---
title: "Pausing a Flow with Delay Next Step"
slug: "pausing-a-flow-with-delay-next-step"
updated: 2026-05-15T20:32:16Z
published: 2026-05-15T20:32:16Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/pausing-a-flow-with-delay-next-step"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pausing a Flow with Delay Next Step

## Overview

In instances where users may need to pause a **Flow** for a short, defined, period of time to allow a loop to continue, or to do so without changing user context, users may utilize a **Delay** **Next** **Step**. This step is similar to the [Pause Flow](/step-library/docs/pause-flow-step) step in that it can be used to pause a Flow but differs in that it specifically deals with an individual step, rather than the entire Flow itself. The following document demonstrates how to configure and implement Delay Next Step in a Flow.

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## Example

About the Example For the purpose of demonstration, the following **Flow** uses a **Fetch** **Entities** step to obtain all the **Accounts** in the Decisions environment. These Account values are then iterated through using a **ForEach** **Step**, where they are then sent to an **Add Item to List Step**.  
  
After each **Item** has been added to the **List**, the Flow proceeds to the **Done** path of the ForEach Step, where it will wait before sending an **Email** with a List of each Account. 

To use a Delay Next Step:

1. From the **Flow** **Designer**, navigate to **Toolbox > FLOW MANAGEMENT**.
2. Attach a **Delay** **Next** **Step** to the **Outcome** path of the step before that will be delayed.
3. Navigate to the **Properties** of the Delay Next Step; under **[SETTINGS] > NumberOfSeconds**, provide a numerical value for the desired number of **Seconds** that the **Flow** will wait on before resuming.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1778783903028.png)
4. **Save** the Flow, then select the **Debug** link.
5. Ensure that the Delay Next Step waits the defined amount of time before continuing and completing the Flow as expected. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1778784054510.png)