---
title: "Start workflow"
slug: "start-workflow"
description: "Start a data entry workflow to create, edit, or delete records using templates. Manage tasks efficiently with dynamic menu forms and attachments."
tags: ["Task topic"]
updated: 2026-09-23T08:28:37Z
published: 2026-09-23T08:28:37Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/start-workflow"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staedean.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start workflow

You can start a data entry workflow from the forms to which it applies.

Depending on the dynamic menu form setup of a data entry workflow template, you can start a data entry workflow to create or edit a record.

If you create, edit, or delete a record using a data entry workflow template, a workflow task dialog is opened based on the initial step setup.

When you complete the initial workflow task, based on the applicable data entry workflow template setup, the next workflow task is created with the applicable assignment.

### Steps

1. Open the page from which you want to start a data entry workflow.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> You can only start a data entry workflow if:
> 
> - A data entry workflow template is applied to the page.
> - You are assigned to the initial step of the data entry workflow template. You can be assigned as a user or by role or team.
2. On the **Action Pane**, click **Data entry workflow**.
3. Sub-task: Create blank record.
  1. Click **New** record to open the drop dialog.
  2. By default, in the **Create from** field, the '**Blank**' option is selected.

If '**Blank**' is selected, you can apply a user template to create a record.

In the **Apply** template field, enter or select a value.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> For more info on user templates, refer to [Create a record template to facilitate data entry](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/data-entities/tasks/create-record-template-facilitate-data-entry).
  3. In the templates list, find and select the desired data entry workflow template.
  4. Click **OK**.
  5. Fill in the fields and click **Complete**.
4. Sub-task: Create record based on existing record.
  1. You can create a record based on an existing record.

On the page on which you want to create a record, in the list, find and select the desired existing record.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> If the **Block create from existing record** parameter is enabled, you cannot create a record from an existing record. You can only create a record from a blank form. See also: [Set up Data entry workflow parameters](https://docs.staedean.com/docs/en/set-up-data-entry-workflow-parameters).
  2. Click **New** record to open the drop dialog.
  3. In the **Create** from field, select '**Existing**'.
  4. In the templates list, find and select the desired data entry workflow template.
  5. Click **OK**.
  6. Fill in the fields and click **Complete**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> Except for the key fields of the record, the fields are already filled based on the selected existing record.
5. Sub-task: Edit record.
  1. On the page from which you want to edit a record, in the list, find and select the desired record.
  2. Click **Edit** record to open the drop dialog.
  3. In the templates list, find and select the desired data entry workflow template.
  4. Click **OK**.
  5. Edit the desired fields and click **Complete**.
6. Sub-task: Delete record.
  1. On the page from which you want to delete a record, in the list, find and select the desired record.
  2. Click **Delete record** to open the drop dialog.
  3. In the templates list, find and select the desired data entry workflow template.
  4. Click **OK**.
  5. Click **Delete**.
  6. On the confirmation message, click **Yes**.
7. Close the page.

> [!NOTE]
> **Notes**
> 
> - You can also start a data entry workflow in the **Data entry workflow** **management** workspace, on the **Templates** tab. To do so, select the desired template and click **Start**. On the **Templates** tab, only the data entry workflow templates are shown:
>   - That are active.
>   - For which you are assigned to the initial step. You can be assigned as a user or by role or team.
> - You can save the data that you entered doing an initial workflow task and:
>   - Keep the task assigned to yourself. You can, for example, do so if you want to continue entering data at another moment.
>   - Unassign the task. You can do so if the data entry workflow step is assigned to other users as well or to a role or team. You can, for example, do so if you want others to continue entering data for the workflow task.
> - If you complete or save a data entry workflow task, the entered data is stored in a staging table.
> - If you complete a data entry workflow task for which **Transfer to target** is enabled, the data is also transferred from the staging table to the applicable target tables.
> - For each workflow task, you can create attachments. You can use these attachments to provide additional information related to the created or edited record. To create or add an attachment, on the workflow task dialog, click **Attachment**.
> - When you hover over a lookup field value on a workflow task, a tooltip shows the key details of the selected record, consistent with the standard hover behavior in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management.

## Related

- [Data quality studio integration](/data-quality-studio-integration.md)
- [Use data entry workflow to delete records](/use-data-entry-workflow-to-delete-records.md)