--- 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 --- # Workflow editor # Workflow editor {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Australia * * Updated July 8, 2026 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Workflow editor The Workflow Editor in ServiceNow Australia release is a graphical interface designed for creating and modifying workflows by arranging and connecting activities to automate business processes. It allows management of multiple workflows simultaneously, creation of custom activities, and use of existing activities as data sources. Users with theworkflowcreatorrole can create workflows, while those with theworkflowadminrole can create, modify, delete, and publish workflows. Show full answer Show less Note that from the Zurich release onward, new customers receive Workflow Studio content instead of legacy workflows. Although legacy workflows can still be created and edited by upgraded customers, Workflow Studio is the recommended tool for new process automation due to ongoing feature enhancements. To access the Workflow Editor, navigate to **Workflow \> Workflow Editor**. It is recommended to use the Core UI for the best user experience, as the Next Experience UI does not fully support the classic Workflow Editor. ## Key Features * **Welcome Screen:** Displays active, published workflows and allows quick access to open existing workflows, create new ones, and access workflow help resources. Filters include Published, Checked Out (workflows checked out to the current user), and Help. * **Workflow Canvas:** The main workspace for adding and configuring workflow activities and transitions. Activities can be dragged from the palette onto the canvas. The canvas includes tabs for multiple workflows, a title bar showing workflow name and status (e.g., Checked out, Published), and palette tabs. * **Workflow Palette:** Contains workflow activities and subflows organized into tabs: * **Workflows:** Existing workflows usable as subflows. * **Core:** Base system and orchestration activities appropriate for the selected workflow. * **Packs:** Orchestration activity packs from the ServiceNow App Store, visible when the orchestration plugin is installed. * **Custom:** Custom orchestration activities, also visible with orchestration plugin installed. * **Data:** Activities outputting data that can serve as data sources for others (requires orchestration plugin). * **Accessibility:** Keyboard navigation and accessibility features are included to support users with disabilities. ## Practical Considerations * Customers upgrading to Australia from earlier versions may need to revert the Workflow Editor welcome page UI to the latest version if it was customized previously. * The Workflow Editor supports managing multiple workflows in one interface, enhancing efficiency in workflow administration. * Legacy workflows are maintained only for upgraded customers; new customers should adopt Workflow Studio for creating process automation workflows. By using the Workflow Editor, ServiceNow customers can efficiently design, manage, and maintain workflows to automate business processes, with a structured and accessible user interface that supports customization and orchestration activities. The Workflow Editor is an interface for creating and modifying workflows by arranging and connecting activities to drive processes. Important: As of the Zurich release, new customers no longer receive the legacy workflows created and published by ServiceNow, Inc.. All legacy workflow functionality has been replaced by Workflow Studio content. Only customers who upgraded from prior versions retain the ability to use and edit existing legacy workflows. While all customers retain the ability to create legacy workflows, you are strongly encouraged to instead use Workflow Studio to create process automation content. Only Workflow Studio will receive new features and enhancements. You can manage multiple workflows in the same screen, create custom workflow activities, and use existing activities as data sources. Users with the workflow_creator role can create workflows. Users with the workflow_admin role can create, modify, delete, and publish workflows. To open the Workflow Editor, navigate to WorkflowWorkflow Editor. For information about using the editor, see [Create a workflow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/mdIp~cddY8qnsvRSARlQOg "Automate a multi-step process by creating a workflow with the Workflow Editor."). Warning: The Next Experience UI does not fully support the classic Workflow Editor. For the best UI experience, use the Core UI instead. ## Welcome screen {#workflow-editor__wf-welcome-screen} The editor opens with the Welcome page, which displays a list of active, published workflows. From this tab, you can open existing workflows, create new workflows, and open help resources related to workflow. ![Number 1 icon]()List display filters : Published: Click to view list of published workflows : Checked Out: Click to view list of workflows checked out to current user : Help: Click to view links to help resources for workflow ![Number 2 icon]()New Workflow button : Click to create a new workflow ![Number 3 icon]()Palette tabs : Workflows: Workflow activities and workflows you can use as subflows. : Core: Available workflow activities appropriate for the selected workflow. Contents can include activities provided by the base system and those purchased with orchestration. : Packs: Orchestration activity packs downloaded from the ServiceNow® App Store, organized by vendor and scope. Custom activities and workflows that you scope also appear as packs. Only visible if the orchestration plugin is installed. : Custom: Orchestration custom activities available. Only visible if the orchestration plugin is installed. : Data: Activities in the current workflow that output data. You can use these activities as data sources for other activities. Only visible if the orchestration plugin is installed. Note: If your workflow welcome page does not look like this example, you may have customized the workflow welcome page before upgrading to Australia. You can update the workflow welcome page to the latest version by editing the [UI pages](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=r_UIPages&version=australia&pubname=australia-api-reference&ft:locale=en-US) . Navigate to System UIUI PagesWorkflow Editor welcome. In the UI page record for workflow_editor_welcome, scroll to the Versions related list. Select the row for the version corresponding to the upgrade to Australia, right-click and select Revert to this version. ## Workflow canvas After you open or create a new workflow, the system displays the workflow canvas. On the canvas you interact with the Workflow Editor through several different elements: the canvas itself, the canvas tabs, the title bar, the palette, and the palette tabs. The drawing canvas is where you add activities and configure transitions for checked out workflows. Add an activity by dragging it from the palette to the workflow in the canvas. For more information, see [Create a workflow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/mdIp~cddY8qnsvRSARlQOg "Automate a multi-step process by creating a workflow with the Workflow Editor."). * Canvas tabs: Contains tabs for accessing workflows being edited or created. * Title bar: Displays the workflow name and status. Provides a menu and controls for configuring, testing, and validating workflows. * Canvas: Provides the working surface for creating new workflows or editing existing ones. * Palette tabs: Contains tabs for accessing activities being edited or created. * Palette: Contains all available workflow activities and existing workflows you can use as subflows. Drag activities and subflows to the canvas to create new workflows or edit existing ones. {#workflow-editor__ul_gvn_bnw_kr} Figure 1. Workflow user interface * **[Workflow palette](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/U_FvAtR6Z1YqmPe4oFXlFw)** The default workflow palette contains workflow activities and existing workflows you can use as subflows. * **[Workflow editor title bar](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/YSLQfyWYmUneJRlDxHlykA)** When a workflow is opened in the canvas, the title bar displays the workflow title and the workflow status in italics. Possible states are Checked out by \ and Published. * **[Workflow editor keyboard navigation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/h_7bPexj7p8QoTnkPbU0cw)** The platform includes accessibility features that makes the interface accessible to users with disabilities. *[\>]: and then