If an attribute is defined when the user accesses an object that is the subject of a workflow, the application checks the workflow for a step that is active, (i.e., in the inbox or accepted), for the current user. If the workflow step is not yet accepted, the display layout appears with the section named in the View Attribute of the step selected, (or the default section if no View Attribute was defined). If the user chooses to edit the object at this time, the edit screen checks to see if an Edit Attribute is defined, and if so, it displays only the named edit layout section named, otherwise if no attribute is defined, the default edit screen is used. If the user opens an object that is subject to a workflow step that has been accepted, ALIM Web checks to see if an Edit Attribute is defined and if one is it automatically opens the object in Edit mode instead of View mode. In addition, the layout section defined in the attribute is automatically selected, and the other layout sections are hidden.

The display redirection occurs if the user arrives at the subject object by any means (for example, from the Explorer, a link, a search, and so on) unless the user is in edit mode and leaves the object by clicking any of the exit buttons, (for example, Save & close, and Cancel) the user is taken to the View mode instead of the edit redirection being performed, in order to avoid an endless loop.

If a layout section name is specified that is not selectable, the default View or Edit screen is used, and an error message appears.