---
title: Conversational subflows
description: Run a Workflow Studio subflow from a Now Assist conversation. Create and configure the conversational skill from Workflow Studio.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/conversational-subflows.html
release: australia
product: Workflow Studio
classification: workflow-studio
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-04-02"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Explore subflows, Flows, Flows, subflows, and actions, Workflow Studio, Build workflows]
---

# Conversational subflows

Run a Workflow Studio subflow from a Now Assist conversation. Create and configure the conversational skill from Workflow Studio.

Workflow Studio offers a selection of preconfigured subflows that are available to run from Conversational Interfaces.

## Automatic skill activation

This Platform workflow skill is automatically activated when you install a Now Assist product. For more information about Platform workflow skill activation, see [Generative AI skills in the Platform workflow](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/intelligent-experiences/now-assist-on-now-platform.md).

## User role access

Give personnel an appropriate role to access conversational subflows. See [User roles for conversational subflows and actions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/user-roles-for-conversational-subflows-and-actions.md).

## Making a subflow conversation compatible

To make a subflow conversation compatible, you must perform the following steps.

-   Turn on the subflows and actions skill. See .
-   Give personnel an appropriate role to access conversational subflows. See [User roles for conversational subflows and actions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/user-roles-for-conversational-subflows-and-actions.md).
-   Choose subflow inputs that are compatible with Conversational Interfaces. See [Supported input data types for conversational subflows and actions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/supported-input-data-types-for-conversational-subflows-and-actions.md).
-   Add tooltip hint text to all subflow inputs.
-   Publish the subflow.

## Conversational settings

You can use the conversational settings menu to manage conversational subflows and actions from Workflow Studio. Options include:

-   Toggle off or on the option to make an action or subflow conversational.
-   See the subflow or action skill name.
-   Select one or more assistants that can discover the action or subflow skill.
-   Select one or more roles users must have to access the action or subflow skill.
-   Set the advanced option to make the action or subflow skill discoverable.
-   Set the advanced option to include the action or subflow skill in the list of topics.
-   Set the advanced option to retain the context of previous conversations so that the users can ask follow-up questions, provide additional details, and continue the conversation.
-   Set the advanced option to include error messages from subflows and actions in the conversation.

\[Omitted image "general-settings-conv-sublow-z.png"\] Alt text: Conversational settings for the preconfigured Send SMS subflow.

When you set these options in Workflow Studio, the system also sets the corresponding options in Virtual Agent Designer.

## Supported conversational subflows and actions input data types

Conversational subflows and actions support a limited number of input data types. To be compatible with conversational interfaces, an action or a subflow must only include inputs that use supported data types.

|ServiceNow AI Platform data type name|Workflow Studio data type label|
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|array.string|Array of Strings|
|boolean|True/False|
|calendar|Calendar Date/Time|
|choice|Choice|
|date|Date|
|datetime|Date/Time|
|document\_id|Document ID|
|date\_time|Date/Time|
|due\_date|Due Date|
|email|Email|
|glide\_date|Date|
|glide\_time|Time|
|glide\_date\_time|Date/Time|
|GUID|Sys ID \(GUID\)|
|html|HTML|
|integer|Integer|
|long|Long|
|longint|Long Integer String|
|reference|Reference|
|schedule\_date\_time|Schedule Date/Time|
|string|String|
|string\_full\_utf8|String \(Full UTF-8\)|
|table\_name|Table Name|

**Related topics**  


[Conversational actions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/conversational-actions.md)

[Configure subflow conversational settings](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-studio/configure-subflow-conversation-settings.md)