Backfill an Email Sequence

Adding new messages to a finished sequence does not automatically resend them to subscribers who have already reached the end. Use the guardrail and backfill workflow below to keep everyone eligible for future content.

Keep the sequence open

• Add a final email to the sequence with a send date far in the future—years ahead works fine.
• The email never sends, but it prevents subscribers from falling out of the sequence so they stay eligible for new steps you add later.

Build a backfill workflow

1. Create a new workflow and save it so the sidebar opens.
2. Add an Event node. Name it something like Backfill Job. You do not need to configure rules.
3. Drag in an Add Sequence action, connect it to the event, and select the sequence you want to repopulate.

This workflow is your one-off backfill tool. It will re-enroll anyone you target back into the sequence without disrupting other automations.

Run the backfill

1. In the command palette, choose Segment → Run.
2. Pick the subscriber or segment that needs the new emails.
3. Select the Backfill Job workflow as the starting event.
4. Click Run to kick off the background job.

Bento processes the queue within a few minutes. Each subscriber resumes at the message they had not yet received—no duplicates, no skipped steps.

Wrap up

Backfilling keeps evergreen sequences fresh after you publish more content. Pair the far-future placeholder email with an on-demand workflow and you can update series whenever new ideas land. Need a hand or want to confirm the run completed? Drop into the Bento Discord and we can review it with you.