19 · flow
Call another n8n workflow like a function — reuse shared logic.
When to use it
You copied the same 5 nodes into three workflows. Extract once, Execute Workflow from parents.
Writeup
Call another n8n workflow like a function — reuse shared logic. You copied the same 5 nodes into three workflows. Extract once, Execute Workflow from parents.
Step by step — how to wire it
01
Build the child
e.g. Format + Slack alert as its own Active workflow.
02
Expose a trigger
Use Execute Workflow Trigger so parents can call it.
03
Call from parent
Parent → Execute Workflow → select child → map input fields.
04
Test both ways
Run child alone, then parent — confirm data round-trips.
How it functions
Source workflow
Child workflow starts with Execute Workflow Trigger (or Wait for call, depending on version).
Parent call
Execute Workflow node picks the child and passes items/fields.
Used for
Used for 1
Shared Slack formatter used by many flows
Used for 2
Common enrich subroutine
Used for 3
Keeping canvases small and testable
Tips
Version child contracts carefully — many parents break when you rename fields.
Don’t hide critical business rules only in children without docs.