‘Request sign-off’ for SharePoint Users Just Released!

SharePoint have just announced a new feature called ‘request sign off’!

The new feature is now available for all SharePoint sites in production. Microsoft’s idea behind this is that its an easy way to send an item for approval to someone else. This is a approval process that allows users to easily record whether or not a document list item for approval to someone else, additionally no set up is required!

The request sign off feature makes use of SharePoint’s integration with Microsoft Flow. It can be use it by selecting a file or list item and then selecting the ‘flow’ menu in the library, then simply select ‘Request sign-off’. The flow will appear alongside any other custom flow that a user has added to the library. Once it is selected Request sign-off will create a new test column in the library called ‘Sign-off status’. This column will record the state of the request, it works the same as a normal test column which you can sort and filter or group by it to organise the library. Once this is activated it will tell you that it will send an approval request on the users behalf and ask for consent. Once provided you can pick one or more approvers and write them a message for the users approval request. If multiple people are asked to approve then any one of them can approve the request. When the run a flow button is selected the request is sent and the sign off column shows pending.  The person you send the approval to will receive an approval request. This is an actionable message on clients that support it.

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