Creating Quick Steps in SharePoint 2013

Quick steps are ribbon buttons that allow you to wire new or existing workflows into a list or library so that you can quickly perform actions on selected items.  If you are familiar with creating Quick Steps in SharePoint 2010, you will not notice much of a difference creating them in SharePoint 2013.

Note that you need SharePoint Designer in order to create a new Quick Step.  SharePoint Designer is a free download from Microsoft.

Here is how to create a new Quick Step to a SharePoint Designer Workflow:

1. Navigate to the library that needs a new Quick Step.
2. In the ribbon, click the Library tab (see Figure 1).

3. In the library ribbon, in the Customize library section, click the New Quick Step button (see Figure 2).

Note: This will open the current site and the current list in SharePoint Designer 2013.It will automatically provide you with the “Add a Button” dialog.

4. In the “Add a Button” dialog, choose Start a new workflow.

Take note of the option Start an existing workflow.

5. In Platform Type, choose SharePoint 2013 Workflow.
6. In Button Label, choose the words that will appear on the ribbon as part of the Quick Step.  This should be brief and descriptive, such as “Assign Tasks.”
7. In Button Image, click Browse to search for an image that will appear on the ribbon as part of the Quick Step (see Figure 3).

Note: Prior to creating a new Quick Step, add an image for ribbon buttons to the Site Assets library in your site.

8. Click OK.
9. A new workflow will then open in SharePoint Designer.  Here, add stages, actions, and transitions as normal for a workflow. 
10. When the workflow is complete, click the Save button.
11. Click the Publish button in the ribbon to complete the new Quick Step process (see Figure 4).