Learn Workflow and Process Automation (SF Admin) with Interactive Flashcards
Master key concepts in Workflow and Process Automation through our interactive flashcard system. Click on each card to reveal detailed explanations and enhance your understanding.
Workflow Rules Overview
Workflow Rules in Salesforce are automated processes that evaluate record criteria and trigger actions based on those criteria. They represent one of the foundational automation tools available to Platform Administrators for streamlining business processes and reducing manual tasks.
A Workflow Rule consists of two main components: evaluation criteria and workflow actions. The evaluation criteria determine when the rule should fire - either when a record is created, when it is created or edited, or when it is created or edited to subsequently meet criteria. The rule criteria can be set using filter conditions or a formula that evaluates to true or false.
Workflow Actions are the automated responses that execute when criteria are met. There are four types of workflow actions:
1. Email Alerts - Send automated email notifications to specified recipients using email templates.
2. Field Updates - Automatically modify field values on the record that triggered the rule or on related parent records through master-detail relationships.
3. Tasks - Create task records and assign them to users, roles, or record owners.
4. Outbound Messages - Send SOAP messages to external web services for integration purposes.
These actions can be configured as either immediate actions (executing right away when criteria are met) or time-dependent actions (executing at a specified time before or after a date field value).
Workflow Rules operate on a single object and follow a specific order of execution within the Salesforce save process. They are particularly useful for straightforward automation scenarios like sending notification emails, updating status fields, or creating follow-up tasks.
It is important to note that Salesforce has shifted focus toward Flow as the preferred automation tool, and Workflow Rules are considered legacy functionality. New implementations should consider using Flow Builder for more robust and maintainable automation solutions, though existing Workflow Rules continue to function and remain supported.
Workflow Rule Criteria
Workflow Rule Criteria in Salesforce defines the specific conditions that must be met for a workflow rule to trigger and execute its associated actions. As a Platform Administrator, understanding this concept is essential for automating business processes effectively.
Workflow rules evaluate records when they are created or edited, and the criteria determines whether the automation should fire. There are two primary ways to define criteria:
1. **Criteria-Based Evaluation**: This method uses field-based conditions where you specify the field, operator, and value. For example, you might set criteria where 'Status equals Closed' or 'Amount greater than 10000'. You can combine multiple conditions using AND/OR logic to create complex evaluation scenarios.
2. **Formula-Based Evaluation**: This approach allows you to write a formula that returns a TRUE or FALSE value. When the formula evaluates to TRUE, the workflow rule fires. This method provides greater flexibility for complex conditions that involve multiple objects, date calculations, or sophisticated logic.
When configuring workflow rules, you must also specify the evaluation criteria, which determines when Salesforce evaluates the rule:
- **Created**: The rule runs only when a record is first created
- **Created and every time it's edited**: The rule evaluates each time a record is saved
- **Created and any time it's edited to subsequently meet criteria**: The rule fires when a record is created meeting criteria, or when an edited record changes from not meeting to meeting the criteria
Best practices include keeping criteria simple and well-documented, testing thoroughly in sandbox environments, and considering the order of execution when multiple automation tools are involved. Remember that workflow rules are evaluated after validation rules but before assignment rules in the save order.
While workflow rules remain functional, Salesforce recommends using Flow Builder for new automation as workflow rules are no longer receiving new features.
Immediate vs Time-Dependent Actions
In Salesforce, Workflow Rules can trigger two types of actions: Immediate Actions and Time-Dependent Actions. Understanding the difference between these is crucial for Platform Administrators managing process automation.
Immediate Actions execute as soon as the workflow rule criteria are met and the record is saved. These actions happen in real-time during the same transaction. Examples include sending email alerts, updating fields on the record or related records, creating tasks, and sending outbound messages. When a user saves a record that meets the rule criteria, immediate actions fire right away as part of that save operation.
Time-Dependent Actions, on the other hand, are scheduled to execute at a specific time in the future based on a date or datetime field. These actions are placed in a workflow queue and processed when the specified time arrives. For example, you might configure an action to send a follow-up email 7 days after a case is created, or update a field 30 days before a contract expires.
Key considerations for Time-Dependent Actions include:
1. The workflow rule must have an evaluation criteria of 'Created' or 'Created, and every time it is edited' - not 'Created, and any time it is edited to subsequently meet criteria.'
2. Time triggers are based on either a specific date/datetime field or a rule trigger date.
3. If a record no longer meets the rule criteria before the scheduled time, pending time-dependent actions are removed from the queue.
4. You can monitor pending actions in Setup under Time-Based Workflow.
5. Time-dependent actions cannot be added to workflow rules that have 'Evaluation Criteria' set to evaluate every time the record is edited.
Both action types support the same operations (field updates, email alerts, tasks, outbound messages), but the timing of execution differs significantly. Administrators should carefully consider business requirements when choosing between these options for effective automation.
Workflow Field Updates
Workflow Field Updates are a powerful automation feature in Salesforce that allow administrators to automatically modify field values on records when specific criteria are met. As part of the classic workflow rules functionality, Field Updates enable you to change data on a record or even on a related record when a workflow rule is triggered.
When creating a Workflow Field Update, you first define the workflow rule with entry criteria that determines when the automation should execute. Once triggered, the Field Update action can modify various field types including text, number, date, picklist, and checkbox fields. You can set fields to specific values, use formulas to calculate new values, or even set a field to null or blank.
Key capabilities of Workflow Field Updates include:
1. Re-evaluation of Workflow Rules: You can configure Field Updates to trigger additional workflow rules after the update occurs, enabling cascading automation.
2. Cross-Object Updates: Field Updates can modify fields on related parent records through lookup relationships, extending automation beyond the current record.
