Replace SharePoint Approval Workflow with Flow

[Anonymous]

We have a SharePoint Approval Workflow where projects get approved by; department, IT, QA, and a final IT approval.  I have it mostly written in Flow then I read something about Flows only run for 30 days?  Is Flow not suited for my task?  What happens if the Flow fails, will i be able to restart it at a certain step?  Thanks

[Anonymous]

I suppose I could have 2 flows.  The first flow on the SharePoint Project List that when a new item is created I create a new SharePoint Task List item.  The second flow on the SharePoint Task List that when a item is created/updated it sends an approval request to the right person.  

[Expiscornovus]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Serge Luca has written some nice blog posts about how to handle this 30 day limit with a Flow controller:

https://sergeluca.wordpress.com/2018/11/26/new-flow-state-machine-pattern-with-unlimited-running-time-the-controller-flow/

Hope this helps.

[v-yamao-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Please check the doc on limits and configuration in MS Flow:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/flow/limits-and-config

Run duration and Storage retention limits are 30 days.

I have flows that were created at least half a year ago, they are still running when they are triggered. The issue is that only run histories within in 30 days could be checked.

Besides, approval timed out limit is 30 days, however, PGs are planning to make it possible to span as much time as you want for the approval process. Here is one of the similar requests on Flow Ideas Forum:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/Increase-approval-timeout-to-more-than-30-days/idi-p/72202

Further, when the flow run failed, you could troubleshoot the flow at certain steps, a doc on Troubleshooting a flow for your reference:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/flow/fix-flow-failures

You could also reach to us whenever you have issues when working with Flow, we are always ready to help.

Best regards,

Mabel