---
sourceDocument: Australia Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/build-workflows

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Classic approvals

# Classic approvals {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Classic approvals are a legacy process to require authorization on tasks before the work is done. In earlier releases, you could create approval records to define approval tasks and associate users or groups to approve or reject them.
Administrators can define classic approval logic by navigating to AllSystem PolicyRulesApprovals.  
Important:  
Classic approval rules have been replaced by the Workflow Studio [Ask for Approval action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/b_wb~rFm82ytUgYBbHM2nA "Request approval for a record. Configure a set of rules to automatically approve, reject, or cancel an approval request without having to write script. Add a due date to automatically approve, reject, or cancel when a decision has not been made by a designated time."). Use Workflow Studio to create workflow-driven approval logic that is easier to maintain and provides better reporting information.

Administrators can see all approval requests by navigating to AllSelf-ServiceMy Approvals and removing the list filter.

An approval record consists of these fields:
{#r_Approvals__table_dkw_tvt_lt__entry__2}

| Field | Input value |
|-|-|
| Approver | A reference to the user who is responsible for approving the related record. |
| State | Choices are: * Not Yet Requested (This state indicates that you are not yet asking your approvers to approve this request. Until you set the status to Requested they will receive no email notifications about the request.) * Requested * Approved * Rejected {#r_Approvals__ul_ggy_wvt_lt} |
| Approving | A document_id reference field to the record being approved, on any table. |
| Comments | A journal field for storing comments regarding the approval. |
| Approval Summarizer | A [Create a formatter and add it to a form](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_CreateAFormatter&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US) that displays key fields relevant to the approval from the referenced document. This summarizer will not display if there is no record referenced. |
[Table 1. Approval record components]

{#r_Approvals__table_dkw_tvt_lt}

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