Choose the right Workflow Product

Some versions of Microsoft SharePoint Server include just one workflow platform others — two different platforms. HarePoint offers Workflow Extensions for both Workflow Platforms: 2010 Workflows and 2013 Workflows. To choose the right product, please select the version of Microsoft SharePoint installed on your farm.

Version of SharePoint

Available Workflow Platform

Available Workflow Designer

Compatible products

SharePoint 2010

SharePoint Workflow
Foundation platform
(SharePoint 2010 Workflows)

Microsoft SharePoint Designer

HarePoint Workflow Extensions

SharePoint
2013 — 2019
On-premise

SharePoint Workflow
Foundation platform
(SharePoint 2010 Workflows)

Microsoft SharePoint Designer

HarePoint Workflow Extensions

 

SharePoint Workflow
Manager platform
(SharePoint 2013 Workflows)

Microsoft SharePoint Designer
HarePoint Workflow Designer

HarePoint Workflow
Manager Extensions

SharePoint Online
(O365)

SharePoint Workflow
Foundation platform
(SharePoint 2010 Workflows)

Microsoft SharePoint Designer

Custom actions are not supported,
no products available

 

SharePoint Workflow
Manager platform
(SharePoint 2013 Workflows)

Microsoft SharePoint Designer
HarePoint Workflow Designer

HarePoint Workflow Extensions
for SharePoint Online

In most cases, "old" SharePoint Workflow Foundation Platform ("2010 Workflow Platform", which is supported by all On-Premises versions of SharePoint since SharePoint 2010) allows building necessary workflows with a help of custom actions which are provided by the HarePoint Workflow Extensions product. This workflow platform is available in the SharePoint out-of-the-box and it doesn't require additional configuration, whereas, the "Workflow Manager Platform", introduced in SharePoint 2013 and available in SharePoint 2013-2019 and SharePoint Online (O365), requires separate installation and configuration. Please consult with your SharePoint Farm Administrator to know whether the Workflow Manager platform is installed and configured in your system.

The Workflows for both platforms are created with the help of SharePoint Designer (SPD). SPD 2010 allows the creation of workflows based on "Workflow 2010 platform" only where SPD 2013 gives a choice of the platform to base on:

To simplify the Workflow creation for the "Workflow Manager Platform" (2013 Workflows), we have developed a visual workflow editor — HarePoint Workflow Designer. It is a freeware product which can be used together with HarePoint Workflow Manager Extensions product or on its own.