This article explains how to edit existing approval processes and what happens to open or confirmed approval requests when you do.
Before you edit an approval process
See below for the implications of updating an approval process, or any edits made to open or confirmed approval requests.
| Scenario | Behavior |
| A request is changed before the first approver actions it | The request automatically updates, and appears as a task for the first approver. |
| A request is deleted before the first approver actions it | The request is automatically removed from the designated approver's inbox. |
| A request involved in a multistep approval process is changed after some designated approvers have already actioned it | All designated approvers must action the request again. The previous task disappears automatically. |
| A fully approved request is changed | The original request is no longer valid. Any changes previously applied to the requester's data are reverted, and a new task appears for all approvers. |
| An approval process is changed in the settings | Open requests are automatically redirected to new approvers. Requests with approvers other than those specified under the previous rules will trigger new requests for them. If there is no approver set for an employee, the request is auto-approved. |
| An approval process is deleted | When you delete an approval process, any employees who were previously subject to the approval steps will have their Propose access converted to edit access. They can edit the data without review. |
Edit an existing approval process
Administrators can edit existing approval processes by following these steps:
- Go to Settings > Automations > Approvals.
- Select the tab containing the process you want to edit.
- Make the necessary edits to the approval process.
- Use the dropdown menus to change the designated approvers or roles.
- Click the X icon next to a step to delete it.
- Click + Add approval step to include another step.
- Include a time off certificate request or create a custom approval process via employee filters and rulesets.
- Click Save.
The approval process updates immediately. See the implications of changing an approval process above.
Create or delete an approval process
To create an approval process, see set up default approval processes or set up custom approval processes. To delete an existing approval process, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Automations > Approvals.
- Select the tab containing the process you want to delete.
- Under the relevant approval process, click the X icon next to each approval step.
- Click Save.
See the implications of changing an approval process above.
Delegate an approval
Administrators can delegate approvals to another user for time-sensitive requests like working hours or time off.
- Delegate approvals option: if enabled, when the primary approver is absent, the task automatically redirects to their Supervisor. See how to delegate approvals.
- Create a temporary approver: to delegate approval tasks to someone other than the primary approver's supervisor. See create a temporary approver.
In urgent cases, admins can manually approve requests.