Entry Trigger
The Entry trigger is a server trigger and executes the first time a record enters a state in a workflow. Use the Entry trigger if you want an action or transition to execute only when a record enters a state for the first time. The Entry trigger applies to all actions except the Confirm and Show Message actions and to all transitions.
The actions and transitions that execute on the Entry trigger depend on the server trigger on which the record entered the state. If the record enters the state on a Before Record Load trigger, only actions and transitions that may execute on the Before Record Load trigger will execute. You can control the trigger on which a record enters a state by using the correct trigger on the transition into the state.
For example, a state contains a Send Email action set to execute on the Entry trigger and the record enters the state on the Before Record Load server trigger. However, the Before Record Load trigger is not a valid trigger type for the Send Email action. Consequently, the Send Email action does not execute.
If you use the After Record Submit trigger on the transition into the state, any Send Email action set to trigger on Entry executes, but only the first time the record enters the state. For more information, see Rules and Guidelines for Workflow Triggers and Trigger Execution.
For a list of the valid actions for the Entry trigger, see Workflow Triggers Quick Reference.
Entry Trigger Example
The following state shows actions set to execute on the Entry and the Before Record Load triggers:
![An example of a workflow that includes actions set to execute on the Entry and Before Record Load triggers.](img/SuiteFlowWorkflow/EntryTriggerExample.png)
Trigger Type |
Workflow Layout |
---|---|
Entry |
The Send Email action executes when the record enters the state for the first time. If the record enters the state a second time, the Send Email action does not execute again. |
Before Record Load |
All other actions execute on Before Record Load, or each time the records loads when the record is in the Pending Approval state. |
This state is designed so that after a Travel Request is created, the record enters the Pending Approval state on an After Record Submit, and NetSuite sends the email notifying the supervisor. The email only needs to be sent one time, not multiple times. Consequently, the Send Email action is set to execute on the Entry trigger.
Guidelines for Using the Entry Trigger
Use the following guidelines when using the Entry trigger.
If you want an action or transition to execute every time a record enters a state, use a more specific trigger to identify when the action or transition should execute.