Others

SharePoint 2013 Workflow Retirement: Request Sign-Off Alternatives

John Wilson Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know if the SharePoint Request Sign-off feature will continue to work after SharePoint 2013 workflows are retired and what alternative solutions Microsoft recommends.

SharePoint 2013 Workflow Retirement and Request Sign-Off Alternatives

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Planning for the deprecation of legacy SharePoint workflows and identifying modern replacements for approval processes.
Observed behavior: Microsoft is permanently disabling SharePoint 2013 workflow creation and execution for existing tenants starting April 2, 2026.

Before you start

Identify and audit all active SharePoint 2013 workflows currently running in your environment before initiating any migration to a new platform.

Solution 1Recommended

Migrate Workflows to Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft Power Automate is the official recommended replacement platform that includes modern Request Sign-off templates.

To prevent business disruption when SharePoint 2013 workflows are disabled on April 2, 2026, administrators must migrate approval processes to the Microsoft Power Platform. Power Automate natively handles modern Request sign-off operations.

Access Power Automate

Locate the Sign-off Template

Navigate to the Templates section and search for 'Request sign-off' to find the official pre-built approval templates.

Connect to SharePoint

Select the appropriate template, verify your SharePoint connection credentials, and link it to your target document library or list.

Configure the Workflow

Specify the approver email addresses and customize the approval notification message to match your organizational requirements.

Migrate Workflows to Microsoft Power Automate

Migration Deadline: Ensure all legacy workflows are fully migrated and tested well before the April 2, 2026 cutoff date to avoid process failures.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Optimize Your Document Workflows with WPS Office

While you transition your SharePoint workflows to Power Automate, streamline your daily document creation processes. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, offering a familiar interface for seamless migration and team collaboration.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, open the application, and explore the Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation modules.
3. Open Existing Documents: Easily open your existing Microsoft Office files with perfect formatting preservation and start editing immediately.

Completely free and lightweight suite for fast, system-friendly installation.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Familiar user interface ensuring seamless migration with zero learning curve.Built-in PDF editing and seamless cloud collaboration to support modern document workflows.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

When will SharePoint 2013 workflows stop working entirely?

Microsoft will officially disable the creation and execution of all SharePoint 2013 workflows in existing tenants starting April 2, 2026.

What happens to existing active workflows after the retirement date?

Any SharePoint 2013 workflows that are still running or triggered after April 2, 2026, will fail to execute. You must transition to Power Automate before this deadline.

Is the native Request Sign-off feature in SharePoint going away?

The core concept of Request Sign-off remains, but its underlying engine must be shifted to Power Automate. Modern SharePoint lists and libraries already integrate directly with Power Automate to handle these approvals securely.

Office Quick Solutions