There are tasks that require more time and dedication. These works delay the progress of the final project. Fortunately, Slack has found an alternative. If you are interested in knowing how to automate your tasks in Slack with the workflow builder and be more productive, keep reading this step by step guide.
Working in a team implies passing specific information to other members instantly. However, the time it takes to complete can be an obstacle to productivity.
Slack, the virtual collaboration platform, has created the workflow generator. A tool that promises to lighten the load of routine jobs.
What is the Slack Workflow Builder and what is it for?
The tool was integrated into Slack by the end of 2019. However, it is likely that new users of the platform are not aware of its functions. For this reason, we explain below what is the Slack workflow builder and what is it for. The workflow generator is a visual tool, which offers the user the possibility of automating their routines.
In other words, the generator offers a great variety of functionalities useful for creating customizable workflows in any workspace. Workflows can be defined as automatic tasks that involve several steps for their execution. No programming code is required to create workflows. The determined steps of each flow are carried out according to the order specified by the user.
In addition, they can be used to compile or send information in Slack, or in third party services. In Slack, workflows can be simple or complex, as required by the user. Another particularity to highlight is that heThe created workflows can be integrated with the rest of the services of the platform directly, as well as to the applications with which you work.
All members of a workspace have the option to generate workflows. Similarly, any guest can make use of the flows attached to the channels in which he is a member. However, Workspace owners or administrators can limit workflow creation to specific members of their organization. The workflow builder is enabled for channel members in Slack who have an account with any of the payment methods.
What tasks can be automated using the Slack flow builder?
The workflow generator is a complement for any company that needs to solve daily tasks quickly. However, What tasks can be automated using the Slack flow generator? Slack’s automation tool helps users.
Mainly in tasks such as:
- Adjust the compilation of requests from the work team.
- Make reports in real time of any type of interruption.
- Update to new members with welcome messages.
However, the workflow generator goes much further, as it has numerous other applications on the platform.
Here we explain in more detail what tasks you can automate in Slack:
Send welcome messages
New members arrive at the workspaces at all times, either because they changed teams or just joined the project as new employees. With the help of the flow generator, you can create welcome messages to notify users who join the channel all the information necessary to catch up.
Custom forms
Submitting applications is part of the daily routine of multiple companies. You may need to request an office supply, or you may need to notify the reception and security of the company about a transfer. All these requests and much more can be carried out with the flow generator, by means of a custom form for the scenario in question.
Collect incident reports
In the same way, custom forms that have standardized inputs are functional for completing urgent category tasks. For this reason, the workflow generator offers the opportunity to every member of Slack of generate reports of interruptions every time they are detected in the service.
Learn step-by-step how to automate tasks with Slack’s workflow builder from scratch
Take into consideration that Slack provides a number of workflow templates so users don’t have to create one. These templates can be downloaded and later imported into the workspace.
However, if you want to make your own workflows, learn step by step how to automate tasks with the Slack Workflow Builder from scratch:
Download the workflow file
Any collaborator in the workspace can download and save the workflow that you use to share it with other users. So you don’t need to create one from scratch. You simply have to import it to other channels so that it runs just as it does on the source channel.
The steps to follow are:
- At the top left of the screen, enter the workspace Slack through your computer.
- Click on the button ‘Tools’.
- Then select the tool ‘Workflow generator’.
- On the side of each workflow is a icon with three dots. Click there.
- Then select ‘Download a workflow file’.
- Finally, press ‘Save.
Download form responses
If he work flow that you use implements a form, you can download your responses to use that data outside of Slack.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Enter the workspace through the computer, from the top left of the screen.
- Click the button ‘Tools’.
- Select option ‘Workflow generator’.
- Head into the workflow from which you want to download the form responses. Later, click on the icon with the three dots.
- Choose ‘Download form responses’.
- In the event that the flow have multiple forms, you must select the corresponding one from the drop-down menu.
Edit workflow steps
Of course, nothing is without changes. For workflows, Slack lets you edit them anytime you need it. You can then publish the changes made so that the flow is available again in the workspace.
The changes you can make are:
- Add or delete workflow steps. You can also modify its operation.
- Add a custom title or icon to workflow.
- Unpublish a workflow so that it is temporarily unavailable.
- Permanently delete the work flow.
To start editing workflow steps in Slack, you must follow these steps:
- Go to the top left of the screen and select workspace through the computer.
- Click the button ‘Tools’.
- Select the generator of workflows.
- Choose a workflow from the listing.
- Press the button ‘Edit’, which is on the side of the passage to be changed.
- Make the relevant changes. Then press ‘Save’. If you want to delete the step, press ‘Remove’.
- Choose ‘Post changes’ if you are done with editing.
List of the best applications that you can integrate with Slack to automate your tasks with the GFT
One of the main advantages of Slack, is its integration with third-party programs. Next, we introduce you a list of the best applications that you can integrate into Slack to automate your tasks with the GFT.
Let’s see:
Zendesk
It is an application that sand is responsible for analyzing the important information contained in a link. By integrating Zendesk with Slack, you have the ability to collect interesting data from the hyperlink preview, before you even open the portal in your browser. Ideal for members who do not have licenses for certain virtual tools.
Dropbox
Slack can be integrated with the main cloud-based tools. Such is the case of Google drive, OneDrive, Box and Dropbox. This time, we will talk about the last one. Thanks to the integration with the platform, you can find and share documents directly from Slack. Also, the titles and content of the files are indexed in the conversations to facilitate their search.
Salesforce
It is an application that allows you configure custom alerts. Ideal to report incidents or to deal with an urgent matter. If a sales opportunity is presented, the App is responsible for informing all the necessary members through a specific channel.
Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar
They are two applications that can be quickly integrate to the Slack interface. Both allow members keep an organized and efficient itinerary, while they can mark the dates of important events. You can create a workflow to add a reminder on the calendar.
Polly
The Polly application is intended to conduct polls and surveys. The program uses artificial intelligence to make decisions based on data obtained through surveys of Slack. For this reason, the user has the option of create an integrated workflow with Polly to collect the information obtained.