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

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Classic approvals

# Classic approvals {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Yokohama  
Updated January 30, 2025  
![](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Classic approval rules have been replaced by the Workflow Studio [Ask for Approval action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/eNjrggHQNOdpv8E3iNKJ4w "Request approval for a record with an approval field. You can configure a rule set for an approval, rejection, or cancellation. If a due date is added to an approval, the approval is automatically approved, rejected, or canceled if the approvers have not responded by the 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=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-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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