Initial submission actions
Key Takeaway
Initial submission actions run at first submission, not when an approver responds. Record Lock is the default action, and you can add others.
Initial submission actions are the automated actions a classic approval process runs when a user first submits a record for approval. By default, the only initial submission action is Record Lock, which stops other users from changing the record while it waits for approval. Admins can add more actions, such as a field update that sets an approval status to Pending or an email alert.
When initial submission actions run
A classic approval process sorts its automated actions into groups based on when they run. Initial Submission is the first group. Its actions run at submission, not when an approver responds.
If you want an action to run when a single step is approved or rejected...
Click "Show Actions" in the Approval Steps section, and add it to that step's Approval, Rejection, or Recall Actions.
If you want an action to run when a record is approved and no approval steps remain...
Add it to the final approval actions, because they run only in that situation.