Problem
Currently, importing data does not directly trigger Automation Pro. This limitation can be inconvenient for enterprises that rely on automated workflows to process imported records efficiently.
Solution
This article introduces a workaround: using the Node Timeout Handling feature in your workflow to indirectly trigger Automation Pro after data import.
Notes:
Import Limit: Since data import can trigger up to 300 workflows at a time, a maximum of 300 records can be processed by Automation Pro in a single import.
Trigger Delay: Since this method uses timeout handling, the automation is triggered 1 minute (or your configured duration) after data import, rather than instantly.
Solution Design
In the workflow form where you import data, set up node due time and overdue actions at the approval node. Configure it to automatically submit the data 2 minutes after reaching the node.
Add Automation Pro to the workflow, and set the trigger action to "when the workflow ends." Set the trigger condition as "workflow status equals completed." Configure the execution action as needed, such as add or modify data.
When importing workflow data, check the option "Initiate Workflow upon Import".
After importing the data, no manual intervention is required. The workflow will automatically submit after 1 minute, which will then trigger Automation Pro.
See it in Action
Let’s illustrate with a sales management scenario where lead status is updated:
The "Leads" form is used to record the company's sales leads. For leads without an order record, the lead status is marked as "Not Ordered". Basic data is entered as follows.
Sales orders need to be imported from external sources. Go to "Order > Manage Data", click "Import", and check the option "Initiate Workflow upon Import". Then, import the sample data. For record details, see Order_sampledata.xlsx
No manual workflow processing is required. After 2 minutes, Automation Pro will be automatically triggered and update the corresponding lead status to "Ordered". We can see the automation pro was executed successfully from the trigger history.
How to Set it Up?
Next, let's see how to configure the workflow and automation pro step by step.
Step 1 Preparing two forms
In this case, we use Leads and Order form as examples to show how to set everything up.
Leads Form
Field Name | Field Type |
Customer Name | Single Line |
Industry | Dropdown |
Contact Person | Single Line |
Phone Number | Single Line |
Lead Source | Dropdown |
Lead Status | Radio |
Order Form
Field Name | Field Type |
Order Number | Serial No. |
Order Date | Date&Time |
Customer Name | Single Line |
Consignee | Single Line |
Contact Number | Single Line |
Order Details | Subform |
Order Total | Number |
Prepayment | Number |
Amount Due | Number |
Step 2 Setting node due time and overdue actions
Go to "Order > Workflow"
Select the approval node, then go to "Node Properties > Proceeding Rules > Overdue Actions" and click "Set Actions"
In the timeout settings, set the deadline to 2 minutes after node arrival and add a rule for auto-submit at the deadline.
Step 3 Creating and configuring an automation
Go to "Order > Extension > Automations" and click +New Automation.
Set trigger type to "Form Trigger", and choose "Order" as the target form.
Configure Trigger Node
Trigger: Select Workflow ends as the trigger, which means the automation will be triggered when the workflow ends.
Trigger Condition: Workflow status equals to "Completed"
Add an Update Record node
Target Form: Choose the Leads form as the target form.
Filter Condition: Customer Name equals to imported Customer Name
Field Update: Set Lead Status to "Ordered"
Save and enable the automation.
Now, you are all set up! You can follow this guide to configure your own automation pro to streamline your enterprise automation. This approach is especially useful for sales, inventory, and procurement management scenarios where data is frequently imported from external sources.
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