3. Formula-Based Updates: Administrators can use formula expressions to dynamically calculate the new field value based on other fields or system variables.
4. Time-Based Execution: Field Updates can be scheduled to execute at a specified time after the workflow rule triggers, rather than running at the moment of activation.
Important considerations when working with Workflow Field Updates include understanding that they respect field-level security and validation rules. Updates made through workflow are tracked in the record history and count toward governor limits.
While Salesforce has introduced Flow as the preferred automation tool, Workflow Field Updates remain functional and are still used in many organizations. However, administrators should consider migrating to Flow for new automations, as Salesforce continues to enhance Flow capabilities while workflow rules receive limited updates.
Workflow Email Alerts
Workflow Email Alerts are automated email notifications triggered by Salesforce workflow rules when specific criteria are met. As a Platform Administrator, understanding this feature is essential for streamlining business communication and keeping stakeholders informed about important record changes.
A Workflow Email Alert consists of several key components. First, you need an Email Template that defines the content, format, and merge fields for your message. Templates can be text, HTML, custom HTML, or Visualforce-based. Second, you specify recipients who can include users, roles, role and subordinates, public groups, record owners, or up to five additional email addresses.
To create a Workflow Email Alert, navigate to Setup, then search for Workflow Rules. After creating or editing a workflow rule with appropriate evaluation criteria and rule criteria, you add the email alert as an action. You can configure the alert as an immediate action or a time-dependent action that fires after a specified period.
Key considerations for Workflow Email Alerts include daily limits. Salesforce enforces a limit of 1,000 emails per standard Salesforce license per day for workflow emails. Additionally, email alerts count against your organization's overall email limits.
Best practices include using descriptive names for email alerts to maintain organization, testing alerts in a sandbox environment before deploying to production, and considering the recipient experience to avoid notification fatigue. You should also leverage merge fields to personalize messages with record-specific data.
While Salesforce has introduced Flow Builder as the recommended automation tool, Workflow Email Alerts remain functional for existing implementations. Many organizations still use them for simple notification requirements. However, for new automation projects, administrators should consider using Flow with email action elements, which offer greater flexibility and enhanced capabilities.
Workflow Email Alerts represent a foundational automation feature that helps organizations maintain consistent communication while reducing manual effort in notification processes.
Workflow Tasks
Workflow Tasks are a fundamental automation feature in Salesforce that allow administrators to automatically assign tasks to users when specific criteria are met. As part of the Workflow Rules functionality, these tasks help streamline business processes and ensure important follow-up activities are never overlooked.
When creating a Workflow Task, administrators can configure several key components. First, you define the Assigned To field, which determines who receives the task. This can be set to the record owner, a specific user, a role, or the creator of the record. You can also use a formula to dynamically assign tasks based on field values.
The Subject field describes what action needs to be taken, while the Due Date can be set as a specific date or calculated relative to the rule trigger date or a date field on the record. Priority levels (High, Normal, or Low) help recipients prioritize their workload, and Status options track task completion.
Workflow Tasks are triggered through Workflow Rules, which evaluate records when they are created or edited. The evaluation criteria determine whether the associated actions, including task creation, should execute. Time-dependent workflow actions allow tasks to be created at scheduled intervals before or after specific dates.
Key benefits of Workflow Tasks include consistent task assignment across your organization, reduced manual effort in creating routine follow-up items, and improved accountability through automated tracking. They are particularly useful for scenarios like follow-up calls after opportunity creation, reminder tasks before contract renewals, or customer satisfaction surveys after case closure.
However, its important to note that Salesforce has been transitioning toward Flow as the primary automation tool. While Workflow Rules remain functional, administrators should consider using Flow for new automation requirements, as it offers greater flexibility and is actively being enhanced by Salesforce. Workflow Tasks represent a legacy feature that many organizations still rely on for simpler automation needs.
Workflow Outbound Messages
Workflow Outbound Messages are a powerful automation feature in Salesforce that enable real-time integration between Salesforce and external systems. As a Platform Administrator, understanding this functionality is essential for building robust automated processes.
An Outbound Message is a workflow action that sends a SOAP-based XML message to a designated external endpoint whenever specific criteria are met. When a workflow rule fires and includes an outbound message action, Salesforce automatically generates and transmits data to the specified URL.
Key components of Outbound Messages include:
1. **Endpoint URL**: The external web service address that receives the message. This must be a valid HTTPS URL capable of processing SOAP requests.
2. **User for Sending**: The Salesforce user context under which the message is sent, affecting security and permissions.
3. **Selected Fields**: Administrators choose which fields from the triggering record to include in the outbound message payload.
4. **Session ID**: Optionally included to allow the receiving system to make API callbacks to Salesforce.
Outbound Messages operate asynchronously and include a retry mechanism. If the external endpoint fails to acknowledge receipt, Salesforce attempts redelivery for up to 24 hours. The receiving system must respond with a positive acknowledgment to confirm successful delivery.
Common use cases include:
- Syncing Salesforce data with ERP systems
- Triggering external approval processes
- Updating inventory management systems
- Notifying external applications of record changes
To monitor outbound messages, administrators can access Setup and navigate to Outbound Messages under Monitoring. This interface displays pending messages and delivery status.
While Process Builder and Flow have largely superseded traditional workflow rules for new implementations, Outbound Messages remain valuable for organizations with existing integrations or specific SOAP-based requirements. They provide a declarative, code-free method to achieve system integration, making them accessible to administrators who may not have development expertise.
Approval Process Overview
An Approval Process in Salesforce is a powerful automation feature that allows organizations to automate the approval of records based on specific criteria. This functionality streamlines business operations by routing records through a defined sequence of steps, ensuring proper authorization before records are finalized or actions are taken.
