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Workflow States

Workflow states help you track the progress of portals through your business process. Each portal can be assigned a state that reflects its current stage.

Workflow Settings

Default Workflow States

All organizations start with standard workflow states:

StatePurpose
NewJust created, not yet started
In ProgressActive work underway
ReviewAwaiting client review or feedback
CompleteWork finished
ArchivedNo longer active

Custom Workflow States

Business & Enterprise

Custom workflow states are available on Business and Enterprise plans.

Create custom states to match your specific workflow:

Creating Custom States

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Click the Preferences tab
  3. Find Workflow States section
  4. Click Add State
  5. Enter state details:
    • State name
    • Color (for visual identification)
    • Description (optional)
  6. Click Save

Example Custom Workflows

Tax Preparation

StateColorDescription
Documents RequestedYellowWaiting for client docs
Documents ReceivedBlueHave docs, not started
In PreparationOrangeActively preparing
Ready for ReviewPurpleClient review needed
E-File PendingTealReady to file
FiledGreenComplete
StateColorDescription
IntakeBlueNew matter, gathering info
ActiveOrangeOngoing work
Awaiting ResponseYellowWaiting on external party
SettlementPurpleNegotiating
ClosedGreenMatter concluded

Real Estate Transaction

StateColorDescription
ListingBlueProperty listed
Under ContractOrangeContract signed
Due DiligenceYellowInspections, etc.
ClosingPurpleFinal steps
SoldGreenTransaction complete

Managing Workflow States

Editing States

  1. Go to SettingsPreferences
  2. Find the workflow state to edit
  3. Click the edit icon
  4. Modify name, color, or description
  5. Save changes

Changes apply to all portals using that state.

Reordering States

Drag and drop states to change their order:

  1. Hover over the drag handle
  2. Drag to the desired position
  3. Release to save

Order affects how states appear in dropdowns.

Deleting States

  1. Find the state to delete
  2. Click the delete icon
  3. Choose what to do with portals in that state:
    • Move to another state
    • Leave unassigned
caution

Deleted states cannot be recovered. Consider archiving or renaming instead.

Assigning States to Portals

When Creating a Portal

  1. In the new portal dialog, select a workflow state
  2. Or leave blank to assign later

Updating Portal State

  1. Open the portal
  2. Find the workflow state indicator (usually in header)
  3. Click to open state dropdown
  4. Select the new state
  5. State updates immediately

Bulk State Changes

  1. On the portals list, select multiple portals
  2. Click Change State in bulk actions
  3. Select the new state
  4. Apply to all selected

Workflow State in Views

Portal Cards

Portal cards display:

  • Current state name
  • State color indicator
  • State icon (if configured)

Filtering by State

On the portals list:

  1. Click Filters
  2. Find Workflow State
  3. Select one or more states
  4. View filtered results

Sorting by State

Sort portals by their current state to group similar work.

Workflow Timeline

Within a portal, view the workflow history:

Workflow Timeline

  1. Open the portal
  2. Find the Activity or Timeline section
  3. See state changes with:
    • Who changed the state
    • When it changed
    • Previous and new state

Portal Sidebar Workflow Display

The current workflow state is also displayed in the portal sidebar:

Portal Sidebar with Workflow

Best Practices

State Design

  • Keep states clear and distinct
  • Use consistent naming conventions
  • Limit to 5-8 states per workflow
  • Order from start to finish

Color Coding

  • Use colors meaningfully
  • Green for complete/positive
  • Yellow for waiting/caution
  • Red for urgent/problem
  • Blue for neutral/in-progress

Transition Rules

Document when to change states:

  • What triggers movement to next state
  • Who is responsible for updates
  • Any required actions before advancing

Team Alignment

  • Train team on state meanings
  • Review states periodically
  • Adjust based on feedback
  • Keep documentation updated

Workflow Reporting

Business & Enterprise

Workflow reporting is available on Business and Enterprise plans.

View workflow analytics:

  • Portals per state
  • Average time in each state
  • State transition patterns
  • Bottleneck identification