We're excited to announce an expanded trigger library coming soon to Box Automate, bringing folder-level events, classification-based triggers, and sub-folder support to unlock powerful new enterprise workflows.
What's New
There are four updates to Box Automate triggers:
- Metadata Event with conditions - File Type
- Metadata Event with conditions - Folder Type
- File Event - Classification Applied Type
- Folder Event - Classification Applied Type
The Metadata Event Triggers will also have the ability to cascade these triggers across entire folder hierarchies (i.e. apply to all subfolders), giving enterprise teams precise, event-level control over when and how workflows execute.
Updated Triggers
Metadata Event Trigger
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Metadata Event - File Type. This trigger has now been updated to fires when metadata is created or updated on a file. Workflow builders can add filter conditions directly on the trigger, scoped to specific metadata template fields, so only the events that match your criteria start a workflow. Supports conditions on string and number field types, with operators including equals, not equals, is empty, and is not empty.
- Note that the “Apply workflow to all-sub-folders” option is available.
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Metadata Event - Folder Type. This trigger has been updated to not just fire when a metadata template has been applied, but to now allow workflow builders to add filter conditions directly on the trigger, scoped to specific metadata template fields, so only the events that match your criteria start a workflow. Supports conditions on string and number field types, with operators including equals, not equals, is empty, and is not empty. Enables governance and compliance workflows that act on folder-level policy changes, not just individual files.
- Note that the “Apply workflow to all-sub-folders” option is available.
File Event Trigger
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File Event - Classification Applied. Fires when a classification label is applied or changed on a file. Supports value conditions (equals, not equals, is empty, is not empty) on the classification value field, so workflows trigger only when the right label is set. For example, when a file is upgraded to "Restricted" or "Confidential."
- Note that the “Apply workflow to all-sub-folders” option is available.
Folder Event Trigger
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Folder Event - Classification Applied. Fires when a classification label is applied or changed on a folder. Supports value conditions (equals, not equals, is empty, is not empty) on the classification value field, so workflows trigger only when the right label is set. For example, when a file is upgraded to "Restricted" or "Confidential."
- Note that the “Apply workflow to all-sub-folders” option is available.
Why This Matters
For enterprise compliance and governance teams: Folder-level classification and metadata triggers unlock workflows that act on folder-level policy changes, not just individual files.
For teams managing deep folder hierarchies: Sub-folder support means a single trigger configuration covers an entire folder tree. No more manually replicating trigger setups across dozens of subfolders. This will only be available with the metadata trigger for now with plans to expand it to other trigger types.
Top use cases unlocked:
- Trigger approval flows when a user downgrades a classification label
- Launch governance workflows when specific metadata values are set on a folder
- Remove external collaborators automatically when a file is upgraded to a sensitive classification
- Drive retention and compliance actions across entire folder hierarchies with a single workflow
Availability
These updated triggers will be available for Business plans and above depending on your specific plan.
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