Key Components of an Approval Process:
1. Entry Criteria: These are conditions that determine which records enter the approval process. Records must meet these specified criteria to be submitted for approval.
2. Initial Submission Actions: Actions that occur when a record is first submitted, such as field updates, email alerts, or task assignments.
3. Approval Steps: Sequential stages where designated approvers review and either approve or reject the record. Each step can have its own criteria and assigned approvers.
4. Approvers: Users responsible for reviewing submitted records. They can be assigned based on hierarchy, queue membership, or specific user selection.
5. Final Approval Actions: Automated actions executed when all approval steps are completed successfully, such as updating the record status or sending notification emails.
6. Final Rejection Actions: Actions triggered when a record is rejected at any point in the process.
7. Recall Actions: Actions that occur when a submitter withdraws their submission from the approval queue.
Best Practices:
- Define clear entry criteria to ensure only appropriate records enter the process
- Establish reasonable timelines for each approval step
- Configure email alerts to keep stakeholders informed
- Use field updates to track approval status
- Test thoroughly in a sandbox environment before deployment
Approval Processes integrate seamlessly with other Salesforce automation tools and can be monitored through reports and dashboards. Administrators can create multiple approval processes for a single object, each serving different business scenarios. This feature is essential for maintaining compliance, ensuring accountability, and creating audit trails for critical business decisions.
Approval Process Steps
Approval Process Steps in Salesforce are sequential stages that define how records move through an approval workflow. As a Platform Administrator, understanding these steps is crucial for automating business processes that require managerial or departmental sign-off.
An approval process consists of multiple components working together. First, you define Entry Criteria, which determines which records qualify for the approval process. Only records meeting these conditions will enter the workflow.
Each step within the approval process specifies who must approve the record. Approvers can be assigned in several ways: a specific user, a user field on the record (like Manager), a queue, or related users based on hierarchy. You can configure steps to require unanimous approval from all assigned approvers or approval from just one.
Step Criteria allow you to create conditional logic within your process. You can set up multiple steps where records follow different paths based on field values or other conditions. This enables complex routing scenarios where different departments or approval levels are involved based on record characteristics.
For each step, you configure Approval Actions and Rejection Actions. These are automated tasks that execute when the step is approved or rejected. Common actions include field updates, email alerts, tasks, and outbound messages. You can also define Final Approval Actions and Final Rejection Actions that trigger when the entire process completes.
Recall Actions allow users to withdraw submitted records from the approval queue, and you can automate specific behaviors when this occurs.
Administrators must also consider the Initial Submission Actions, which execute when a record first enters the process. The Submit for Approval button or automated submission through Process Builder initiates the workflow.
Best practices include testing approval processes in a sandbox environment, documenting your approval routing logic, and ensuring proper user permissions are configured for approvers to access and act on pending requests.
Approval Actions
Approval Actions in Salesforce are automated operations that execute at specific points during an approval process. These actions help streamline business workflows by automatically performing tasks when records move through approval stages.
There are four types of Approval Actions:
1. **Initial Submission Actions**: These execute when a user first submits a record for approval. Common uses include locking the record to prevent edits, updating a status field to 'Pending Approval,' or sending an email notification to stakeholders.
2. **Final Approval Actions**: These trigger when all required approvers have approved the request. Typical actions include updating the record status to 'Approved,' unlocking the record for further processing, sending confirmation emails, or creating related records.
3. **Final Rejection Actions**: These execute when an approver rejects the request and no further approval steps remain. Actions might include setting status to 'Rejected,' notifying the submitter, or reverting field values to previous states.
4. **Recall Actions**: These occur when a user withdraws a submitted approval request before a decision is made. Common implementations include resetting status fields and sending notifications about the withdrawal.
Each approval action type can include multiple action components:
- **Field Updates**: Modify field values on the record being approved or related records
- **Email Alerts**: Send templated notifications to users, roles, or email addresses
- **Tasks**: Create task records assigned to specific users
- **Outbound Messages**: Send SOAP-based messages to external systems for integration purposes
Administrators configure these actions within the approval process setup, specifying which actions execute at each stage. Multiple actions can be combined at any step to create comprehensive automation.
Best practices include using clear naming conventions for actions, testing thoroughly in sandbox environments, and documenting the business logic behind each action. Approval Actions significantly reduce manual work and ensure consistent processing of records requiring management oversight.
Approval Request Routing
Approval Request Routing in Salesforce determines how approval requests are directed to the appropriate approvers within an organization's workflow. This feature is essential for automating business processes that require managerial or departmental sign-off before records can proceed to the next stage.
When configuring approval processes, administrators have several routing options available. The first option is Automatically Assigned Approver, where the system routes requests based on a user field on the submitted record, such as the Manager field on the record owner's user profile. This creates a dynamic routing mechanism that adapts to organizational hierarchies.
The second option involves specifying approvers through a Related User Field. This allows routing based on user lookup fields present on the record being submitted, providing flexibility when approval authority differs from standard reporting structures.
Administrators can also configure Queue-based routing, where requests are sent to a group of users. Any queue member can claim and act upon the request, which is useful for distributed approval scenarios where multiple people share approval responsibilities.
Another approach is using a Hierarchy Field to route approvals up the management chain. This ensures requests follow established organizational structures and can require multiple levels of approval based on record criteria.
Approval routing can incorporate multiple steps, each with different approvers and criteria. Administrators can set conditions determining when specific steps apply, enabling complex approval scenarios. For instance, deals above certain values might require executive approval while smaller deals need only manager approval.
