Workflow Automation
SmartTable's workflow automation engine lets you build no-code automations that react to events in your data. Introduced in v1.6.0, it can save time on repetitive tasks and keep your team in sync.
How Workflows Work
A workflow has two parts:
- Trigger — The event that starts the workflow.
- Nodes — The actions and decisions that run after the trigger.
Workflows are bound to a base or a specific table. You can pause, resume, edit, and version them at any time.
Creating a Workflow
- Open Workflow from the left menu.
- Click New Workflow.
- Select the associated base or table.
- Enter a name and description.
- Click Create and start adding nodes.
Trigger Types
| Trigger | When It Fires |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Time | One-time or recurring (daily/weekly/monthly/yearly/custom); supports deadline configuration |
| Record Created | When a new record is created; supports filter conditions |
| Record Updated | When a record is modified; can listen to specific fields and apply filters |
Node Types
| Node | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Create Record | Creates a record in a target table with static values or reference expressions |
| Update Record | Updates fields on the source record with static values or expressions |
| Webhook Node | Calls an external HTTP endpoint using an existing config or inline config |
| Condition Node | Branches the workflow based on AND/OR condition combinations |
| Node Sorting | Drag nodes to adjust execution order |
Reference Expressions
Use reference expressions to pull values from the trigger record or related records. For example, map the trigger record's assignee into a newly created task.
Version Management
Workflows support version snapshots:
- Save the current configuration as a version.
- View version history and compare configurations.
- Roll back to a previous version when needed.
Webhook Delivery Management
Workflows can call external services via webhooks:
- Configure URL, HTTP method, headers, and request body template.
- Set retry count and interval.
- Test the webhook before going live.
- View delivery records, request parameters, response status, and response body.
Execution Logs
Track every workflow run:
- Trigger time and trigger record
- Status of each node
- Error messages and retry options
Best Practices
- Keep workflows focused and easy to understand.
- Use meaningful node names and comments for complex logic.
- Add error handling and retries for webhook calls.
- Review execution logs regularly.