---
title: How does workflow status (Draft / Active / Inactive / Deleted) work?
description: "- **Draft**: Workflow is saved but not run automatically by triggers. Use for building and testing. - **Active**: Triggers (incoming message, scheduled) can start this workflow automatically. - **Inactive**: Workflow is paused; triggers do not start it. - **Deleted**: Soft…"
url: "https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/how-does-workflow-status-draft-active-inactive-deleted-work/"
updated: "2026-03-19"
category: WhatsApp Business API / Workflow Builder
---

# How does workflow status (Draft / Active / Inactive / Deleted) work?

- **Draft**: Workflow is saved but not run automatically by triggers. Use for building and testing.
- **Active**: Triggers (incoming message, scheduled) can start this workflow automatically.
- **Inactive**: Workflow is paused; triggers do not start it.
- **Deleted**: Soft delete; row stays in DB but is excluded from lists and duplicate-name checks. Delete from Manage sets status to deleted; the row is not removed from the table.

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