The routing configuration also supports unanimous or first-response approval behaviors, determining whether all assigned approvers must approve or if one approval suffices. Rejection routing can return records to previous steps or end the process entirely.
Effective approval routing reduces bottlenecks, ensures compliance with business policies, and maintains audit trails of all approval actions taken throughout the process lifecycle.
Parallel Approvals
Parallel Approvals in Salesforce represent a powerful feature within the approval process framework that allows multiple approvers to review and act on a record simultaneously rather than sequentially. This capability significantly accelerates business processes where multiple stakeholders need to provide their consent or feedback on the same request.
In a standard sequential approval process, each approver must complete their action before the next approver receives the request. However, parallel approvals enable organizations to send approval requests to multiple users or groups at the same time, reducing overall processing time and improving operational efficiency.
When configuring parallel approvals, administrators can define approval steps that include multiple approvers. Salesforce provides flexibility in determining how the approval decision is made when multiple approvers are involved. You can configure the step to require unanimous approval, where all assigned approvers must approve for the record to move forward, or you can set it so that only the first response determines the outcome.
To implement parallel approvals, administrators navigate to Setup, then Process Automation, and select Approval Processes. When creating or editing an approval step, you can specify multiple approvers by adding users, queues, or related users. The system then distributes the approval request to all designated parties concurrently.
Key considerations for parallel approvals include proper notification management to ensure all approvers are aware of pending requests, establishing clear escalation rules for cases where approvers do not respond within expected timeframes, and defining appropriate approval thresholds based on business requirements.
Parallel approvals are particularly valuable in scenarios such as expense approvals requiring sign-off from both a manager and finance department, contract reviews needing legal and sales approval, or any business process where multiple departments must validate a request. This functionality helps organizations maintain compliance while streamlining their operational workflows and reducing bottlenecks in decision-making processes.
Dynamic Approval Routing
Dynamic Approval Routing in Salesforce is a powerful feature within the Workflow and Process Automation framework that allows organizations to create flexible, data-driven approval processes. Rather than using static, predefined approvers, dynamic routing determines approvers at runtime based on field values, related records, or custom logic.
In traditional approval processes, administrators manually specify which users or roles should approve records. Dynamic Approval Routing enhances this by automatically identifying the appropriate approver based on criteria stored in the record itself or related objects. This is particularly useful in organizations with complex hierarchies or where approval requirements vary by region, department, or transaction type.
There are several methods to implement dynamic approval routing in Salesforce. The first approach uses a User Lookup Field on the object, where a custom field stores the reference to the designated approver. When the approval process runs, it references this field to route the request accordingly.
The second method involves using Related User Fields, which traverse relationships to find the appropriate approver. For example, an opportunity might route to the Account Owner or the Owner's Manager through relationship traversal.
The third approach utilizes Hierarchical Relationships, where the system follows the management hierarchy defined in the Role Hierarchy or a custom Manager field on the User object. This enables automatic escalation through organizational levels.
Administrators can also leverage Custom Hierarchy Fields to define specialized reporting structures separate from the standard role hierarchy, providing additional flexibility for unique business requirements.
When configuring dynamic routing, administrators should ensure that lookup fields always contain valid user references to prevent routing failures. Additionally, combining dynamic routing with entry criteria allows for sophisticated approval workflows that adapt to various business scenarios.
This capability reduces administrative overhead by eliminating the need to update approval processes when organizational changes occur, as the routing logic automatically adjusts based on current data values.
Process Builder Overview
Process Builder is a powerful point-and-click automation tool in Salesforce that allows administrators to automate business processes by defining criteria and actions. It provides a visual interface for creating automated workflows that can perform multiple actions based on specified conditions.
Process Builder operates on a trigger-based model, initiating when a record is created or edited, when another process invokes it, or when a platform event message is received. Each process consists of criteria nodes that evaluate whether records meet defined conditions, and action groups that execute when those criteria are satisfied.
Key capabilities of Process Builder include:
1. **Multiple Actions**: Unlike traditional workflow rules, Process Builder can execute multiple actions within a single process, including creating records, updating related records, posting to Chatter, sending emails, launching flows, and invoking Apex code.
2. **Related Record Updates**: Process Builder can update fields on related records, such as updating a parent account when a child opportunity changes.
3. **Scheduled Actions**: Administrators can configure time-dependent actions to execute at specific intervals before or after a date field value.
4. **Visual Interface**: The drag-and-drop canvas makes it easy to design and understand complex automation logic.
5. **Formula Support**: Criteria can use formula expressions for advanced conditional logic.
Best practices include documenting processes thoroughly, testing in sandbox environments before deployment, considering order of execution, and monitoring for recursion issues. Administrators should also be aware that Salesforce recommends transitioning to Flow Builder for new automation, as Process Builder is scheduled for retirement.
Process Builder bridges the gap between simple workflow rules and complex Apex triggers, enabling administrators to implement sophisticated business logic through configuration rather than code. Understanding Process Builder remains essential for maintaining existing automation and for the Platform Administrator certification exam.
Process Builder Actions
Process Builder Actions are the executable tasks that occur when a process's criteria are met in Salesforce. As a Platform Administrator, understanding these actions is crucial for automating business processes effectively.
There are two categories of actions in Process Builder: Immediate Actions and Scheduled Actions. Immediate Actions execute as soon as the criteria evaluate to true, while Scheduled Actions run at a specified time after the trigger event.
The available action types include:
1. **Create a Record**: Automatically generates new records in any object when conditions are satisfied. This is useful for creating follow-up tasks, cases, or related records.
2. **Update Records**: Modifies field values on the triggering record or any related record. You can update multiple fields simultaneously.
3. **Post to Chatter**: Publishes posts to user feeds, group feeds, or record feeds to keep teams informed about important changes.
