Flow Elements are the building blocks used to create automated business processes in Salesforce Flow Builder. They are categorized into three main types: Screen Elements, Logic Elements, and Data Elements.
**Screen Elements** allow you to build user interfaces within your flow. The Screen element …Flow Elements are the building blocks used to create automated business processes in Salesforce Flow Builder. They are categorized into three main types: Screen Elements, Logic Elements, and Data Elements.
**Screen Elements** allow you to build user interfaces within your flow. The Screen element displays information to users and collects input through various components like text fields, checkboxes, picklists, and display text. These create interactive experiences where users can provide data or make selections.
**Logic Elements** control how your flow executes and makes decisions. Key logic elements include:
- **Decision**: Evaluates conditions and routes the flow down different paths based on outcomes
- **Assignment**: Sets or modifies variable values during flow execution
- **Loop**: Iterates through a collection of records or values, performing actions on each item
- **Collection Filter**: Filters records in a collection based on specified criteria
- **Collection Sort**: Arranges collection items in a particular order
**Data Elements** interact with your Salesforce database:
- **Get Records**: Retrieves records from Salesforce objects based on filter criteria
- **Create Records**: Inserts new records into the database
- **Update Records**: Modifies existing record field values
- **Delete Records**: Removes records from the database
**Action Elements** extend flow capabilities by calling various actions:
- **Core Actions**: Include sending emails, posting to Chatter, and submitting records for approval
- **Apex Actions**: Execute custom Apex code
- **Subflows**: Call other flows as reusable components
When building flows, administrators drag these elements onto the canvas and connect them to define the process sequence. Each element can be configured with specific parameters, and variables store data that passes between elements. Understanding these elements enables administrators to automate complex business processes, reduce manual work, and ensure consistent execution of organizational procedures across the platform.
Flow Elements: Complete Guide for Salesforce Administrator Exam
Why Flow Elements Are Important
Flow Elements are the fundamental building blocks of Salesforce Flow, one of the most powerful automation tools available on the platform. As a Salesforce Administrator, understanding Flow Elements is essential because they enable you to create sophisticated business process automation that can handle complex logic, interact with data, and guide users through multi-step processes. The Salesforce Administrator exam heavily tests your knowledge of Flow Elements, as automation is a core competency expected of certified administrators.
What Are Flow Elements?
Flow Elements are the individual components you add to a flow to define what the flow does. They fall into three main categories:
1. Screen Elements These display information to users and collect user input. Screen elements allow you to create interactive experiences with components like text inputs, picklists, checkboxes, radio buttons, and display text.
2. Logic Elements These control how the flow progresses: - Decision: Creates branching paths based on conditions (similar to if/then statements) - Assignment: Sets or modifies variable values - Loop: Iterates through a collection of records one at a time - Collection Sort: Orders records in a collection - Collection Filter: Filters records based on criteria
3. Data Elements These interact with the Salesforce database: - Get Records: Retrieves records from the database - Create Records: Inserts new records - Update Records: Modifies existing records - Delete Records: Removes records from the database
4. Action Elements These perform additional operations: - Actions: Call invocable actions, quick actions, or Apex - Subflow: Runs another flow as part of the current flow - Send Email: Sends email notifications
How Flow Elements Work
Flow Elements work together in a connected sequence. You start with a Start Element that defines how the flow triggers (schedule, record change, button click, etc.). From there, elements connect via connectors that determine the path of execution.
When a flow runs, it processes elements in order, following the connector paths. Decision elements create branches where different paths execute based on whether conditions evaluate to true or false. Loops allow repeated processing of multiple records. Variables store data temporarily during flow execution and can pass information between elements.
Data elements perform DML operations on the database. Best practice recommends bulkifying these operations by using collection variables rather than performing database operations inside loops.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Flow Elements
Key Concepts to Remember:
1. Know the element categories: Be able to identify whether an element is for screens, logic, or data manipulation.
2. Decision vs Assignment: Decision elements create branching paths based on conditions. Assignment elements change variable values. These are frequently confused in exam questions.
3. Loop behavior: Understand that loops process collection items one at a time. The loop variable represents the current item in each iteration.
4. Get Records returns: Know that Get Records can return a single record or a collection, depending on configuration.
5. Bulkification: Place data elements outside of loops when possible. Exam questions often test your understanding of efficient flow design.
6. Subflows: Understand when to use subflows for reusability and to simplify complex processes.
Common Exam Scenarios:
- Questions asking which element to use for a specific business requirement - Scenarios testing your knowledge of decision element outcomes (true path vs default path) - Questions about proper loop usage and when to use collection variables - Identifying the correct data element for create, read, update, or delete operations
Strategy Tips:
- Read questions carefully to identify whether the requirement involves user interaction (screens), logic control, or database operations - When multiple elements seem correct, consider which provides the simplest solution - Remember that flow elements execute in sequence unless a decision or loop alters the path - Practice building flows in a developer org to reinforce your understanding of how elements connect and function together