---
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


---

# Set automatic approval rules

# Set automatic approval rules {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Yokohama  
Updated January 30, 2025  
![](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Classic approval rules have been replaced by the Workflow Studio [Ask for Approval action](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/eNjrggHQNOdpv8E3iNKJ4w "Request approval for a record with an approval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.

## 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