End of Life for SharePoint Workflows
Beginning April 2, 2024, SharePoint 2013 workflow will be disabled for new tenants, with its complete removal scheduled for April 2, 2026. This transition…
Beginning April 2, 2024, SharePoint 2013 workflow will be disabled for new tenants, with its complete removal scheduled for April 2, 2026. This transition marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s evolution toward offering more efficient and comprehensive workflow solutions. With the phasing out of SharePoint 2013 workflows, Microsoft intends to better serve its customers by encouraging the use of modern workflow orchestration tools such as Power Automate and other supported solutions provided by independent software vendors (ISVs) and partners.
Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| April 2, 2024 | SharePoint 2013 workflows will be turned off for any newly created tenants. |
| April 2, 2026 | SharePoint 2013 workflow will be removed from existing tenants. |
Understanding SharePoint 2013 workflows
In the context of SharePoint, workflows automate the movement of documents or items through predefined sequences of actions or tasks tailored to specific business processes. SharePoint Designer is commonly used by organizations to create and publish workflows, while professional developers use Visual Studio for more extensive workflow customization. Over time, SharePoint 2013 workflows have been widely used by companies and ISPs as an orchestration platform for various business processes.
Transition to modern workflow solutions
Microsoft’s move from SharePoint 2013 workflows to more modern alternatives reflects the company’s commitment to delivering improved workflow orchestration capabilities. Power Automate, Microsoft’s flagship workflow orchestration tool, offers seamless integration with Microsoft 365 services and a wide range of third-party applications, enabling businesses to create custom workflows tailored to their unique requirements. What’s more, Microsoft encourages the exploration of third-party solutions using SharePoint’s open API platform for direct SharePoint data orchestration.
Continued support and migration guidance
While SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 continue to support SharePoint 2010 and SharePoint 2013 workflows until their support end date, Microsoft recommends migrating to modern workflow solutions for optimal performance and functionality. To facilitate this transition, Microsoft offers comprehensive migration guidance and tools, such as the Microsoft 365 Assessment tool. This tool enables organizations to assess the use of SharePoint 2013 workflows, evaluate migration options and plan migration strategies with minimal disruption.
Taking action
For organizations currently using SharePoint 2013 workflows, Microsoft recommends taking proactive steps to ensure a smooth transition. Administrators are encouraged to use the Microsoft 365 Assessment tool to assess workflow usage, plan migration strategies and use Power Automate or other compatible solutions. In addition, administrators should disable the creation of new SharePoint 2013 workflows to align with Microsoft’s phase-out schedule and encourage the adoption of modern workflow solutions.
Assistance and resources
Microsoft remains committed to helping organizations throughout the migration process, offering support services, partner programs and comprehensive documentation. Whether it’s Microsoft solution providers, Power Automate partners or SharePoint Assessment tool support tickets, organizations can access the resources they need to successfully navigate the transition.
Summary
Microsoft’s decision to retire SharePoint 2013 workflows underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in an ever-evolving digital landscape. By encouraging the deployment of modern workflow solutions, Microsoft is enabling organizations to streamline processes, increase productivity and unlock new opportunities in their digital transformation journey. As companies embrace this transformation, Microsoft stands ready to support and guide them toward a future of unparalleled efficiency and flexibility in workflow orchestration.
At the same time, we encourage all interested parties to take advantage of our support services during the migration. KTBNET has extensive experience in leading migrations and customizing IT solutions. Our team of experts is ready to support you at every stage of the migration process, providing full technical and consulting support.
To learn more about our services and get help with your migration, feel free to contact us through KTBNET’s website. We are at your service and ready to help you achieve success in the migration process.
Assessment tool:
Onpremise SharePoint Server: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointmigration/overview-of-the-sharepoint-migration-assessment-tool