Can't find Approval-Sharepoint workflow 2013 template

Question

I am using Sharepoint 2013 and the Sharepoint Workflow Manager 2013. I want to create a workflow using the Approval-Sharepoint 2013 template. But I can't find it. I've searched on the web for a solution, and many sites recommend going through the steps I outline below, which I did:

At the site collection level I go to Site Settings -> Site collection features

Activate the following: Disposition Approval Workflow Publishing Approval Workflow Workflows

When I go to select a template, this is what I see in the menu (an asterisk indicates a 2010 template):

*Approval - SharePoint 2010 *Collect Feedback - SharePoint 2010 *Collect Signatures - SharePoint 2010 *Disposition Approval *Publishing Approval *Three-state

I see no 2013 templates, particularly the Approval-Sharepoint 2013 template which is what I need.

Some sites I've researched have said there is no Approval-Sharepoint 2013 template, but that would contradict Microsoft's own website ( https://support.office.microsoft.com/en-us/article/All-about-Approval-workflows-078c5a89-821f-44a9-9530-40bb34f9f742?CTT=1&CorrelationId=4744d23f-ce35-4c48-b367-a8c8380dafbe&ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US ) which says:

Select the Approval – SharePoint 2013 template.

NOTE If the Approval – SharePoint 2013 template doesn’t appear in the list, contact your SharePoint administrator to find out about having it activated for your site collection or workspace.

Any clues?

Thanks, George

Answer 1

I ran into the same issue. Everything was in order as per the numerous blog posts I had read and I still couldn't get the SharePoint 2010 Approval workflow. After calling Microsoft I realised that the Approval workflow is only available for the Enterprise version.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/About-the-workflows-included-with-SharePoint-D9C46B8A-9835-4076-B5D3-6412CE4CA0DC?CID=3dcae5e3-f4cc-425d-8fc4-d8b59069578e&SrcID=MOP.CSR

With SharePoint Server 2010, and with SharePoint Online for Office 365 for enterprises, all five of the following workflow types are included. With SharePoint Online for Office 365 for small businesses and professionals, however, only the Three-state workflow type is included.

So first check what version of Sharepoint you have before driving yourself nuts about this workflow.