Is wf_activity reference safe to use?

[Uncle Rob]

So I know that wf_activity on task and sys_approval tables will refer back to the activity that triggered the record.   I also notice that the column is inactive by default.

Is this to keep initiates safe, or is the field functionality being deprecated?

I'd like to know because I plan on building reports and metrics around the activity name of of a task / approval vs its Short Description or assignment group.

[Branden]

Excellent question - I actually use wf_activity quite a bit for it's flexibility in notifications around workflows (when allowed).

I'd be interested at others thoughts.

[ira_t]

Hello,

Using the wf_activity and sysapproval_approver tables, is it possible to create an approval using just a script? I have conditions for multiple approvals which would be best and simplest to implement in a script.

Thanks

Ira

[Mark Stanger · Accepted solution]

I always activate this field as part of a deployment, and have done so for several years.   It's been inactive since it was created as far as I know.   I've never seen any issue with using it and have never heard of it being deprecated in the future.

I like to use it to supply more information on task records about the specific approval step happening.   When you look at a list of approvers on a change for example, you can dot-walk through the 'wf_activity' field and show the name of the approval activity there so people know what each approval is for.

If you're going to use it, I strongly suggest making it read only if it isn't already just so that it doesn't get changed and break the associated workflow.   I'd also recommend you avoid showing the direct link to the workflow activity whenever possible so that people don't accidentally click it and end up at that record wondering what it is.

[Branden]

Mark,

Have you ever seen this field be blank (obviously speaking of children of task or sys approval where wf_activity is valid)?   Whether in notifications or viewing the RITM (or other) form with wf_activity added - consistently blank.

I have and never put thought into why - but being that you seem to use them even more than me I thought maybe you've run into the same thing.   Maybe Subflows within a workflow - in which case I'm not even sure which activity it would show if it were showing up... Does this make sense?

Probably worth a new thread but we're already on the topic of wf_activity - which isn't mentioned much on the community.

Thanks!