Creating Custom Workflows with the SharePoint Designer 2007

Posted By: doncho | May 26th, 2006 @ 11:03 AM | 85,767 Views | 9 Comments

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Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 integrates with the Windows Workflow Foundation to provide a platform for creating custom workflows for lists and document libraries. This tutorial shows how to build a custom workflow using the wizard provided by SharePoint Designer 2007.

Tags: MS Office, Sharepoint

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era

I just saw a demo which was interesting. Looks like Sharepoint will have a new IDE sharepoint designer 2007. The workflow shown in the demo is great but am not sure how far the workflow will work for anything other than the document libarary. For ex, if i need to create my own custom form and want it to be filled and reviewd by couple of people, am not sure how it’s going to work? Any ideas!!!!!!!

doncho
Evangelist

Great question era. You can use InfoPath to add forms to each step in the workflow process. These forms can be accessed from the browser or in e-mail as part of the workflow.

-Don

era

Thx Don, So do i require to install one more : infopath?

I have one more, Let's say that i want my customers to create their own work flows without having Ms Office (Sharepoint designer or InfoPath). ie, do we have API's supporting the workflow that enables creating workflows on the fly. For ex, can i create an application for my customers by which they can create their workflow from my application...?? Is this Possible??

Hope u got my question! Pls revert back if u dont!

doncho
Evangelist

No InfoPath is not required. It just helps you build more sophisticated forms for the workflows.

You can build workflows without SharePoint Designer, you can build them in Visual Studio too. The workflow in Office SharePoint Server is based on Windows Workflow Foundation. Check out this link for some more info.
-Don

era

Don, I tried creating a new custom workflow and i could deploy it to SharePoint, but when i try to bind it to a list i get this error :

'The form cannot be displayed because session state is not available. '

Will appreciate your earlier reply.

Thanks

era

I got it solved a couple of days before...anyone who runs into the same issue can check this in my blog

http://spiderwool.blogspot.com/

Vin

Braegger

Hi all

I have to create a workflow with VisualStudio and use a InfoPath template. Are there any Demos or tutorials for that?

Thanks a lot...

Hollyanne

I am using Windows Share Point Services 3.0 and Share Point Designer. I am unable to get any of my work flows, including the 3 state workflow included in WSS 3.0, to run. I get the following error;
"The data source control failed to execute the insert command"
I have checked everything I can think of. Help Please!

Parsa

I really need help making a workflow using sharepoint,

I downloaded the train version for sharepoint and noticed there wasnt "create a workflow" when i click FILE, then NEW.

So i registered it and has the same problem.

Then i uninstalled sharepoint and downloaded microsoft office sharepoint designer and i still cant create a workflow.

What exactly do i need.

All i want to do is create a workflow that allows a user to create a page and edit it.