Start Sharepoint workflow "x" days before expiry date

Question

I want to create a workflow on a Sharepoint list and it should send a notification email.

The problem is that I want this workflow based on expiry date(send an email 30 days before the expiry date) and I am not creating or updating any new list items.

I know workflow can only be created if any item are changed/created but I have seen some buzz around on the net that this can be possible using SPD.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

Solution 1

Create a SharePoint Designer (SPD) workflow Select your task list Set it to run on Create Click Next In the Actions section add these three actions: - Add time to date - Pause until date - Send email

My example looks like this after the properties are set:

Add -7 days to Tasks:Due Date (Output to Variable: ReminderDate) then Pause until Variable: Reminder Date then Email this message (you can hard code the address or use the assigned to... )

Notes for this very simple example: - If someone edits the task and sets a new due date, this workflow will still send the reminder based on the old date. - It does not check to see if the Due Date is at least two days in the future.

Ref: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/acb12dd2-d6a5-4b7e-b233-037558bfa2e5/start-workflow-x-days-before-expiry-date?forum=sharepointcustomizationlegacy

Solution 2

The possible work around would be to start a designer workflow when the is created/updated. Within the workflow use 'Pause Until' condition as shown below: Pause until (ExpiryDate-30) Send Email

The 'Pause Until' condition pauses the current workflow instance untill the specified date comes. This is likely to solve your problem. Thanks,

-Aniket Banerjee, Senior SharePoint Developer, Mindfire Solutions