How to reuse parts of Windows Workflows?

Question

I have 2 different WF workflows, which both use an identical piece of logic.

Currently that part is copypasted from one workflow to another.

How can I use a part of a workflow in two different workflows without duplicating it?

Basically, I want to have one "library" workflow, which is used by the 2 "real" workflows.

Answer 1

• Just add a new "Activity Library" project to your solution.
• Create an activity in the library that contains the common part.
• Add a reference to the Activity Library project.
• Build all in release.
• Drop the common activity into your workflows.

Answer 2

You could make a new type of activity which is able to start a workflow definition. So you end up with a workflow definition A, workflow definition B. And within this definitions you can place your custom activity which can execute a new workflow definition C. So A and B points to C. Workflow definition C can be defined as a child workflow of A and B.

I think this link is a good starting point. http://wf.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=How%20do%20I%20invoke%20a%20Child%20Workflow%3f&referringTitle=Microsoft.Activities%20Overview

Answer 3

You can also just make a workflow with the common part and use LoadAndInvokeWorkflow activity to execute it in another workflow.