What happens if a scheduled action is set for a time when a record exits the workflow?

When a scheduled action is set for a time when a record exits the workflow, the action is discarded. This is because scheduled actions in workflows are context-sensitive and depend on the record's presence within the workflow. If the record has transitioned to a different state or exited the workflow entirely by the time the scheduled action is supposed to execute, it can no longer be executed as the conditions that originally allowed for it may no longer be valid.

The underlying principle is that workflows are designed to operate within specific conditions and states. If a record has moved on from that specific workflow path, it makes sense that any pending scheduled actions would not execute, as they would not align with the current status of the record. This ensures that actions remain relevant and applicable to the current workflow state, maintaining the integrity of the process.