---
sourceDocument: Brazil Build workflows
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/build-workflows

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    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

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workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Explore subflows

# Exploring subflows {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 minutes to read
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## Summary of Exploring Subflows

Subflows in ServiceNow automate repeatable, multi-step processes that produce outputs required by other processes.
Unlike regular flows, subflows do not have triggers and run only when called from playbooks, flows, other subflows, or scripts.
They consist of reusable actions and flow logic, with defined inputs and outputs to facilitate data handling during execution.
Show full answer Show less  
Subflows are ideal for process analysts and developers familiar with ServiceNow AI Platform tables and fields. They enable automation of complex workflows while maintaining clarity and reusability.

## Key Components

* **Subflow Inputs:** Define the data needed to run the subflow with specific names and data types. Callers must provide these input values.
* **Subflow Outputs:** Store data generated during subflow execution, which can be used in subsequent operations within a calling flow.
* **Actions:** Reusable operations that automate platform features without coding, such as creating records. Application-specific actions can be pre-configured for consistency and can be added via spokes.
* **Flow Error Handler:** Enables catching and handling errors during subflow execution, allowing for logging, notifications, and corrective actions.
* **Execution Details:** Provides runtime information about subflow steps, outputs, and errors, accessible from the design environment for troubleshooting.

## Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

* **Efficiency:** Automates repetitive tasks, improving operational efficiency and user experience.
* **Clarity and Usability:** Workflows are described in natural language and visualized as diagrams, making them accessible to non-technical users and aiding builders in understanding process paths.
* **Unified Development:** Enables creation, testing, and management of workflows from a single interface, ensuring reliable automation.
* **Reusable Components:** Encourages sharing and reuse of actions and subflows, reducing development and upgrade costs by minimizing custom scripts.
* **Scalability:** Supports scaling with options for separate subscriptions for integration and Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

## Practical Application for ServiceNow Users

* Process owners, developers, and administrators can build and run subflows on demand to automate complex processes.
* Flow authors can provide input data and leverage subflow outputs to integrate multiple automated workflows seamlessly.
* Action designers and integration owners can create and manage reusable, application-specific actions to standardize automation steps.  
Subflows automate a repeatable multi-step process that also produces an output needed by another process. When a playbook, flow, or script calls a subflow, the subflow runs a sequence of reusable actions and flow logic to complete the process and produce output values.

## Subflows overview {#exploring-subflows__section_b3w_rgk_f1c}

A subflow is an automated process consisting of a sequence of reusable actions and flow logic, data inputs, and outputs. In contrast to flows, subflows do not have a trigger but instead run when called from a playbook,
flow, another subflow, or a script. The inputs describe the data used to run the subflow. The actions perform a sequence of operations on your data. For example, the Change - Implementation tasks subflow creates
an implementation and a post implementation task given a input change record.

Building and managing subflows requires that you have some familiarity with the ServiceNow AI Platform tables and fields that the application or process uses. Process analysts can create subflows using available actions or use an existing subflow as a template. See [Building subflows](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/SZ4BbwJocEsw1DSiG5UWeQ "Workflow Studio is the default ServiceNow AI Platform process automation builder used to create subflows. Workflow Studio replaces the Workflow Editor.").

Subflows consists of the following components.

Subflow Inputs
:   A subflow input stores data used to run the subflow. Each input has a name and a data type. You can define one or more inputs that are available to the subflow. When calling a subflow, flow authors must provide data
    values for the subflow inputs.

Subflow outputs
:   A subflow output stores data generated by a subflow. Each output has a name and a data type. You can define one or more outputs that are available to the subflow. When calling a subflow, flow authors can use subflow
    outputs as data for operations later in the flow. You can use the Assign subflow outputs flow logic to set output values.

Subflow execution details
:   A subflow execution details page allows a flow author to view run-time information about an action or flow directly from the design environment. You can view details such as the current sate, actions or steps run,
    output values generated, and errors produced. See [Flow execution details](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/_c8rn4pM10FtYcR1OH4tZw "View run-time information about an action or flow directly from the design environment, such as the current state, items run, and values produced. Open related records from embedded ServiceNow AI Platform editors or in a new tab.").

Flow error handler
:   A flow error handler enables a subflow to catch and report errors from the subflow execution details. Run a sequence of actions and subflows to identify and correct issues. For example, have subflows log output values,
    send notifications, and run corrective subflows when they produce an error. See [Flow error handler](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XUyfTjDELrrWwfD_ZsSpDA "Enable flows to catch errors. Run a sequence of actions and subflows to identify and correct issues. For example, have flows log output values, send notifications, and run corrective subflows when they produce an error.").

Actions
:   An action is a reusable operation that enables process analysts to automate ServiceNow AI Platform features without having to write code. For example, the Create Record action allows process analysts to generate records in a particular table with particular values when certain conditions occur. ServiceNow core actions like Create Record require some familiarity with ServiceNow AI Platform tables and fields. Action designers can create application-specific actions to pre-set configuration details. For example, creating a Create Incident Task action ensures that the process analyst uses the correct table and field configuration each time the action is used. You can add application-specific actions by activating the associated spoke. See [Workflow Studio actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/j4UlXNk0HLdNsTVksEOwFA "Actions can be added to any flow, enabling process analysts to automate ServiceNow AI Platform features without having to write code.").

For detailed instructions for creating a subflow, see [Create a subflow in Workflow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2oMzMdd1eA3ifWMd4d1h6w "Reuse an entire flow's content as a subflow. Define the input data the subflow uses and the output data it generates. Call subflows from other flows or script.​").

## Subflows benefits {#exploring-subflows__section_f3w_rgk_f1c}

Subflows provide process owners and developers these benefits:

* Automates repetitive work to improve efficiency and experience.
* Describes a workflow in natural language to help non-technical users understand what it does.
* Displays a workflow as a diagram to help builders see available paths and connections.
* Enables creating and testing a workflow from a single interface to ensure it works as expected.
* Promotes process automation by enabling subject matter experts to develop and share reusable actions with flow authors.
* Reduces upgrade costs, with upgrade-safe ServiceNow AI Platform logic replacing complex custom script.
* Reduces development costs by providing a library of reusable actions.
* Scales with separate subscriptions for integration and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) functionality.
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| Benefit | Feature | Users |
|-|-|-|
| Build an automated workflow from an existing library of automated operations. | Subflow | Application developer, process owner, or administrator |
| Run an automated workflow on demand. | Subflow | Application developer, process owner, or administrator |
| Specify the input data that an automated workflow uses to run. | Subflow | Application developer, process owner, or administrator |
| Store one or more outputs as data for use by other automated workflows. | Subflow | Application developer, process owner, or administrator |
| Build an automated operation from an existing library of automated steps. | Action | Application developer, integration owner, or process owner |
| Run an automated operation on demand. | Action | Application developer, integration owner, or process owner |
| Use one or more inputs as data to run an automated operation. | Action | Application developer, integration owner, or process owner |
| Store one or more outputs as data for use by other automated operations. | Action | Application developer, integration owner, or process owner |
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