---
schema_version: "1"
id: 046e5d9976219f08f09460b7cc606a277d10c97cbbcc43443fba6c07f0d80bd5
title: Configure a Scheduled Automation
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/mktg/264-0-0/mc_as_define_a_scheduled_automation.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_as_define_a_scheduled_automation.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 466ec4349e8e37b5adb15802b55f189d26ba16aabc54f4914ecb36eb2b1f602c
description: Set up an automation that runs on a schedule.
products:
  - Marketing
  - Marketing Cloud Engagement
release: "264"
---
# Configure a Scheduled Automation

Set up an automation that runs on a schedule.

1. Click **New Automation**.
2. For the Starting Source, select **Schedule** and drag it to the first position on the canvas.
3. Drag an existing activity onto the canvas or create one.
    
    You can add as many activities to the automation as needed. To view the available activities, click **Choose**. All existing configured activities of that type appear.
    
    - Search by keyword, name, or external key.
    - Sort by columns.
    - To see a summary, click an activity.
4. Save the automation.
5. Click **Configure** to schedule the automation.
    
    To optimize the schedule, enter the start date and click **Use Recommended Time**.
6. If you want to run the automation immediately, click **Run Once**.

If you modify the automation or its activities while running, it’s stopped, and future runs are paused until the changes are saved.