---
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


---

# Set automatic approval rules

# Set automatic approval rules {#ariaid-title1}

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

Approval rules can automatically set the approval state to something other than
Not yet requested. As a result, an approval rule can create a set of
approvers. You can also start the approval process by setting the approval state to
Requested.
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Classic approval rules have been replaced by the Workflow Studio [Ask for Approval action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/b_wb~rFm82ytUgYBbHM2nA "Request approval for a record.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.

## Prerequisites

Role required: admin

Approval rules have two new fields:

* Run rule before: If true, the approval rule runs before the record is inserted/updated.
* Set State: If this rule applies, then the task record's approval state is automatically set to this value.  
  Note:  
  The Set State field only behaves as expected if the Run rule before check box is enabled.
* In the example below, this rule automatically sets the state of the task to Approved thereby auto-approving the task.

Figure 1. Approval Rules fields