Triggering sharepointworkflow

Question

Hi all,

i have a sharepoint workflow and it is customised according the to the .cs code in it. However i have a customised webpart with a button which is suppose to trigger the sharepoint. Any idea how this two can be link? or any reference site that i can refer to etc?

Hope to hear from your guys soon.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi Eric,

SharePoint workflows usually associated with an item, that has been changed. So the best practice is to trigger the workflow by changing / creating an item, that will start the workflow based on the workflow registration settings.

If you have to start it directly, I suggest you to read these articles:
Howto Start a Sharepoint Workflow Programmatically
http://www.tonytestasworld.com/post/Howto-Start-a-Sharepoint-Workflow-Programmatically.aspx
How to start workflow programmatically
http://www.sharepointkings.com/2008/09/how-to-start-workflow-programmatically.html
Starting a SharePoint workflow from code
http://www.zimmergren.net/archive/2009/01/25/starting-a-sharepoint-workflow-from-code-event-receiver.aspx

Hope that helps you to solve your issue.

Peter

Answer 2

Hi Peter,


I am not sure exactly how the steps going to work but the workflow is  customised using sequential workflow (Visual Studio) with multiple if-else activity . Using will click on a button from the customised webpart to execute the workflow. Possible to provide a detailed steps in this aspect?

Thank You very much

Answer 3

Hi Eric,

If your workflow is a a SharePoint workflow, then you get the required information in the referenced articles. I don't think I can give you a more detailed description, than you can find in those articles. Create your webpart and the button as a child control, and start the workflow in the onclick event handler of the button, as shown in the articles.

If your workflow is not a SharePoint workflow, you should go with standard Workflow Foundation knowledge. In this case the webpart is only a simple user interface for you. You can find general WF discussions on this forum:
Windows Workflow Foundation
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsworkflowfoundation/threads
for starting WF workflows from ASP.NET
Sample code for calling a workflow from asp.net
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/windowsworkflowfoundation/thread/489ddfa9-a1c3-455c-a934-6f9538967b1d/

Sorry, but I can't (and don't want to) do the job on behalf of you, just can try to help you with general recommendations or if you have exact technical questions, I can give you exact technical answers.

Peter