Problems with Workflows

Question

Hi

I have created a vacation request site on my online SharePoint, based on a department a manager is selected to approve the vacation.

my problem is:

Once a task is assigned to a manager I get the below error:

Retrying last request. Next attempt scheduled in less than one minute. Details of last request: HTTP InternalServerError to https://xxxxxxxxx.sharepoint.com/sites/LR/_api/SP.RelatedItemManager.addSingleLink?SourceListName=xxxxxxxxx

[Personal information removed by MSFT]

The request needs to be approved by multiple managers.

the strange thing is:

once the task is assigned to the first manager I get this error in the workflow status, when the manager approves the task nothing happens till after a couple of days, then a task will be assigned to the second manager for approval

I'm a SharePoint  beginner so I don't know what is going on, I contacted support and they told me that since the workflow is created with SharePoint Designer 2013 it is out of their scope and closed my case.

can someone help me with my problems, I'm starting to give up on SharePoint and O365.

Regards,

Answer 1

Hi Jean,

Glad to hear you can figure it out.

I haven't got the information that the workflow has issue on a customized list. However, if you make use the issue indeed only happens on this customized list, and prefer to run a customized workflow on a customized list, you can post to our SharePoint 2013-using SharePoint designer , InfoPath forum to get further help.

For the new issue "I tried to create an Item using another user but the workflow did not start and it approved the item without any approval cycle", please post a new thread with a screenshot of your workflow, so we can focus on your specific situation.  Meanwhile, you can assign this new user with different permission (full control/Edit/read…) to  check if the permission is related.

Your understanding is highly appreciated.

Sky

Answer 2

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply.

I was finally able to work on this, here is what I did.

I created a new site from scratch, new lists and everything but this time I did not customize my lists.

I created a new workflow using SharePoint Designer 2013.

Using my user I created a new item and everything is working great.

I tried to create an Item using another user but the workflow did not start and it approved the item without any approval cycle, I will try a few more things and get back to you.

But it seems all those errors I used to receive are from the form customization using info-path.

I guess Microsoft doesn't want us to customize any more.

Regards

Answer 3

Hi,

I deactivate and activated the "Workflows can use app permissions" feature, but it didn't affect anything

Once a task is assigned I still get the error.

Regards,

Answer 4

" I contacted support and they told me that since the workflow is created with SharePoint Designer 2013 it is out of their scope and closed my case."

Say what???????????

This is a bizarre way to treat paying customers. Who gives a cr*p how the workflow was created? If the product was made properly, we wouldn't have to deal with issues like this but since it isn't, it's Msft's resonsibility to help. 

The technology underlying workflows is great  - but the user experience is abominable. The set up process is far too arcane and almost seems designed to ensure problems with no ui alerts as to why a workflow doesn't work.

Wake up Msft, stop tinkering with features no one cares about and IMPROVE THE CORE OFFERING!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Hi Jean,

Please firstly try to create an easy send email work flow in the problematic list to see if it works well. Also try to create the same approval workflow to another list to check if the issue is related to the specific list.

Based on your description, I’d like to confirm the following information:

1.Is it a custom workflow that you created with SharePoint Designer or a default SharePoint Online Workflow?

2.Does the workflow involve sending email? If so, please try to following steps in this articleto check the outcome.

3.Capture a screenshot of the list and let us know the type for those columns in it.

4.Please share some detailed steps about how you create the workflow, for example, you may share some related screenshot with us.

Regards

Fraser