette via drag and drop.
2. The Task Palette is aligned to the left next to the sidenav menus when a new workflow is created. The Task Palette can be moved or closed if more space is needed to view the canvas. Click the Show Task Palette button in the task toolbar to reopen the Task Palette.
3. Search for a task in the Task Palette by typing in the "Filter Tasks" search field.
4. From the search results that return, drag and drop the desired task onto the New Canvas.
5. To add a transition from one task to another, use the mouse to highlight the border around a task. Press and hold the mouse button and move away from the task to create a transition arrow, and then drag the transition arrow to the next task and release the mouse press.

Compatibility with Legacy Canvas Workflows

The New Canvas is compatible with Legacy Canvas workflows. To switch to a "Legacy" view and vice-versa:

1. On the New Canvas, click the vertical dots (⋮) button menu located in the top-right corner of the Automation Title Bar.
2. Select the View Metadata option in the menu. A metadata drawer opens.
3. Under the "Name" field, switch the toggle "on" for Use Legacy Canvas. Switch the toggle "off" if you wish to use the New Canvas.
4. Click Save. The workflow screen will refresh to display the desired canvas view.

Figure 5: Workflow Canvas Conversion