Create Custom Board Buttons for Automation
Learn how to create custom board buttons in Trello that trigger automation rules to streamline board-level tasks and workflows using Butler.
Board buttons in Trello are custom automation triggers that appear at the board level, allowing you to execute complex automation rules with a single click. Unlike card buttons that work on individual cards, board buttons can perform actions across multiple cards, lists, or the entire board simultaneously.
When to Use Board Buttons
Board buttons are ideal for automating repetitive board-level tasks such as:
- Archiving completed cards across multiple lists
- Creating recurring board structures for new projects
- Sorting multiple lists by due date or priority
- Applying labels or assignments to multiple cards at once
- Generating reports or performing board maintenance
Prerequisites
- Board admin or owner permissions
- Butler automation enabled for your workspace
- Basic understanding of automation rules and triggers
Access the Automation Dashboard
To create board buttons, you'll need to access Trello's automation dashboard. You can reach this through the main navigation or directly from any board. For detailed instructions on accessing the automation dashboard, see Access Automation Dashboard.
Creating a Board Button
In the automation dashboard, locate the Board buttons section. This area displays existing board buttons and provides options to create new ones. The interface shows that board buttons allow you to make multiple board actions happen with a single button, which is perfect for complex workflows.
Click on the Create a Board Button option to open the button configuration interface. This screen allows you to define the trigger conditions and actions that will be executed when the button is clicked.
In the button configuration screen, you'll need to set up:
- Button name and description
- Trigger conditions (when the button should be available)
- Actions to perform when clicked
- Target boards or lists for the automation
Review your button configuration to ensure all settings are correct. Once satisfied with the setup, save the button to make it available on your boards. The button will appear in the board interface where authorized users can click it to trigger the automation.
Accessing Board Automation from Any Board
You can also access automation features directly from any board without going through the main automation dashboard:
From any board, click the three-dot menu (OverflowMenuHorizontalIcon) typically located in the board header or toolbar. This menu provides quick access to board-specific settings and features.
From the dropdown menu, click on Automation to access the board-specific automation settings. This provides a direct path to manage automation rules, buttons, and scheduled commands for the current board.
In the automation interface, you can access the same board button creation tools as in the main automation dashboard. This board-specific view allows you to create buttons that are tailored to the current board's workflow and requirements.
Board Button Configuration Options
When creating board buttons, you have several configuration options:
Trigger Conditions
- Always available: Button is always visible and clickable
- Conditional availability: Button appears only when certain board conditions are met
- Permission-based: Button visibility based on user permissions
Action Types
- Card operations: Create, move, archive, or modify multiple cards
- List management: Create, sort, or modify lists
- Board maintenance: Archive completed items, generate reports, clean up old data
- External integrations: Trigger actions in connected apps and services
Start with simple board buttons and gradually add complexity. Test each button thoroughly before deploying to your team to ensure it performs the expected actions without unintended side effects.
Best Practices for Board Buttons
Naming and Organization
- Use clear, action-oriented names like "Archive Completed Tasks" or "Prepare Weekly Report"
- Include brief descriptions explaining what the button does and when to use it
- Group related buttons logically and limit the number of buttons to avoid clutter
Testing and Validation
- Test buttons on a copy of your board before implementing on live boards
- Verify that automation rules don't conflict with each other
- Document the expected behavior and train team members on proper usage
Security and Permissions
- Restrict access to potentially destructive buttons (like mass archiving)
- Use confirmation prompts for actions that cannot be easily undone
- Regularly review and audit board button usage and effectiveness
Board buttons can perform multiple actions simultaneously and may affect many cards at once. Always test thoroughly and consider creating backup copies of important boards before implementing new automation.
Managing and Editing Board Buttons
Once created, board buttons can be managed through the automation dashboard:
- Edit button configuration: Modify triggers, actions, or permissions
- Enable/disable buttons: Temporarily turn off buttons without deleting them
- Copy buttons: Duplicate successful buttons for use on other boards
- View usage statistics: Monitor how often buttons are used and by whom
Integration with Other Automation Features
Board buttons work seamlessly with other Trello automation features:
- Combine with Create Automation Rules with Butler for comprehensive workflow automation
- Use alongside Create Scheduled Automation for time-based and manual triggers
- Complement Create Custom Card Buttons for Automation for different levels of automation granularity
Frequently Asked Questions
The number of board buttons you can create depends on your Trello subscription plan. Free plans have limited automation runs per month, while paid plans offer more generous limits. Check your automation usage in the Butler dashboard to monitor your current consumption.
Board buttons are specific to individual boards, but you can create similar buttons on multiple boards or use Butler's workspace automation features to create cross-board automations. You can also copy successful board buttons to other boards in your workspace.
If a board button encounters an error during execution, Butler will typically show an error message and log the failure. You can review automation logs in the Butler dashboard to troubleshoot issues. Common causes include insufficient permissions, deleted cards or lists, or network connectivity problems.
The ability to undo board button actions depends on what the button does. Some actions like archiving cards can be reversed, while others like deleting data cannot. Always test board buttons thoroughly and consider creating backups before implementing destructive automations.
Conclusion
Board buttons are powerful automation tools that can significantly streamline your Trello workflows by allowing you to execute complex, multi-step processes with a single click. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create effective board buttons that save time and reduce manual work for your team.
Remember to start simple, test thoroughly, and gradually build more sophisticated automations as your team becomes comfortable with the technology. Well-designed board buttons can transform how your team manages projects and maintains boards.
Try creating your first board button with a simple task like archiving completed cards, then expand to more complex workflows as you gain experience with Butler's automation capabilities.
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