---
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


---

# With a Service Catalog trigger

# Create a flow with a Service Catalog trigger {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Australia
* 
* Updated March 12, 2026
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

Start a flow when a Service Catalog item is requested to automate the fulfillment process.

## Before you begin

Role required: flow_designer or admin

## About this task

Unlike a record trigger which runs on all records in a table, the Service Catalog trigger runs on all catalog item requests for a specific item when the catalog item is configured to run a specific flow. For example, you can define a flow that runs every time there is a request for a tablet. The requested item becomes the flow trigger record.

## Procedure

1. If not already created, create the catalog item to associate with the flow.
   1. Navigate to Service CatalogCatalog DefinitionMaintain Items.  
      The Catalog Items \[sc_cat_item\] table opens.
   2. Click New.
   3. Complete the fields.  
      For a detailed description of catalog item fields, see [Catalog Item form](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=catalog-item-form&version=australia&pubname=australia-servicenow-platform&ft:locale=en-US).  
      Note:  
      If you plan to add stages to your flow, verify that there is not an existing workflow associated with the item that also has stages. Clear the values of the Workflow and Execution Plan fields to prevent conflicting stages from reporting to the requested item stage field.
   4. Clear any existing values in the Workflow and Execution Plan fields.
   {#create-sc-flow__substeps_y2z_c2q_jdb}
2. Create the flow to associate with the catalog item.  
   When triggered, this flow processes the catalog item request.
   1. Navigate to Process AutomationFlow Designer.
   2. Click + NewNew Flow.
   3. Define the flow properties.  
      For more information, see [Create a flow in Workflow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/gEVHy7dO3gkmJ7P2I90Ygg "Run a sequence of actions and flow logic when the trigger conditions occur.").
   4. In the Trigger section, add a trigger and select Service Catalog.  
      Note:  
      Service Catalog triggers do not support catalog variables as part of the trigger condition. Instead, get or create catalog variables in the main body of the flow.
   5. **Optional:** Create flow-specific catalog variables available only to flow actions.  
      See [Create flow Service Catalog variables](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/Ao6DYdysF4TrWPu2x5kehw "Create Service Catalog variables that are only available to a specific Service Catalog flow. Flow-specific variables are available to catalog tasks and actions in the flow.").
   6. Add actions, subflows, and flow logic to the flow.  
      Some actions enable you to manage catalog items. For example, the Create Catalog Task action generates a task for the requested item, and the Get Catalog Variables action enables you to access catalog variables as data pills in the flow. See [Create Catalog Task action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/t5oYQOX5JvXOnlN_s_m75g "Creates a record in the Catalog Task [sc_task] table associated to a requested item in the Requested Items [sc_req_item] table. Adds the catalog task record as data to be used in the flow.") and [Get Catalog Variables action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ZQ05GS8xShoVFqig_ynX~w "Select variables from multiple template catalog items and variable sets using the Get Catalog Variables action.").
   7. **Optional:** Add stages to the flow to report progress to the requester.  
      See [Flow and subflow stages](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/gUI6yI1xjkduFlwX7yT2wA "Communicate the current stage of a request, flow, or subflow with an end user.").
   8. Test the flow.  
      Once behaving as desired, activate the flow. For more information, see [Test a flow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/16GAKmUMqo2akmwgAuG1TA "Before activating a flow so other users can access it, test to make certain it works the way you expect.") and [Activate a flow](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/gz_eYvyCFgiOf2838wpXdA "Activate a flow to make it available to run.").  
      Note:  
      You can't activate a flow if it references catalog variables that are inactive or don't exist.
   {#create-sc-flow__substeps_o23_52q_jdb}
3. Add the flow to the Flow field of the catalog item you created.
   1. Navigate to the catalog item.
   2. In the Flow field, select the flow you created.  
      Note:  
      The Flow field only displays flows with a Service Catalog trigger. If the Flow field is not visible, configure the form to display it.
   3. Click Update.
   {#create-sc-flow__substeps_lgq_x3q_jdb}

## Result

When the catalog item is requested, the associated flow triggers and runs the actions.

## What to do next

Create and deploy catalog item records to your instances.  
Note:  
Service Catalog records are created in the global scope. They are not part of the source control or application repository transfer, and they are not part of the default Workflow Studio update set.

*[\>]: and then