Code Project

Link Unit

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Multi-Value Columns in SharePoint Designer Workflow

Requirement :

Create a workflow so that any new item created in the list should fire the mail to recipients.

#1 Create a Multi value column in a list

#2 Now on creation of new item attach the workflow to send the mail.

The multi value column is missing in workflow .The SPD suffers from a deficiency in the workflow component ,which doesn't allow you to send e-mail to multiple recipients from a multi-value column of a list using SharePoint Designer 2007 (SPD).

Solution #1

Turn off "Allow multiple selections" for your column (note the warning "This will remove all person values except the first one") . Now you should be able to provide the column as lookup column in workflow.

Change the workflow and then turn "Allow multiple selections" on for your column.

This solution is not acceptable as it removes all the values except first value. So the approach is good till development but once workflow goes to production you won't be able to touch the workflow or list where you would like to turn off "Allow multiple selections"

Solution #2

Create a variable var _employees in workflow

Set the value of variable "_employees" to your "multi value column".

Send the email using the variable "_employees"

The second solution is simple and elegant.


I hope it helps.

No comments: