Sequential Approval for a Document - similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow

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Posted on 31 May 2018 07:43:00 by Brice235i

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Hi, we need to workflow documents to a team leader. When she approves, with comment, the document then goes to the department manager to approve in a sequential fashion. I had a look at the tutorial online that applies to a leave list... doesn't seem to work when applied to a document library. For a start, the document library isn't retrieved in the first action.. Tried entering the name of the library as a custom value... didn't seem to work.

The workflow is very similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow.

Anyone know how to do this?

1. Doc controller starts a workflow for a specific document in the library once it is ready for review. The document controller is able to select the specific managers to approve by typing their email address.

2. Approval workflow to Manager 1.

3. If approved, workflow to Manager 2. Manager 2 sees the comments made by Manager 1.

4. outcome notification send to doc controller

5. status column updated in the library... Approved/Signed off.

4. Outcome notification to doc controller.

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v-xida-msft on 01 Jun 2018 at 06:20:50

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Re: Sequential Approval for a Document - similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow

Hi @Brice235i,

Do you want to start a approval flow for a specific document in your SharePoint library using Microsoft Flow?

Further, could you please share a bit more about your SharePoint library?

The screenshot of my SharePoint library as below:

I created my flow from Flow Launch Panel option in SharePoint library (or list) and select the template titled "Complete a custom action for the selected item". More details about creating a flow from Flow Launch Panel in SharePoint list or library, please check the following blog:

https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/introducing-flow-launch-panel-in-sharepoint-lists-and-libraries/

I have made a test on my side, please take a try with the following workaround:

The flow works successfully as below:

Best regards,

Kris

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GabrielStJohn on 06 Jun 2018 at 20:49:15

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Re: Sequential Approval for a Document - similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow

Hello, @Brice235i!

Have you had a chance to apply @v-xida-msft ‘s recommendation to adapt your Flow? If yes, and you find that solution to be satisfactory, please go ahead and click “Accept as Solution” so that this thread will be marked for other users to easily identify!

Thank you for being an active member of the Flow Community!

-Gabriel

Flow Community Manager

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Brice235i 632 on 10 Jun 2018 at 23:42:28

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Re: Sequential Approval for a Document - similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow

Hi, sorry, didn't get a chance to try this. We ended up going back to Classic mode as it was too convoluted. There is nothing special about the document library. Just a whole stack of procedures being drafted up. When a document is finalised, the doc controller simply manually starts an approval workflow - usually sequential - to one manager then the next, or sometimes to a review panel (parellel) then a second stage to the manager. Just like the OOTB approval workflow on the classic library. Seems this basic functionlity has been removed in the modern UI which is causing a lot of confusion.

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Brice235i 632 on 17 Jun 2018 at 14:32:06

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Re: Sequential Approval for a Document - similar to the old 2010 Approval Workflow

The answer provided was marked as the solution by someone else. It was not... didn't work. Many gaps. For instance the "Start an approval workflow" action asks for a specific email address. This person will not be the same for all documents in the library and just like the OOTB approval workflow on the classic library the person who manually triggers the workflow will be required to select the relevant approvers on the fly. Also the screenshot cuts of other fields required for this action cuch as "Item Link" - Add a link to the item to approve. What is supposed to be entered in this field? What is the condition to flow to the next manager and so on? Can you please un-mark as the solution.

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