Workflow Actions are the things a Workflow Rule does when it fires — Field Update / Email Alert / Outbound Message / Task. They're configured per Workflow Rule under Immediate Actions or Time-Dependent Actions. Salesforce has retired Workflow Rules for new automation in favor of Flow; existing actions still work but new development should use Flow.
- Open Setup → Workflow Rules → click into a Rule
Workflow Actions are configured per Workflow Rule, not standalone.
- Pick Immediate vs Time-Dependent Actions
Immediate fires when the rule's criteria match. Time-Dependent fires X days/hours later, queued in the Time-Based Workflow Queue.
- Click Add Workflow Action → pick type
Field Update / Email Alert / Task / Outbound Message. Each has its own configuration form.
- Configure the action
Field Update: pick field + value. Email Alert: pick template + recipients. Task: subject + assignee. Outbound Message: endpoint + fields.
- Save the action
Action is now part of the rule. Multiple actions per rule are allowed — they fire in order.
- Activate the parent Workflow Rule
Inactive rules don't fire; therefore inactive actions don't fire either.
Field Update / Email Alert / Task / Outbound Message.
Fire now or schedule for later.
Allowed; fire in order.
- Workflow Rules are retired for new automation in modern Salesforce. New Field Updates / Email Alerts should be in Flow Builder. Workflow Actions still exist on legacy rules but won't see new features.
- Time-Dependent Actions queue in the Time-Based Workflow Queue. Editing the parent record may move or remove queue entries depending on Re-Evaluate Workflow Rules behavior.
- Field Updates from Workflow Actions can re-fire Workflow Rules if Re-Evaluate is on. Risk of recursion — keep this off unless intentional.