Workflows in Slack and Teams: Automate Routine Tasks
If you answer the same request every week, a workflow can do it for you. Slack has Workflow Builder and Teams has the Workflows app. Both start from templates, but the way you reach them and the fine print differ. Here is what each help page says.
Miles Crawford
The quick version
Slack describes Workflow Builder as a way to automate everyday tasks and processes, and says anyone except Frontline Members can build a workflow by default. Microsoft describes the Workflows app in Teams as a place to create, find and manage workflows. Both let you start from a template or build from scratch. Slack's page lists the feature as available on paid plans. Microsoft's page notes the Workflows app is part of the public preview program and might change before a public release.
Slack: build a workflow
Slack gives two starting points: a template, or a workflow built from scratch. Steps do the work, and connector steps can act in a third-party service. Those steps need you to authenticate your account with the service, and may need extra approval or configuration. Slack also lists conditional branches and workflow managers, who can help edit and maintain a workflow. Once a workflow is published, its creator and any workflow managers can view its activity, edit or delete it, change who can use it, and download form responses.
Slack: start and find workflows
If a workflow starts with a link, you click the link to use it, and links can be shared anywhere in Slack, including canvases. You can browse link-based workflows in three places: the workflow gallery under Agents & tools in the desktop sidebar (Slack says to look for Automations if you do not see that tab), the Workflows tab in a channel or DM, and search. Scheduled workflows start on their own. Others start on Slack actions such as an emoji reaction, joining a channel or creating a channel. Slack's help page says to ask the person who built a workflow if you are unsure what it does.
Teams: add the Workflows app and create a workflow
In Teams, select View more apps on the left, search for Workflows and select Add. Microsoft says that if you do not see it, your org may not have enabled it. You can also reach it from a chat or channel through More options and then Workflows, from a message through More actions and then Create new action, or from the compose box through Actions and apps. To create one, pick a template from the home page or All templates, follow the prompts and select Save to activate it. To build from scratch, select Build from scratch, choose a trigger and an action, fill in the fields and save.
Teams: manage your workflows
Your workflows on the app home page shows your five most recent. See all opens the full list across Teams, SharePoint, Power Automate and Copilot, and you can switch between the Workflows (standard actions) and AI workflows views. From More actions you can edit, turn a workflow on or off, view its details, or delete it. Deleting asks you to confirm and permanently removes it. To add a co-owner, open the workflow details page, scroll to Owners and add a name.
Which one for what?
Our read: both are fine for a repeated request, a welcome message or a form. Slack's triggers include reactions and channel events, and Teams lets you start from a message or the compose box. The help pages do not compare features, so treat this as our suggestion. If you only need a one-off nudge, see our reminders guide or our scheduled messages guide.
What to be careful about
- Slack Workflow Builder is listed for paid plans. Slack's page says so under who can use the feature.
- Slack connector steps may need approval. Your workspace may require app approval before you can use one.
- The Teams Workflows app was in public preview on the page we checked, so menus and features may change.
- Your org may have the Teams app turned off. Microsoft says to contact your admin if you do not see it.
- Deleting a Teams workflow is permanent. Microsoft says the confirmation removes it for good.
Sources
Checked October 22, 2026. Steps and limits follow each product's own help articles. The comparison is our suggestion.