Microsoft has announced the retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows, effective April 2, 2024, for new tenants and fully retired as of April 2, 2026, for existing tenants. This retirement aligns with our strategy to deliver modern, optimized, and secure solutions through Microsoft 365.
Organizations currently utilizing SharePoint 2013 workflows are encouraged to migrate to modern workflow solutions such as Power Automate or other supported alternatives offered by our ISVs and Partners. It's essential to assess any dependencies on SharePoint 2013 workflows and explore migration options to ensure uninterrupted workflow orchestration beyond April 2, 2026.
SharePoint workflows automate document or item movement within SharePoint, enhancing business processes with automated actions and tasks. While SharePoint Designer and Visual Studio have traditionally been used to author and publish workflows, the evolution of workflow orchestration has led to the introduction of Power Automate. This robust solution connects seamlessly with Microsoft 365 services and third-party platforms, empowering enterprises to build custom workflows tailored to their needs.
Although SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 will continue to support SharePoint 2010- and SharePoint 2013-based workflows until their respective end-of-support dates, the focus remains on transitioning to modern workflow solutions. SharePoint Designer 2013 will no longer support workflow creation and execution against SharePoint Online, emphasizing the shift towards modern alternatives.
While SharePoint Designer 2013 will remain compatible with on-premises SharePoint platforms until July 2026, organizations are encouraged to explore modern workflow solutions to leverage the full potential of their SharePoint environment.
The retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows marks a significant milestone in the evolution of workflow orchestration, signaling a transition towards modern, versatile solutions that drive efficiency and productivity in the digital landscape.
| Date |
Action |
| 2nd April 2024 |
SharePoint 2013 workflows will be deactivated for newly created tenants |
| 2nd April 2026 |
SharePoint 2013 workflows will be eliminated from existing tenants |
Guidance for Taking Action
- Identify all SharePoint 2013 workflows within the tenant, categorized by site collection and site.
- Evaluate the frequency and extent of SharePoint 2013 workflow usage.
- Determine the lists, libraries, and content types that utilize SharePoint 2013 workflows.
- Obtain a Power Automate upgradability score, indicating the feasibility of upgrading the detected actions within SharePoint 2013 workflows to flows with Power Automate.