4. **Send Email**: Triggers email alerts using predefined email templates to notify users or contacts about specific events.
5. **Submit for Approval**: Automatically submits records to an approval process, streamlining approval workflows.
6. **Quick Actions**: Executes object-specific or global actions, such as creating records with predefined field values or logging calls.
7. **Invoke Apex**: Calls custom Apex classes marked with @InvocableMethod annotation for complex logic that standard actions cannot handle.
8. **Launch Flow**: Triggers an autolaunched flow, enabling more sophisticated automation scenarios and complex decision logic.
9. **Call Apex Processes**: Invokes invocable processes for additional automation capabilities.
When configuring actions, administrators should consider the order of execution, governor limits, and potential recursive triggers. Multiple actions can be added to a single action group, and they execute in the order listed. Scheduled actions provide flexibility by allowing delays based on specific date fields or calculated timeframes, making Process Builder a powerful tool for comprehensive business automation.
Scheduled Actions in Process Builder
Scheduled Actions in Process Builder are powerful automation features that allow administrators to execute specific actions at a designated time in the future, rather than running them at the moment a record meets the criteria. This capability enables organizations to create time-based business processes that align with their operational needs.
When configuring Scheduled Actions, you define a time-based trigger that determines when the action should execute. This trigger is based on a specific date or datetime field on the record, such as Created Date, Close Date, or any custom datetime field. You can set the action to run a certain number of hours, days, or weeks before or after the specified date.
For example, if you want to send a reminder email seven days before a contract expires, you would create a scheduled action that references the Contract End Date field and sets the timing to "7 Days Before" that date.
Scheduled Actions support various action types including: sending email alerts, creating records, updating fields, posting to Chatter, submitting records for approval, and calling Apex code or other processes.
Important considerations when working with Scheduled Actions include understanding that they are evaluated based on the criteria at the time of execution, not at the time they were scheduled. If a record no longer meets the criteria when the scheduled time arrives, the action will not execute. Additionally, if you need to cancel pending scheduled actions, you can do so through the Paused and Waiting Interviews section in Setup.
Scheduled Actions are particularly useful for follow-up tasks, renewal reminders, escalation processes, and any business requirement that involves time-delayed automation. They help reduce manual effort and ensure consistent execution of time-sensitive business processes across the organization.
Invoking Flows from Process Builder
Invoking Flows from Process Builder is a powerful automation technique in Salesforce that allows administrators to leverage the strengths of both tools. Process Builder serves as the trigger mechanism, while Flow provides more complex logic and functionality that Process Builder alone cannot achieve.
When you invoke a Flow from Process Builder, you create a seamless automation chain. Process Builder excels at monitoring record changes and evaluating criteria, while Flow handles sophisticated operations like loops, screen interactions, and complex data manipulations.
To set up this integration, first create your Flow in Flow Builder. The Flow should be an Autolaunched Flow type since it will run in the background when triggered by Process Builder. Ensure your Flow has input variables defined if you need to pass data from Process Builder.
In Process Builder, create your process and define the criteria that should trigger the automation. Under the action group, select 'Flows' as your action type. Choose your target Flow from the available list and map the required variables. You can pass record field values, formulas, or static values to the Flow's input variables.
This approach is particularly useful for scenarios requiring multiple record updates across different objects, sending custom notifications, performing calculations, or executing conditional logic that exceeds Process Builder's native capabilities.
Key considerations include ensuring proper variable mapping between Process Builder and Flow, testing thoroughly in sandbox environments, and monitoring governor limits since both tools consume resources. Remember that Autolaunched Flows invoked from Process Builder run in system context, which affects sharing and security considerations.
Note that Salesforce recommends migrating Process Builder automations to Flow, as Flow now supports record-triggered capabilities that previously required Process Builder. However, understanding this integration remains valuable for maintaining existing automations and understanding Salesforce's automation evolution.
Flow Builder Overview
Flow Builder is a powerful point-and-click automation tool in Salesforce that enables administrators to build complex business processes without writing code. It serves as the primary tool for creating flows, which are automated processes that collect data, perform actions, and guide users through screens.
Flow Builder provides a visual canvas where you can design your automation logic by dragging and dropping elements. The interface consists of three main components: the toolbox containing available elements, the canvas where you build your flow, and the button bar for saving and activating.
There are several flow types available in Flow Builder. Screen Flows present interactive screens to users and collect input. Record-Triggered Flows run automatically when records are created, updated, or deleted. Schedule-Triggered Flows execute at specified times. Platform Event-Triggered Flows respond to platform events. Autolaunched Flows run in the background and can be called from other processes.
Key elements in Flow Builder include Screen elements for user interaction, Assignment elements for setting variable values, Decision elements for branching logic, Loop elements for iterating through collections, Get Records for querying data, Create Records for inserting new records, Update Records for modifying existing records, and Delete Records for removing data.
Flow Builder also supports resources such as variables, constants, formulas, text templates, and choices. These resources store and manipulate data throughout the flow execution.
Best practices include using descriptive names for elements, implementing fault paths for error handling, testing flows thoroughly before activation, and considering governor limits when working with large data volumes.
Flow Builder has largely replaced older automation tools like Workflow Rules and Process Builder, offering more flexibility and capabilities. Salesforce recommends migrating existing automations to Flow Builder for better maintainability and enhanced functionality. The tool continues to receive updates with each Salesforce release, expanding its capabilities for administrators.
Flow Types
Flow Types in Salesforce are different categories of automated processes that allow administrators to build powerful business automation solutions. Each flow type serves a specific purpose and triggers under different conditions.
