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

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich Build workflows

ft:clusterId :

    - crworkflow

bundleId :

    - crworkflow

workflow :

    - Creator


---

# Flows, subflows, and actions reference

# Flows, subflows, and actions reference {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Get details about Workflow Studio flow components like actions, flow logic, and properties.
{#flow-designer-reference__table_qqb_r42_w1c__entry__2}

| Workflow Studio component | Available references |
|-|-|
| Flows | * [Types of flows and when to use them](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Rg_hNdC7Qn2zCIFoYFukbA "A decision matrix and basic definitions help you determine what type of flows to create.") * [Workflow Studio flow trigger types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/REvWcOxKINOupXIJCu2I6Q "Each trigger type defines when a flow starts and the starting data available to it. There are triggers for record operations, dates, and application operations.​") * [Workflow Studio actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9KUfvMX_H382v6jXjkr_3w "Actions can be added to any flow, enabling process analysts to automate ServiceNow AI Platform features without having to write code.") * [Workflow Studio flow logic](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uU2ckfCHXQv35BcFNkEfIQ "Enable flows and subflows to specify conditional or repeated actions. Combine the elements of flow logic to create workflows in a graphical interface with little or no scripting.") * [User preferences for flows](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8NsNyK3CEfFt7oud5HBnQA "Enable or disable user preferences for flow to change options available to Workflow Studio.") {#flow-designer-reference__ul_tz4_cp2_w1c} |
| Subflows | * [Types of flows and when to use them](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Rg_hNdC7Qn2zCIFoYFukbA "A decision matrix and basic definitions help you determine what type of flows to create.") * [Workflow Studio actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9KUfvMX_H382v6jXjkr_3w "Actions can be added to any flow, enabling process analysts to automate ServiceNow AI Platform features without having to write code.") * [Workflow Studio flow logic](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uU2ckfCHXQv35BcFNkEfIQ "Enable flows and subflows to specify conditional or repeated actions. Combine the elements of flow logic to create workflows in a graphical interface with little or no scripting.") * [User preferences for flows](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8NsNyK3CEfFt7oud5HBnQA "Enable or disable user preferences for flow to change options available to Workflow Studio.") {#flow-designer-reference__ul_jxs_3p2_w1c} |
| Actions | * [Workflow Studio input and output data variables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/zHBxIJ1TebZK~3WZEIhfiA "Actions and subflows use variables to store input and output data. The variable data type determines what kind of data it stores and its advanced configuration options.") * [Workflow Studio steps](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WlGHu4~GzcUPX5bu6_7zZQ "A step performs a single operation in an action. You can use Workflow Studio to add steps to a custom action.") * [Supported Service Catalog variable types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/iz9cZuyr_Zd_BDaW09nHGA "Workflow Studio supports several Service Catalog variable types for both single-row and multi-row variable sets.") {#flow-designer-reference__ul_bx3_gp2_w1c} |
| All | * [General guidelines for Workflow Studio flows, subflows, and actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/EjXAgDTxe7rL3i2Xysgm2g "Create, run, troubleshoot, and monitor your Workflow Studio components more effectively. Use these guidelines to optimize the performance of your Workflow Studio components.") * [Transform functions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mm~klSBpsVZizn3GVRT8rw "Transform data pill values without the need to write a script. Use transform functions to reformat text, perform mathematical calculations, sanitize potentially unsafe SQL statements, and serialize complex objects to raw XML.") * [Workflow Studio flow integrations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bXE56F2a4x772WaNSK8_YA "Expand the capabilities of Workflow Studio flows with additional subscriptions and spokes.") * [Workflow Studio flow system properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yBOR_GG2SO7NA_9Y8RQD0Q "Configure how the system processes flows.") {#flow-designer-reference__ul_frf_w42_w1c} |
[Table 1. Available references by component type]

{#flow-designer-reference__table_qqb_r42_w1c}
* **[General guidelines for Workflow Studio flows, subflows, and actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/EjXAgDTxe7rL3i2Xysgm2g)**   
  Create, run, troubleshoot, and monitor your Workflow Studio components more effectively. Use these guidelines to optimize the performance of your Workflow Studio components.
* **[Workflow Studio actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/9KUfvMX_H382v6jXjkr_3w)**   
  Actions can be added to any flow, enabling process analysts to automate ServiceNow AI Platform features without having to write code.
* **[Workflow Studio flow logic](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/uU2ckfCHXQv35BcFNkEfIQ)**   
  Enable flows and subflows to specify conditional or repeated actions. Combine the elements of flow logic to create workflows in a graphical interface with little or no scripting.
* **[Workflow Studio flow integrations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bXE56F2a4x772WaNSK8_YA)**   
  Expand the capabilities of Workflow Studio flows with additional subscriptions and spokes.
* **[Workflow Studio flow system properties](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yBOR_GG2SO7NA_9Y8RQD0Q)**   
  Configure how the system processes flows.
* **[Workflow Studio flow trigger types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/REvWcOxKINOupXIJCu2I6Q)**   
  Each trigger type defines when a flow starts and the starting data available to it. There are triggers for record operations, dates, and application operations.
* **[Workflow Studio input and output data variables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/zHBxIJ1TebZK~3WZEIhfiA)**   
  Actions and subflows use variables to store input and output data. The variable data type determines what kind of data it stores and its advanced configuration options.
* **[Workflow Studio steps](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WlGHu4~GzcUPX5bu6_7zZQ)**   
  A step performs a single operation in an action. You can use Workflow Studio to add steps to a custom action.
* **[User preferences for flows](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8NsNyK3CEfFt7oud5HBnQA)**   
  Enable or disable user preferences for flow to change options available to Workflow Studio.
* **[User roles for conversational subflows and actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/NleNq3PHOXBofkz7ApEluw)**   
  Provide personnel with one or more user roles to grant them access to conversational subflows and actions.
* **[Supported input data types for conversational subflows and actions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/tuNCtd8sSfCp7X0BTrOFOg)**   
  Conversational subflows and actions support a limited number of input data types. To be compatible with conversational interfaces, an action or a subflow must only include inputs that use supported data types.
* **[Supported Service Catalog variable types](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/iz9cZuyr_Zd_BDaW09nHGA)**   
  Workflow Studio supports several Service Catalog variable types for both single-row and multi-row variable sets.
* **[Transform functions](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/mm~klSBpsVZizn3GVRT8rw)**   
  Transform data pill values without the need to write a script. Use transform functions to reformat text, perform mathematical calculations, sanitize potentially unsafe SQL statements, and serialize complex objects to raw XML.
* **[Types of flows and when to use them](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Rg_hNdC7Qn2zCIFoYFukbA)**   
  A decision matrix and basic definitions help you determine what type of flows to create.