Creating and Linking Steps Automatically

After you select a step, you can automatically create all the links from it to other steps using the Next Step tab of the Edit Step dialog box. If the connected steps have not already been drawn, this procedure draws them as well.

When you click OK to close the Edit Step dialog box, the new step/links appear at the top left corner of the workspace. Use the mouse to drag the steps to more appropriate positions, or click Layout > Automatic Layout to arrange the steps.

If the steps were already drawn manually, but you defined links using the Next Step tab of the Edit Step dialog box, Workflow Designer draws the arrow from the first step’s left edge to the second step’s right edge, regardless of their locations in the workspace.

This procedure is not recommended initially because the rearranging may be as much work as drawing the steps and links manually, but it can be used to make a few changes automatically afterwards.

Conditional links can be created only by using the Next Steps tab of the Edit Step dialog box.

Tip: If you change your mind about some of the steps selected, highlight the unwanted steps and click Remove Steps.
  1. Do one of the following to select the step from which the new steps will be linked, and open the Edit Step dialog box:
    • Double-click an existing step.
    • Select an existing step and then select the View > Edit Step Properties.
    • Right-click inside an existing step and select Step Properties from the context menu.
    • Select an existing step and then select Edit > Step Properties.
    The Edit Step dialog box displays.
  2. Click the Next Steps tab.
  3. Select <otherwise> in the Conditions column to specify links for this step that do not have conditions.
  4. Click Add Steps. The Select Next Steps dialog box displays.
  5. Select the steps to transition to from the list of values.
  6. Click OK.
Parent topic: Creating and Linking Steps