Creating Workloads
This page explains how to create and configure workloads in Simple Agent Designer.
Creating a New Workload
From the Workload List
- Open the Workload List (from the Role Center, choose Workloads under the Work section)
- Choose New Workload from the action bar
- A new workload is created with the next available index number
- The Workload Card opens automatically
Using the New Work Wizard
The New Work Wizard provides a guided, step-by-step process for creating and running a workload. You can open it from:
- The Agent Based Accounting Role Center → New Work
- The Ad Hoc Agent page → New Work
Step 1 — Choose Your Input
Select how you want to provide work to the agent:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| I have a file | You will upload a file (Excel, PDF, CSV, image) for the agent to process |
| Let me write a description | You will type a text description of the work |
Step 2 — Provide the Content
- If you chose I have a file: click Upload File to select a file from your computer. The filename appears in the Current File field after upload. Supported formats include Excel, PDF, CSV, and images.
- If you chose Let me write a description: type your task description in the text field.
Step 3 — Select Work Type and Execution
- Choose a Workload Type from the dropdown — this determines which agent processes the work and how
- Choose how to run the work:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Run while I'm wait | Processes immediately and opens the workload card with results when done |
| Run in background | Starts processing in a background session so you can continue working |
Click Next to create and run the workload.
The wizard creates the workload, assigns it to the selected type, and either processes it immediately or starts a background session.
The Workload Card
The Workload Card is where you define and manage individual workloads.
General Section
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | Select a Workload Type from the dropdown — this determines which agent processes the workload and how |
| Id | Auto-generated unique identifier (hidden by default) |
| Child Workload | A Yes/No indicator (captioned Child Workload) that shows whether this workload has a parent. It appears only for child workloads; drill down on it to open the parent workload. |
| Child Workloads | Count of child workloads (click to drill down to children) |
| Workload Date | Timestamp when the workload was created |
Title Section
The title is a single-line summary of the workload. It is automatically set from the first line of the task description when you save.
Task Description Section
The task description is the main content of your workload — the instructions the AI agent receives. It uses a code editor control for rich text editing.
Writing the Description:
- Click in the code editor area
- Type your task description
- The first line becomes the workload title
- Use as much detail as the agent needs to complete the task
Example Descriptions:
Simple analysis:
Analyze the attached invoice and extract vendor, amount, and date.
Categorize the expense and suggest the appropriate GL account.Structured task:
Create a purchase order for the following items from vendor Contoso Ltd:
- 100 units of Widget A at $5.00 each
- 50 units of Widget B at $12.50 each
- Delivery requested by March 15, 2026
Apply standard payment terms.Data-driven task (for table splitter workloads):
Review this customer record and check for:
1. Missing contact information
2. Credit limit appropriateness based on order history
3. Outdated payment terms
Provide recommendations for any updates needed.Saving the Description:
- Choose Save from the action bar, or
- The description is automatically saved when you close the card (with a confirmation prompt if there are unsaved changes)
Additional Information Section
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional Data Name | Filename of the attached file (read-only) |
| Additional Data Setting | Additional metadata (e.g., Excel sheet name) |
| Additional Data | Shows whether a file is attached (Has Value indicator) |
| Email Recepients | Email addresses (separated by ; or ,) that the agent is allowed to send email to. When set, it enables the agent's send_email_notification tool, which emails these recipients. This requires a Business Central Email Account to be configured. Note: the field is spelled Email Recepients in the UI. |
Attaching Files
To attach a file to the workload:
- Choose Upload File from the action bar
- Select a file from your computer (Excel, PDF, image, etc.)
- The file is stored in the workload's Additional Data blob field
- The original filename appears in the Additional Data Name field
To download an attached file:
- Choose Download File from the action bar
- The file downloads with its original filename
Status Section
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Processed Status | Current state: Not Started, Started, Success, or Fail |
| Processed Result | Summary text from the agent (multi-line, read-only) |
| Processed By | Agent ID of the agent that processed the workload |
| Processed At | Timestamp of when processing completed |
These fields are automatically populated during and after processing.
Workload Fields Reference
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Id | GUID | Unique identifier (auto-generated) |
| ParentId | GUID | Parent workload for hierarchical relationships (surfaced on the card as the Child Workload Yes/No indicator) |
| Type | Code[20] | References a Workload Type |
| Title | Text[200] | Summary from first line of description |
| Index | Integer | Processing order |
| Task Description (WorkloadDescription) | Blob | Full task description |
| Additional Data | Blob | Attached file content |
| Additional Data Name | Text[100] | Original filename |
| Additional Data Setting (AdditionalSetting) | Text[100] | Extra metadata |
| Email Recepients | Text[500] | Allowed email recipients for the send_email_notification tool |
| Workload Date | DateTime | Creation timestamp |
| TableNo | Integer | Table ID for data-based workloads |
| FilterString | Text[2000] | Applied BC filters |
| DataContext | GUID | SystemId of related data record |
| ProcessedStatus | Option | Not Started / Started / Success / Fail |
| ProcessedBy | Code[20] | Agent that processed it |
| ProcessedAt | DateTime | Completion timestamp |
| ProcessedResult | Text[2048] | Result summary |
Managing Workloads
Editing a Workload
Open the workload card and modify the description or attached file. You cannot edit a workload that has already been processed without reprocessing it.
Reprocessing a Workload
If you process a workload that has already been processed:
- The system asks for confirmation
- The status is reset
- Previous process activity is retained for reference
- The workload is processed again from scratch
Deleting a Workload
Select a workload in the list and delete it. Deleting a workload also removes:
- All process activity records
- All workload links (document references)
- All child workloads (for parent workloads)
Bulk Operations
From the Workload List:
- Process All — processes all workloads with status "Not Started" in sequence, committing after each one
Tips and Best Practices
- Write clear, specific descriptions — the AI agent has no context beyond what you provide
- For complex tasks, break them into numbered steps
- Include the expected output format in your description when it matters
- Use workload types to avoid repeating common instructions in every description
- Attach reference files (invoices, spreadsheets) using the Upload File action
- Review processed results before relying on agent output — especially when agents create documents
- Use descriptive first lines since they become the workload title in the list view