Notify in App Block: Push Notifications and In-App Alerts
📄 Notify in App Block: Send Push Notifications to Users Automatically
The Notify in App Block is a workflow step that sends a push notification and in-app alert to selected users. It’s perfect for notifying teams of approvals, rejections, required edits, or completed forms—without relying on email.
🔔 What Is the Notify in App Block?
This block pushes an alert to selected users via:
- Mobile device push notification
- In-app alert in the Ontraccr app
✅ Use this block when you want to grab attention immediately, especially in the field.
🛠 How to Add and Configure It
- Go to Step 3: Workflow
- Drag the Notify in App Block into your workflow canvas
- Connect it to a preceding block (e.g., Submit, Reject, Approve)
- Click the gear icon ⚙️ to configure:
👥 Recipient Options
From the Select Recipients dropdown, choose who should receive the notification:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Form Author | The user who submitted the form |
| Team Supervisor | Auto-detected based on assigned team |
| Users | Notify specific individuals |
| Teams | Notify entire teams |
✅ You can select multiple recipients across types.
💬 Notification Message Options
You can configure the message content (by clicking the gear icon ⚙️) in one of two ways:
🟦 1. Static Message
Type a custom message like:
“A new safety form needs your review.”
➕ Optional Variables:
In static messages, insert dynamic variables like:
- Project name
- Form number
- Form author
- Custom text fields
- Date
- Created Date
🟩 2. Dynamic Field-Based Message
Use the value of a text field from the form as the message:
- Great for relaying custom instructions, rejection notes, or job details
- Example: Select the “Rejection Notes” field as the notification text by selecting the field under ‘Select Field Input as Custom Message’
📱 What It Looks Like
- On Mobile: Push notification appears on lock screen or banner
- In Web or App: Shows under user’s notification center
- Tapping the notification takes the user directly to the form
⚙️ Notification Settings (Must Be Enabled)
For notifications to work:
- Each user must have Push Notifications enabled in:
- Settings → Notifications inside Ontraccr
- Their mobile device settings
🧠 Use Case Examples
| Scenario | Message Source | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Alert PM of a rejected form | Static: “A form was rejected” | Role: Project Manager |
| Notify user with rejection notes | Dynamic: Rejection Notes field | Field-based recipient |
| Notify office that invoice was submitted | Static + Form Number variable | Role: Accounting |
| Alert assigned user for next step | Dynamic: “Next Step Notes” field | Selected user field |
✅ Tips & Best Practices
- 📲 Pair with Rejection, Edit, or Trigger steps to keep workflows moving
- 🧩 Use dynamic messages for personalized alerts
- 🔒 Always confirm users have Push Notifications enabled in device/app settings
- 🔁 Use alongside Email for multi-channel visibility