> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.notionapps.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/notionapps-workflow-how-to-guide.md).

# NotionApps Workflow How-To Guide

Redirect. Full trigger detail (what starts the run, **Where it happens**, and **Target**) is in the [Trigger catalog](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/advanced-reference/trigger-catalog). Full **Add a step** detail (each tile, fields, what users see) is in the [Step catalog](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/advanced-reference/step-catalog). Deep book: [Workflow Foundation User Guide](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/workflow-foundation-user-guide).

In **Build**, every workflow has three trigger fields together:

1. **Trigger** — the kind of event (form save, button, Notion row, schedule, webhook, message).
2. **Where it happens** — Entire app, Screen, Button, Data source, Form, or Record.
3. **Target** — the exact screen, button, or sheet. Entire-app workflows leave this blank.

Then **Add a step**. Each tile is one action. Click the node and fill the inspector. Put Refresh / Show message / Open screen **before** Create, Notify, or Wait when the open tab must update. Typical writes: Create record (new row), Update record (this row), Notify (email), Call webhook and wait (Make, then refresh the same tab).

Typical bindings: form save → Screen + the form screen; one button → Button + that control; new Notion row → Data source + that database; webhook/schedule/manual → Entire app, no target.

#### Live screen updates (read this first if Approve or Make leaves the tab stale)

**Live screen updates** is an ops switch. It is off by default. NotionApps turns it on per app from Workflow Operations → Controls. It is not a builder toggle.

When it is **on**:

* `Update` / `Change status` / `Assign user` → `Refresh` → `Show message` updates the tab the user already has open. Approve-style buttons need no recipe change.
* **Call webhook and wait** POSTs Make, waits for a JSON **Webhook response**, then Refresh / Open screen can run on that same tab.
* Create, Wait, and fire-and-forget Notify stay background-only.

When it is **off**, Refresh after Update cannot update the open tab. That older sentence is still true until the switch is on.

Make that must refresh the open tab: use Call webhook and wait, not Notify webhook. Inbound webhooks Make fires at NotionApps still cannot refresh an already-open tab.

Details: [Step catalog](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/advanced-reference/step-catalog), [Webhooks and Integrations](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/webhooks-and-integrations), [Workflow Foundation User Guide](https://docs.notionapps.com/automation/workflow-foundation-user-guide).