Auto-submit is a folder setting that removes the manual "Submit for approval" step - every document that reaches Ready is submitted automatically by the system.
How auto-submit works
👉 What does auto-submit do?
When it is on, the system submits each document the moment it reaches Ready, with no need to open it or click Submit:
The document moves straight from Ready to Awaiting approval.
It shows Submitted by system in place of a user name.
The audit trail records the submission and attributes it to System.
Routing and validation still run normally - the document is matched to its workflow by its conditions exactly as a manual submission would be.
Turning on auto-submit
👉 How do I turn on auto-submit?
Auto-submit is configured per folder, in the folder's approval settings.
What auto-submit does not change
👉 What does auto-submit not change?
Auto-submit only handles the submission step - everything else runs as normal:
The document is still matched to a workflow using the standard routing rules.
Each stage still requires its assigned approvers to act.
Approvers still Approve or Reject as usual.
A rejected document returns to Ready and is auto-submitted again if the setting is still on.
Frequently Asked Questions
👉 What happens if a document is rejected and auto-submit is on?
The document stays rejected and needs to be submitted for approval manually.
👉 Can auto-submit replace the approval workflow entirely?
No. It only automates the submission step; every auto-submitted document still follows its matched workflow and must be approved by the assigned approvers. To bypass the workflow for specific suppliers, see Auto-approval per supplier. To export approved documents automatically, see Auto-export after approval.