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SharePoint Designer 2013 shows empty wfpub library

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    SharePoint Designer 2013

Symptoms

In a Microsoft SharePoint site collection, you can't add a globally reusable workflow (such as "Approval - SharePoint 2010") to a list or library.

Deactivating and then reactivating the site collection feature Workflows doesn't resolve the issue. Additionally, you see that the wfpub library is empty and the wfpub icon may be a regular folder icon instead of a catalog icon when you follow these steps:

  1. Open the root website of the site collection in SharePoint Designer 2013.
  2. Under Site Objects, select All Files > _catalogs > wfpub.
    Screenshot of the wfpub folder under SharePoint site objects.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Open the root website of the site collection in SharePoint Designer 2013.

  2. Under Site Objects, select Workflows.

  3. In the New section of the Workflows ribbon, select Reusable Workflow.

  4. On the Create Reusable Workflow form, enter the name Repair2010. For Platform Type, select SharePoint 2010 Workflow, and then select OK.
    Screenshot of the Create Reusable Workflow form when Workflow name is set to Repair2010 and Platform Type is set to SharePoint 2010 Workflow.

  5. Add a single "Log to history list" action to "Step 1" of the workflow.

    Screenshot shows Log your workflow name to the workflow history list is added under Step 1.

  6. In the Save section of the Workflow ribbon, select Publish.

  7. In the Manage section of the Workflow ribbon, select Publish Globally. In the confirmation dialog box that appears, select OK.

  8. In a web browser, locate the root website of the site collection, and then access **Site Settings **> Site Collection Features. Then, toggle the Workflows feature:

    • If the feature is Activated, click Deactivate. Then, select Activate.
    • If the feature is Deactivated, select Activate.

The issue is now resolved. You can safely remove the Repair2010 workflow from the site collection through SharePoint Designer 2013: Open the site collection in SharePoint Designer, go to Site Objects > Workflows, select Repair2010, and then select Delete.

More information

Still need help? Go to SharePoint Community.