create item for the list From Another Workflow

Question

i created two workflows for the same list. The first workflow starts automatically when creating an item, and the second workflow starts when editing an item, so i want to create an item from the 2nd workflow. Now when I update any item, the second workflow starts and creates a new item in the list. But The first workflow didn't work.

How can the first workflow start in this situation?

Answer 1

The System Account is not allowed to start a workflow. When you create a new list item using a workflow, that new item is created by the System Account. So on any new item created by a workflow, "Start workflow on create" will not work. The workaround is to put "Create new item" inside an impersonation step in the second workflow. This will create the new item under the name of the person who publishes the workflow, and the first workflow will start on the newly created item.

I also like to create a new service account, in Central Admin, and publish the workflow from that account, rather than having items look like they were created by me when they were actually created by a workflow.

1. Place your cursor outside of any steps, then click Impersonation Step in the ribbon.
2. Insert action "Create list item"
3. Click on "Current List" to specific field values for the new item.

Answer 2

Three options;

1. Use 2010 workflows instead of 2013 if the activities you need included in 2010. This is a limitation that applies only to 2013 workflows.

2. Make Create Workflow a 2010 workflow and Change workflow a 2013 workflow and start Create workflow from within Change workflow when required.

3. I think the most elegant solution is to replicate (if practical) Create related activities within Change workflow. When you create the new item, it returns a Created variable allowing you to do pretty much anything you like on the newly created item.

Bit of a balancing act, depending what workflows do, how long they are etc.