Multiple step Approval Flow - with manual escalation when required

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Posted on by UB400

356 Microsoft Employee

I'm trying to create an Approval Flow, where the Approval workflow is as follows:

1. Approval request received by Manager,

2. The "Approve" and "Reject" is straightforward,

3. The Manager doesn't respond within a certain timeframe I can use the Time out and run after to escalate it to the "Manager's Manager

4. However I also want the Manager to have the option of manually escalating it to "Manager's Manager", without having to wait for it to timeout e.g. if the Manager isn't comfortable with that particular decision, they should be able to manually escalate it to "Manager's Manager"

It's this last part i'm struggling to figure out, given there's only an "Approve" or "Reject" option.

Any suggestions?

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Building flows

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v-yamao-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi UB400,

I would suggest you use the action “Office 365 – Send an approval email”.

When using this action, you could add another selection besides Approve and Reject, such as “No comments”.

Then Add a Condition, if the Manager selects “No comments”, use action “Get manager” to get Manager’s Manager, then send the approval email to Manager’s Manager.

Please take this for a reference and try with it on your side.

Best regards,
Mabel Mao

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UB400 356 Microsoft Employee on at

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@v-yamao-msftThank you for your response. While this could be a good solution, in my scenario I need to capture Approver comments as well. Unfortunately I just created a test and it appears to be stuck in the send e-mail stage, so I can't see whether the Approver can make comments, is that possible?

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v-yamao-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi UB400,

If you want to capture approver comments, I am afraid you will have to use the modern approval, however, when using modern approval, we are not able to customize the user options.

Best regards,
Mabel Mao

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UB400 356 Microsoft Employee on at

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@v-yamao-msft Thanks I understand. It's pity because we have two types of Approval Flows, one that allows multiple selections and the other that allows comments.

I'd be happy with one type of Flow that does both.

Any idea what's on the roadmap for these two types of Approval Flows? Is the Modern Approval Flow going to get multiple options, or if the Outlook Approval Flow will get comments options?

Thanks.

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v-yamao-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi UB400,

I would suggest you submit a request at Flow Ideas Forum about these features, PGs will check the forum and take it into consideration in the future releases.
https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas

I will also help collect and report it on my side and suggest other customers who have the same request vote your idea at here.

Best regards,
Mabel Mao

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