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Full Recall Actions entry
How-to guide

Configure recall actions on a classic approval process

Recall actions are configured inside an existing classic approval process from Setup. You add them after the process is created, in the Recall Actions related list on the process detail page.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Jun 16, 2026

Recall actions are configured inside an existing classic approval process from Setup. You add them after the process is created, in the Recall Actions related list on the process detail page.

  1. Allow recall on the process

    Open the approval process in Setup. Edit its properties and select "Allow submitters to recall approval requests" so the Recall Approval Request button appears for users.

  2. Open the Recall Actions related list

    On the approval process detail page, scroll to the Recall Actions related list. Click Add New and choose the action type you want, such as Field Update.

  3. Add a field update to reset status

    Create a field update that sets your status field back to its open value, for example Approval Status to "Recalled". Match it to whatever your initial submission action set.

  4. Add notifications if needed

    Add an email alert or task so approvers or the submitter are told the request was withdrawn. Stack multiple actions in the slot if one recall should do several things.

  5. Activate and test

    Activate the process, submit a test record, then click Recall Approval Request. Confirm the status reset, the record unlocked, and any alerts fired.

Field Updateremember

Writes a value to a field on the recalled record. Most often used to set a status field back to a draft or recalled value.

Email Alertremember

Sends a templated email when the request is recalled, typically to notify approvers or the submitter that review has stopped.

Taskremember

Creates a follow-up task, for example reminding the submitter to correct the record before resubmitting.

Outbound Messageremember

Sends a SOAP message to an external endpoint so an integrated system learns the approval was withdrawn.

Gotchas
  • If "Allow submitters to recall approval requests" is off, the recall button never shows and recall actions never run.
  • Salesforce does not auto-revert initial submission field updates; you must add matching field updates in the recall slot.
  • Recall unlocks the record automatically, so do not build a separate action just to make it editable again.
  • Recall actions fire only for in-progress requests; a completed or rejected request cannot be recalled.

See the full Recall Actions entry

Recall Actions includes the definition, worked example, deep dive, related terms, and a quiz.