Flow Builder: Canvas, Toolbar, and Node Palette
Open the designer
Open Applications → Flow Builder, locate a workflow, then select its main row for View mode or its pencil action for Edit mode. New Workflow first opens the metadata page and then continues to Flow Builder.
View mode is read-only. Edit mode allows you to add, connect, configure, move, and remove nodes.
Work on the canvas
- Drag a node from Workflow Elements onto the canvas.
- Select a node to open its configuration when that node supports settings.
- Drag from an output handle to another node's input handle to create a connection.
- Select a node or connection and press Delete or Backspace to remove it.
- Drag empty canvas space to pan. Use the mouse wheel or toolbar to zoom.
- Use Shift-click or a selection box to select multiple elements.
- Multi-outcome nodes ask which outcome the new connection represents.
Save after configuring nodes and before running the workflow.
Current node palette
The palette contains exactly these user-visible nodes.
Basic
| Node | Visible purpose | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Choose how the workflow starts. | Standard |
| Email Trigger | Start on a matching email or wait for one mid-workflow. | Standard |
| Send notifications. | Standard | |
| Task | Assign work items and collect an action. | Standard |
| Python Script | Run Python code with file input and output. | Administrators only |
| AI Agent | Run an AI-powered step. | Standard |
| Documents | Fetch or save documents. | Standard |
| Report | Fill a Word template or create an AI-authored report. | Standard |
| DB Query | Query App Builder or Workflow Database data. | Enterprise |
| Foreach | Iterate over a list of items. | Enterprise |
| Reminder Scheduler | Send date-based email reminders. | Enterprise |
Logic
| Node | Visible purpose |
|---|---|
| If/Else Condition | Route to Yes or No from one condition. |
| Conditional Branch | Choose among multiple conditional routes. |
| Pause | Suspend the workflow for a configured delay. |
| Split Branches | Start parallel paths. |
| Merge Branches | Rejoin parallel paths using All, Any, or Count. |
| Loop | Connect back to an earlier step for retry or revision. |
| End | Finish a workflow branch. |
Toolbar controls
File and editing controls
| Control | Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Save Workflow | Ctrl/Cmd+S | Save the canvas. |
| Export Workflow | Ctrl/Cmd+E | Download the design as JSON. |
| Import Workflow | — | Load a workflow JSON file onto the canvas. Review before saving because it can replace the current design. |
| Manage Saved Workflows | — | Return to Workflow Management. |
| Undo to Previous Version | Ctrl/Cmd+Z | Move back one available change or version. |
| Redo to Next Version | Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Z | Reapply the next available change or version. |
| Copy Selected Elements | Ctrl/Cmd+C | Copy the current node selection. |
| Auto Arrange Layout | Ctrl/Cmd+L | Arrange the complete graph. |
| Horizontal / Vertical layout | — | Choose the direction used by Auto Arrange. |
The workflow name appears in the middle. Double-click it to edit, press Enter to accept, or Escape to cancel. Unsaved means the canvas differs from the last saved version.
View, execution, and panels
| Control | Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Out | Ctrl/Cmd+- | Reduce zoom. |
| Fit to View | Ctrl/Cmd+0 | Fit every node in the viewport. |
| Zoom In | Ctrl/Cmd++ | Increase zoom. |
| Toggle Grid | Ctrl/Cmd+G | Show or hide the dot grid. |
| Toggle Minimap | Ctrl/Cmd+M | Show or hide the canvas overview. |
| Active / Inactive | — | Change whether a saved workflow can run. It is hidden for a workflow that has not been saved yet. |
| Run Workflow | Ctrl/Cmd+R | Start a manual run when the design and trigger allow it. |
| Reset Workflow | — | Return the canvas to its last saved state and discard unsaved changes. |
| Clear All Elements | — | Remove every node and connection from the canvas. |
| Variable Panel | Ctrl+Shift+V | Open or close available workflow values. |
| AI Builder | — | Build or revise the workflow through a reviewed chat proposal. |
| Light / Dark mode | Ctrl/Cmd+D | Change the designer theme. |
Toolbar actions that change the workflow are disabled in View mode.
Variable Panel
Open Variable Panel to inspect values produced by Start and earlier nodes. Variables are grouped by source. Select a value to copy its {{variable_name}} token, then paste it into a field that accepts workflow variables, such as an email subject, task description, condition, query, or report.
Only use variables available before the node that consumes them. A value produced later in the graph is not available earlier.
Grid, minimap, and layout
- The grid is a visual alignment aid.
- The minimap shows the complete graph and is useful on large canvases.
- Fit to View is the quickest way to recover when the graph is off screen.
- Auto Arrange Layout applies the selected horizontal or vertical direction to the whole graph.
Safe editing checklist
- Give every important node a descriptive label.
- Connect every required outcome, not only the default route.
- Ensure each branch either rejoins correctly or reaches End.
- Open Variable Panel and verify names used in downstream fields.
- Save, check the Active / Inactive state, then run a controlled test.
- Open Applications → Workflow → All Instances to confirm the result.