How to build basic automations on Monday.com

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Monday.com automations allow you to automatically trigger actions based on specific conditions in your boards. You can create automations by accessing the Integrate tab, selecting a trigger event, and defining the resulting action.

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Prerequisites

Active Monday.com account
Access to a board with columns
Basic understanding of Monday.com boards
Admin or member permissions on the board

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Automations Center

Navigate to your Monday.com board and click the Integrate tab at the top of your board. This will open the integrations and automations panel where you can manage all your board automations.

You can also access automations by clicking the lightning bolt icon in the top-right corner of your board.

Choose an Automation Template

In the Integrate panel, click Automations to view available templates. Browse through categories like When date arrives, When status changes, or When item is created. Select a template that matches your workflow needs.

Start with simple automations like status changes before moving to more complex date-based or notification automations.

Configure the Trigger Condition

Click on your chosen template to open the automation builder. In the When section, specify the trigger condition by selecting the appropriate column and value. For example, if using a status change trigger, choose which status column and which specific status will activate the automation.

Set the Automation Action

In the Then section, define what action should occur when the trigger activates. Common actions include changing item status, sending notifications, moving items to groups, or updating column values. Select your desired action and configure the specific parameters.

Test automations with non-critical items first to ensure they work as expected.

Customize Advanced Settings

Click Advanced Settings to add conditions or filters. You can specify which groups the automation applies to, add multiple conditions using AND/OR logic, or set time delays. Configure these options based on your specific workflow requirements.

Use filters to prevent automations from running on specific items or in certain conditions.

Test Your Automation

Before activating, click Test Automation to see a preview of how it will work. Create a test item or modify an existing item to trigger the automation and verify it performs the expected action correctly.

Activate and Name Your Automation

Give your automation a descriptive name in the title field, then click Create Automation to activate it. The automation will now run automatically whenever the trigger conditions are met on your board.

Use clear, descriptive names for automations to make them easier to manage and modify later.

Monitor and Manage Automations

Return to the Integrate tab to view all active automations. You can see automation history, edit existing automations by clicking the pencil icon, or disable automations using the toggle switch. Monitor the Activity Log to track when automations run.

Regularly review your automations to ensure they're still relevant and working correctly as your workflows evolve.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Automation not triggering when expected

Check that the trigger conditions exactly match your board setup. Verify the correct column is selected and the status or value matches exactly. Review any filters or advanced settings that might prevent the automation from running.

Permission denied when creating automations

Ensure you have Admin or Member permissions on the board. Contact your workspace admin to upgrade your permissions or ask them to create the automation for you.

Automation creating duplicate actions

Check if you have multiple similar automations running on the same board. Disable duplicate automations and review your trigger conditions to ensure they're not overlapping.

Email notifications not being sent

Verify that email addresses are correct in your automation settings. Check spam folders and ensure recipients haven't unsubscribed from Monday.com notifications. Test with your own email first to confirm the automation is working.

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