Create a Workflow

A workflow is a series of ordered steps of a scientific study that produces a result (usually data) when all the steps have been completed properly. Workflows can be inside projects or studies.

For more information on workflows, see Workflows.

To create a workflow:

1. In Explore view or Workflow Filter view, locate the project or study you want to contain the new workflow. Highlight the desired project or study.
2. Click the Action button. 
   The Action menu appears.
3. In the Action menu, click New.
   The New dialog box appears.
   
4. In the New dialog box, click the drop-down menu, and select Workflow.
5. In the Name field, type a name for the workflow.
   Workflow names cannot contain the following characters: ^ / : * ? ” < > \ |.
   Because this name will appear in other contexts, such as in notifications, workflow names should be unique and descriptive.
6. In the Description field, type a description for the workflow.
7. Click Save to create the workflow.
   FlowJo Envoy creates the workflow. The workflow is now available from all FlowJo Envoy views.
8. If you want to create another workflow in this same location, repeat steps 1 through 7.
9. Click Cancel to close the New dialog box.

Add Instructions to a Workflow

Files must be uploaded to a workflow before they can be designated as instructions for that workflow. For instructions on how to upload a file, see Administer Files, Upload Files.

1. In the Workflow Details panel, click the small plus sign next to the Instructions field. 
   The Choose Instructions dialog box appears, listing all files that have been uploaded to this workflow.
2. In the list, click the desired file name.
   The filename is listed next to the Instructions field.
3. To change the instructions file, click the small plus sign again, and choose another file name from the list.
4. To remove the instructions file, click the small delete button to the left of the file name. 

Add a Step

Every workflow must contain at least one step. For more information on steps, see Steps.

1. In Workflow Filter view, select the workflow you want to modify, and double-click it to open it in Workflow Detail view.
2. At the right of the Workflow panel, click the Add button. 
   The New dialog box appears.
   
3. In the Name field, type a name for the step.
   Step names cannot contain the following characters: ^ / : * ? ” < > \ |.
   Because this name will appear in other contexts, such as in notifications, step names should be unique and descriptive.
4. In the Description field, type a description for the step.
5. Click Save to create the step.
   FlowJo Envoy places the new step at the end of the workflow.
6. If you want to create another step in this workflow, repeat steps 1 through 6.
7. Click Cancel to close the New dialog box.

Reorder Steps

1. Display the desired workflow in Workflow Detail view.
2. Click the desired step.
   Dark blue bars appear above and below the step to show it is selected.
3. At the right of the Workflow panel, use the Reorder buttons to move the selected step. 
   • Click the right arrow to move the step one step later in the workflow.
   • Click the left arrow to move the step one step earlier in the workflow.

Rename a Step

1. Display the desired workflow in Workflow Detail view.
2. Click the desired step.
   Dark blue bars appear above and below the step to show it is selected.
3. At the right of the Workflow panel, click the Add button.
   The New dialog box appears.
4. In the New dialog box, in the Name field, type the new name.
   Because this name will appear in other contexts, such as in notifications, step names should be unique and descriptive.
5. Click Update.
   FlowJo Envoy updates the step name.
6. Click Cancel to close the New dialog box.

Add an Assignee to a Step

If you do not assign a user to the step, FlowJo Envoy automatically assigns it to you (the creator of the workflow).

1. Display the desired workflow in Workflow Detail view.
2. Click the desired step.
   Dark blue bars appear above and below the step to show it is selected.
3. In the Step Details panel, click the plus sign next to the Assigned To field.
4. Choose the desired user from the Users drop-down list.
5. FlowJo Envoy assigns the user to the step, and sends the user a notification that they have been assigned the step.

Add Instructions to a Step

Files must be uploaded to a workflow before they can be designated as instructions for a step in that workflow. For instructions on how to upload a file, see Administer Files, Upload Files. Files uploaded to the workflow are available as instructions for any step in that workflow.

1. In the Step Details panel, click the small plus sign next to the Step Instructions field. 
   The Choose Instructions dialog box appears, listing all files that have been uploaded to this workflow.
   
2. In the list, click the desired file name.
   The filename is listed next to the Step Instructions field.
3. To change the instructions file, click the small plus sign again, and choose another file name from the list.
4. To remove the instructions file, click the small delete button to the left of the file name. 

Add an Instrument to a Step

1. Display the desired workflow in Workflow Detail view.
2. Click the desired step.
   Dark blue bars appear above and below the step to show it is selected.
3. In the Step Details panel, click the small plus sign below the Instruments list. 
   The Choose Instrument dialog box appears.
   
4. In the list, click the desired instrument.
   FlowJo Envoy adds the instrument to the step.

Delete a Step

Note: Only workflow owners can delete a step.

1. Display the desired workflow in Workflow Detail view.
2. Click the desired step.
   Dark blue bars appear above and below the step to show it is selected.
3. At the right of the Workflow panel, click the Add button.
   The Add menu appears.
4. Click Delete.
   FlowJo Envoy removes the step from the workflow.

To learn more about FlowJo Envoy’s data hierarchy, see Data Structure.