--- title: "Define a step as optional" slug: "defining-a-step-as-optional" updated: 2026-10-29T08:55:50Z published: 2026-10-29T08:55:50Z canonical: "support.whatfix.com/defining-a-step-as-optional" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.whatfix.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Define a step as optional Optional steps are included in a Flow to ensure a seamless user experience across different scenarios without breaking the Flow's continuity. These steps are designed to be skipped if the relevant pages, elements, or conditions are not presented to a specific user. The process ensures that the intended Flow remains functional and complete for all users, regardless of their current state or application view. Use the following steps to make a step optional when creating a Flow: 1. Log in to the application where you want to create content, and then launch the **Whatfix Studio**. ![CLM_editor plug in2](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/CLM_editor%20plug%20in%282%29.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 2. Click **Flow**. ![Click Flows ](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Studio_Click_Flows.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 3. In the Studio toolbar, select a capture mode. ![std_toolbar_capture_modes](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/std_toolbar_capture_modes.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) Note: - **Free floating step** is currently Beta. Contact [support@whatfix.com](http://mailto:support@whatfix.com?subject=Enable%20Free-floating%20Flow%20step%20&body=Hi%0A%0AI%20would%20like%20to%20explore%20the%20new%20Free-floating%20Flow%20step%20type.%20Kindly%20enable%20it%20on%20my%20ENT%0A%0AThanks) for more information. - For more information on different capture modes, see [Quick Capture Modes](https://support.whatfix.com/docs/what-are-quick-capture-flows#quick-capture-modes). 1. Click the desired elements on the application page. ![Create_Flow_Leads_Click](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Create_Flow_Leads_Click.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 2. After you have captured the required steps, click **Done**. ![std_toolbar_done1](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/std_toolbar_done%281%29.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 3. Enter the name of the Flow. ![Editor_flow_name6](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Editor_flow_name%286%29.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) Info: - Whatfix enables you to add a Display Name for your end users. Use the Content Name for internal tracking, such as region, role, module, or release codes. Users then see the Display Name in the Self Help, Task List widgets, Hub, Flow Automation Popups and Exports. For more information, see [Add a Display Name to Whatfix Content](https://support.whatfix.com/docs/add-a-dislay-name-to-whatfix-content). ![The image shows the Flow name and the Display Name field while creating a flow on the Studio.](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/FlowDisplayName.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) - To capture additional steps, click **Add Step**. ![Click Add Step](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Click%20Add%20Step.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 1. Review or edit the auto generated text on the step. ![std_review_flow_step](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/std_review_flow_step.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) Info: Enter any additional information that you want to provide in the description section of the tooltip. 1. Under **Configurations** tab, expand the **Additonal Options** section. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/image-5K59C9IW.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 2. To enable optional step, enable the **Make this an optional step** toggle. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/image-MDS0RCPQ.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) 3. In the **Step Timeout Duration (ms)** field, enter the desired value. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/image-4C926D3R.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) Info: When you set a maximum time in the Step Timeout Duration field for Optional Steps, Whatfix waits for the specified duration to see if the end user performs an action before moving to the next step. If the action is not performed within the specified time, Whatfix continues to the next step. By default, Whatfix checks for the next step at regular intervals of 500 milliseconds. For more information on Step Timeout Duration for Flows, see [Set Step Timeout Duration for Flows](/studio/docs/set-step-timeout-duration-for-flows). 1. Click **Save Step** to finish creating the step, and then continue creating the Flow. ![Studio_SaveFlowstep](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/2024-10-18_10-24-13%281%29.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) > [!NOTE] > Info: > > After you save the step, an **Optional** badge appears below the step's preview text in Whatfix Studio and on the Whatfix Dashboard. Use the badge to identify optional steps in a Flow without opening each step. The badge also appears on steps inside branched Flows in the visualization chart. For more information, see [Visualize the Branching in a Flow](/studio/docs/visualize-the-branching-in-a-flow). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/optionalPill_StudioFlow.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-12T07%3A25%3A25Z&se=2026-11-12T08%3A25%3A25Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=WaQGKENio3IP1hmvYMpHupEWQc0hP1xw2%2F6QkL2z%2FkU%3D) ## Related - [Set Step Timeout Duration for Flows](/set-step-timeout-duration-for-flows.md)