Workflow Queue
In Salesforce workflow, the system queue that holds time-dependent workflow actions waiting to execute at their scheduled time, viewable by admins in Setup under Time-Based Workflow monitoring.
Definition
In Salesforce workflow, the system queue that holds time-dependent workflow actions waiting to execute at their scheduled time, viewable by admins in Setup under Time-Based Workflow monitoring.
In plain English
“The Workflow Queue is the system queue holding time-dependent workflow actions waiting to execute at their scheduled time. Admins can view pending actions in Setup under Time-Based Workflow and can delete queued actions if needed.”
Worked example
An admin at Brookwell Software opens the Workflow Queue page in Setup to view pending Time-Dependent Workflow Actions. The queue shows 240 actions scheduled to fire over the next 14 days - Case escalations, Lead-aging follow-ups, Renewal reminders. She filters to find any actions tied to a specific Case the team is closing manually, deletes the queued action so it doesn't fire after the Case is resolved. The Workflow Queue is the operational visibility into time-based automation. As the team migrates from Workflow Rules to Flow's Scheduled Paths, the equivalent visibility moves into the Pause and Run Time-Based Flow Actions list.
Why Workflow Queue matters
In Salesforce workflow, the Workflow Queue (also called the Time-Based Workflow Queue) is the system queue that holds time-dependent workflow actions waiting to execute at their scheduled time, viewable by admins in Setup under 'Time-Based Workflow'. Admins can monitor and manage pending time-based actions from this queue.
The workflow queue is an operational tool for admins managing time-based automation. Queued actions can be viewed, searched, and deleted if they're no longer needed. Mature admins check the queue periodically and clean up orphaned entries. As workflow rules are migrated to Flow, the queue becomes less relevant.
How to set up Workflow Queue
Workflow Queue is the older name for Time-Based Workflow Queue and Outbound Messaging Delivery Status — the in-flight queues for legacy Workflow Rules. Most admins know this as Setup → Monitor Workflow Services. Same concept, sometimes shown under different breadcrumbs.
- Open Setup → Monitor Workflow Services (or Workflow Queue)
Setup gear → Quick Find: Workflow → Monitor Workflow Services.
- Review Time-Based Workflow Queue
Pending Time Triggers waiting to fire. Each row: Rule, Record, Scheduled Date.
- For stuck or unwanted entries: select and Delete
Removes from queue. Doesn't fire actions; just cancels.
- Review Outbound Messaging Delivery Status
Pending and recently-failed Outbound Messages.
- Retry failed messages
Select rows → Retry.
- For systemic issues: investigate the underlying rule or endpoint
Many failures point to one rule misconfigured or one endpoint down. Fix the source.
Time-Dependent Workflow Actions waiting.
Failed and pending Outbound Messages.
For batch operations.
- Workflow Queue is a legacy concept. Modern Flow's Wait elements and scheduled paths use a different mechanism — Setup → Paused and Failed Flow Interviews.
- Editing the parent record after a Time Trigger queues may move or remove the queue entry. Salesforce recalculates trigger time on field updates that affect the formula.
- Outbound Messages retry on a backoff schedule. If you keep retrying a perma-failing endpoint, Salesforce eventually drops the message — investigate the endpoint, don't blindly retry.
How organizations use Workflow Queue
Monitors the workflow queue for pending time-based actions.
Cleans up orphaned queue entries periodically.
References the queue during workflow rule troubleshooting.
Test your knowledge
Q1. What is the Workflow Queue?
Q2. Where do you find it?
Q3. Can you delete queued actions?
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