**Screen Flows** are interactive flows that guide users through a series of screens to collect and display information. Users manually launch these flows from buttons, links, Lightning pages, or Experience Cloud sites. They are ideal for guided processes like case creation or lead qualification.
**Record-Triggered Flows** execute when a record is created, updated, or deleted. These replace Process Builder and Workflow Rules as the preferred automation tool. They run in the background and can perform actions before or after the record is saved to the database. Use cases include field updates, creating related records, or sending notifications.
**Schedule-Triggered Flows** run at specified times and frequencies, such as daily, weekly, or monthly. They process batches of records that meet defined criteria. Common applications include sending reminder emails, updating record statuses, or performing routine data maintenance.
**Platform Event-Triggered Flows** respond to platform event messages, enabling real-time integration scenarios. They execute when the system receives a specific platform event.
**Autolaunched Flows** run in the background and can be called from other automation tools, Apex code, or REST API. They contain no screen elements and execute entirely behind the scenes.
**Subflows** are reusable flow components that can be called from other flows, promoting modular design and reducing redundancy.
Understanding these flow types helps administrators select the appropriate automation approach for each business requirement. Salesforce recommends using flows as the primary automation tool, as they offer the most flexibility and will continue receiving platform enhancements. The Flow Builder provides a visual interface for creating all flow types, making automation accessible to administrators at various skill levels.
Screen Flows
Screen Flows are a powerful automation tool within Salesforce Flow Builder that enable administrators to create interactive, guided experiences for users. Unlike record-triggered flows that run automatically in the background, Screen Flows require user interaction and display visual interfaces that collect information, guide users through processes, or present data in a structured manner.
Screen Flows consist of various elements including screens, logic components, and actions. The screen element is the core component where administrators design the user interface using input fields such as text boxes, picklists, checkboxes, radio buttons, and date pickers. These screens can also display information, images, and custom components to enhance the user experience.
Administrators can incorporate decision logic, loops, and assignments to create dynamic experiences that adapt based on user inputs. For example, a Screen Flow might show different questions depending on previous answers, creating a personalized journey for each user.
Screen Flows can be launched in multiple ways: embedded on Lightning pages, added to utility bars, triggered from quick actions, placed in Experience Cloud sites, or accessed through custom buttons and links. This flexibility makes them ideal for various use cases including case creation wizards, opportunity qualification processes, onboarding workflows, and data collection forms.
Key capabilities include the ability to create, update, and delete records, send emails, invoke Apex code, and call external services. Variables store data throughout the flow execution, and formulas can perform calculations or manipulate text values.
Best practices for Screen Flows include keeping the user interface simple and intuitive, minimizing the number of screens, providing clear instructions, implementing proper error handling, and testing thoroughly before deployment. Administrators should also consider mobile responsiveness since Screen Flows can be accessed from Salesforce mobile applications.
Screen Flows represent a low-code solution that empowers administrators to build sophisticated applications while maintaining governance and security standards.
Auto-launched Flows
Auto-launched Flows are a powerful automation tool in Salesforce that run in the background without any user interaction or screen elements. Unlike Screen Flows that require user input through visual interfaces, Auto-launched Flows execute automatically when triggered by specific events or processes within the Salesforce platform.
These flows can be invoked through several methods including Process Builder, Apex code, REST API, or as record-triggered flows. When configured as record-triggered, they can execute before or after a record is saved, giving administrators flexibility in when the automation runs relative to database operations.
Auto-launched Flows are particularly valuable for complex business logic that needs to happen behind the scenes. Common use cases include updating related records, creating multiple records across different objects, performing calculations, sending outbound messages, and executing conditional logic based on field values.
Key characteristics of Auto-launched Flows include their ability to run in system context or user context, depending on configuration. System context means the flow runs with full system permissions, while user context respects the running user's permissions and sharing rules. This distinction is important for security and data access considerations.
Administrators can build Auto-launched Flows using Flow Builder, Salesforce's declarative automation tool. The builder provides a visual interface for creating flow elements such as assignments, decisions, loops, record operations, and subflow calls. Variables can store and manipulate data throughout the flow execution.
Best practices for Auto-launched Flows include bulkifying operations to handle multiple records efficiently, implementing proper error handling, and testing thoroughly in sandbox environments before deployment. Administrators should also consider governor limits when designing complex flows.
Auto-launched Flows represent Salesforce's strategic direction for automation, as they are part of the Flow framework that is gradually replacing older tools like Workflow Rules and Process Builder.
Record-Triggered Flows
Record-Triggered Flows are a powerful automation tool in Salesforce that execute when a record is created, updated, or deleted. They replace the older Workflow Rules and Process Builder, offering more flexibility and functionality within a single automation framework.
Record-Triggered Flows activate based on specific record changes in your Salesforce org. You can configure them to run when a record is created, when a record is updated, when a record is created or updated, or when a record is deleted.
There are three optimization options for Record-Triggered Flows:
1. Fast Field Updates: Runs before the record is saved to the database, allowing you to update fields on the triggering record efficiently.
2. Actions and Related Records: Runs after the record is saved, enabling you to update related records, send emails, create tasks, and perform other actions.
3. Scheduled Paths: Allows you to schedule actions to run at a specific time after the triggering event, such as sending a follow-up email three days after a case is created.
Key components of Record-Triggered Flows include Entry Conditions that determine which records trigger the flow, Decision Elements for branching logic, and various Action elements like Create Records, Update Records, Delete Records, and Send Email.
Best practices for Record-Triggered Flows include bulkifying your flows to handle multiple records efficiently, avoiding recursive loops by using entry conditions carefully, and consolidating multiple automations on the same object into a single flow when possible.
