Time-Dependent Workflow Actions are scheduled actions on Workflow Rules — "send a follow-up email 7 days after the Lead was created," "create a task 2 days before the contract End Date." They live in the Time-Based Workflow Queue until the trigger time arrives, then their actions execute. Modern alternative is Flow with Wait elements.
- Open Setup → Workflow Rules → click into a Rule
Time-Dependent Actions are per-rule, not standalone.
- Scroll to Time-Dependent Workflow Actions section
Below the Immediate Workflow Actions list.
- Click Add Time Trigger
Specify the offset: X days / hours before or after a date field.
- Set the time-trigger formula
References a date field on the record — "CreatedDate + 7 days," "Close Date - 1 day," or a more complex formula.
- Save the time trigger → Add Workflow Actions to it
The trigger has its own actions list. Field Update / Email Alert / Task / Outbound Message — same as Immediate Actions.
- Activate the parent Workflow Rule
Inactive rules don't queue time triggers.
- Monitor the Time-Based Workflow Queue
Setup → Monitor Workflow Services → Time-Based Workflow Queue. See pending entries; cancel via Delete if needed.
X minutes / hours / days / months before or after a date field.
Re-check rule criteria at trigger time before firing actions.
Same as Immediate — Field Update / Email Alert / Task / Outbound Message.
- Salesforce has retired new Time-Dependent Workflow Actions for newer orgs. Modern automation should use Flow's Wait / Pause elements instead.
- Re-evaluate Criteria when Trigger Fires defaults to OFF. A trigger queued when criteria matched ("Lead is Open") still fires even if the lead is now closed. Tick this option for criteria-based gating at trigger time.
- Editing a record may move queue entries. The trigger time formula recalculates on certain edits — verify in Setup → Monitor Workflow Services that pending actions still show the expected fire time.