Record-Triggered Flows are part of Salesforce Flow Builder and represent the recommended approach for record-based automation. They provide a visual interface for building complex business logic and can handle scenarios that previously required multiple automation tools or custom Apex code. Administrators should understand flow types, optimization settings, and debugging techniques to effectively implement and troubleshoot these automations.
Schedule-Triggered Flows
Schedule-Triggered Flows are a powerful automation feature in Salesforce that allow administrators to execute automated processes at specific times or on recurring schedules. Unlike record-triggered flows that respond to data changes, schedule-triggered flows run based on time-based criteria you define.
These flows are ideal for batch processing operations such as sending reminder emails, updating records on a regular basis, or performing cleanup tasks. You can configure them to run daily, weekly, or at custom intervals that meet your business requirements.
When creating a schedule-triggered flow, you first define the schedule parameters including the start date, start time, and frequency. You can choose to run the flow once or set it to repeat at your desired intervals. The flow then queries records based on criteria you specify and performs actions on those records.
Key components of schedule-triggered flows include:
1. Schedule Configuration - Set when and how often the flow runs
2. Get Records Element - Retrieve records that meet specific criteria
3. Loop Element - Iterate through multiple records for processing
4. Action Elements - Perform operations like updating records, sending emails, or creating tasks
Best practices for schedule-triggered flows include limiting the number of records processed to avoid governor limits, using efficient filter criteria to reduce processing time, and thoroughly testing in a sandbox environment before deployment.
Administrators should monitor scheduled flow executions through the Paused and Failed Flow Interviews report and Flow Error Emails. This helps identify and resolve any issues that may arise during execution.
Schedule-triggered flows replaced time-dependent workflow actions and scheduled actions in Process Builder, offering more flexibility and a unified automation platform. They represent a modern approach to time-based automation within the Salesforce ecosystem, enabling administrators to automate routine tasks efficiently while maintaining system performance.
Platform Event-Triggered Flows
Platform Event-Triggered Flows are a powerful automation feature in Salesforce that allow administrators to create automated processes that respond to platform events in real-time. These flows are designed to handle event-driven architecture, enabling systems to communicate and react to specific occurrences within the Salesforce ecosystem or from external applications.
A platform event is a custom message that contains data about a particular occurrence. When an event is published, Platform Event-Triggered Flows can subscribe to these events and execute automated actions based on the event data received. This creates a robust mechanism for building reactive, loosely-coupled integrations.
Key characteristics of Platform Event-Triggered Flows include:
1. **Asynchronous Processing**: These flows operate asynchronously, meaning they run in the background after an event is published, allowing the main transaction to continue uninterrupted.
2. **Real-Time Responsiveness**: The flow triggers as soon as the platform event is published, enabling near real-time automation responses.
3. **Scalability**: Platform events are designed to handle high volumes, making them suitable for enterprise-level integrations and complex business processes.
4. **External Integration**: External systems can publish events to Salesforce, triggering flows that process incoming data and update records accordingly.
Common use cases include:
- Processing data from external systems
- Coordinating actions across multiple Salesforce orgs
- Handling high-volume data processing scenarios
- Building notification systems
- Managing complex integration workflows
To create a Platform Event-Triggered Flow, administrators first define a custom platform event object with relevant fields. Then, using Flow Builder, they select the Platform Event trigger type and specify which event the flow should subscribe to. The flow can then include various elements like assignments, decisions, loops, and data manipulation actions.
These flows are essential for modern Salesforce implementations requiring event-driven automation and seamless integration capabilities between Salesforce and external applications.
Flow Elements
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 Variables
Flow Variables in Salesforce are essential components that store and manage data within a Flow. They act as containers that hold values which can be used, manipulated, and passed throughout the flow execution process.
There are several types of Flow Variables:
1. **Variable**: Stores a single value of a specific data type such as Text, Number, Currency, Date, DateTime, Boolean, or Record. These are fundamental building blocks for storing temporary data during flow execution.
2. **Collection Variable**: Holds multiple values of the same data type in a list format. This is particularly useful when working with multiple records or when you need to store several values for iteration.
3. **Record Variable**: Stores a single record with all its field values. This type is ideal when you need to work with an entire Salesforce record, such as an Account or Contact.
4. **Record Collection Variable**: Contains multiple records, making it perfect for scenarios where you need to process or update several records simultaneously.
5. **Constant**: Holds a fixed value that remains unchanged throughout the flow execution. Constants are useful for values that should never be modified.
**Key Characteristics:**
- Variables can be set as Input, Output, or both, allowing data to be passed into and out of flows
- They have defined data types that determine what kind of information they can store
- Variables can be marked as available for input or output when the flow is used as a subflow
- Default values can be assigned during variable creation
**Best Practices:**
- Use descriptive naming conventions for easy identification
- Choose appropriate data types matching your requirements
- Consider whether variables need external accessibility
- Initialize variables with default values when applicable
Understanding Flow Variables is crucial for building efficient automation solutions that can store, process, and transfer data effectively throughout your business processes.
Flow Resources
Flow Resources are essential components in Salesforce Flow Builder that store and manage data throughout a flow's execution. They act as containers for values that can be referenced, manipulated, and passed between different elements within your automation.
There are several types of Flow Resources available:
**Variables** are the most common resource type, storing single values like text, numbers, dates, or record data. They can be configured as input, output, or both, allowing data to pass into and out of the flow.
**Collections** store multiple values of the same data type, similar to arrays or lists. Collection variables are particularly useful when working with multiple records retrieved from database queries.
**Constants** hold fixed values that remain unchanged throughout the flow execution. They provide a centralized location for values used repeatedly, making maintenance easier.
**Formulas** calculate values dynamically using Salesforce formula syntax. They recalculate each time they are referenced, ensuring current values based on other resource values.
**Text Templates** allow you to create formatted text blocks with merge fields, ideal for constructing email bodies or creating dynamic content.
**Choice Resources** define options for screen elements like radio buttons, picklists, or checkboxes. Record Choice Sets dynamically populate options based on database queries.
**Stages** track progress through guided processes, particularly useful in screen flows where users move through multiple steps.
Flow Resources can be created manually or generated automatically when certain elements are added to your flow. For example, Get Records elements automatically create record variables or collections.
Proper resource management is crucial for flow performance and maintainability. Naming conventions should be clear and consistent, making flows easier to understand and troubleshoot. Resources can be viewed and managed in the Flow Builder's left panel under the Manager tab, where administrators can create, edit, and delete resources as needed for their automation requirements.
Flow Loops and Collections
Flow Loops and Collections are essential components in Salesforce Flow Builder that enable administrators to process multiple records efficiently. Collections are variables that store multiple values or records of the same data type, similar to a list or array. There are three main types of collections in Flow: Record Collections (storing multiple Salesforce records), Text Collections (storing multiple text values), and Number Collections (storing multiple numeric values). Collections are populated through Get Records elements, which query the database and return matching records into a collection variable. Loops allow you to iterate through each item in a collection one at a time, performing actions on individual records. When you create a Loop element, you specify which collection to iterate through and define a loop variable that temporarily holds the current item during each iteration. Inside the loop, you can add assignment elements to modify field values, decision elements to apply conditional logic, or other elements to perform specific operations. A common pattern involves creating an empty collection before the loop, then using Assignment elements within the loop to add modified records to this new collection. After the loop completes, you use a single Update Records element to save all changes in one database operation, which is crucial for avoiding governor limits. Best practices include minimizing the number of elements inside loops to improve performance, avoiding DML operations (Create, Update, Delete) within loops, and using bulk patterns by collecting records first and then performing a single database operation after the loop ends. Understanding loops and collections is fundamental for building scalable automations that handle large data volumes while respecting Salesforce platform limits and maintaining optimal performance.
Flow Decision Elements
Flow Decision Elements are fundamental components in Salesforce Flow Builder that enable administrators to create branching logic within their automated processes. These elements act as decision points, evaluating specified conditions and directing the flow down different paths based on whether those conditions are met.
A Decision element contains one or more outcomes, each with its own set of conditions. When the flow reaches a Decision element, it evaluates the conditions for each outcome in the order they appear. The flow follows the first outcome whose conditions evaluate to true. If no conditions are met, the flow follows the Default Outcome path.
Each outcome can have multiple conditions combined using AND or OR logic. AND logic requires all conditions to be true, while OR logic requires only one condition to be true. Conditions can compare field values, variables, formulas, or constants using operators such as equals, does not equal, greater than, less than, contains, starts with, and is null.
For example, an administrator might create a Decision element to route a case based on priority. The first outcome could check if Priority equals High, directing to an escalation path. A second outcome might check if Priority equals Medium, leading to a standard processing path. The Default Outcome would handle all Low priority cases.
Best practices for Decision elements include ordering outcomes from most specific to least specific, using descriptive labels for outcomes to improve flow readability, and limiting the number of outcomes to maintain simplicity. Administrators should also consider using formulas for complex evaluations rather than creating numerous individual conditions.
Decision elements are essential for creating dynamic, responsive automation that adapts to different scenarios and data conditions. They replace the need for multiple workflow rules and provide more sophisticated branching capabilities than traditional Process Builder, making flows the preferred automation tool for complex business logic in Salesforce.
Flow Record Operations
Flow Record Operations in Salesforce are powerful automation tools that allow administrators to interact with database records within a Flow. These operations enable you to create, read, update, and delete records, commonly referred to as CRUD operations.
**Get Records** retrieves records from the Salesforce database based on specified criteria. You can filter records using conditions, sort them, and choose how many records to return. This element stores the retrieved data in variables for use later in the flow.
**Create Records** allows you to insert new records into any object. You can create single records or multiple records at once by mapping flow variables to field values. This is useful for automating record creation based on user input or triggered events.
**Update Records** modifies existing records in the database. You can update records retrieved earlier in the flow or specify filter criteria to identify which records to update. Field values can be set using flow variables, formulas, or static values.
**Delete Records** removes records from the database. Similar to update operations, you can delete records stored in variables or use filter conditions to identify records for deletion.
**Key Considerations:**
1. **Bulkification**: Salesforce automatically bulkifies record operations to handle large data volumes efficiently and avoid governor limits.
2. **Governor Limits**: Each flow interview can perform a maximum of 150 DML operations and 100 SOQL queries.
3. **Transaction Context**: Record operations occur within the same transaction, meaning if an error occurs, all changes can be rolled back.
4. **Field Permissions**: Flow record operations respect field-level security and object permissions based on the running user context.
5. **Null Handling**: When updating records, be careful with null values as they can clear existing field data.
Understanding these operations is essential for building efficient automations that properly manage data within your Salesforce organization.
Debugging Flows
Debugging Flows in Salesforce is an essential skill for Platform Administrators to troubleshoot and optimize automation processes. Flow Builder provides built-in debugging capabilities that help identify errors and understand how data moves through your flow.
To debug a flow, open it in Flow Builder and click the Debug button in the toolbar. This launches the debug mode where you can simulate running the flow with test data. You can enter sample values for input variables and see how the flow processes each element step by step.
The debug panel displays valuable information including the path the flow takes through decision elements, the values of variables at each stage, and any fault messages that occur. This visibility helps administrators pinpoint exactly where issues arise within complex flows.
Key debugging features include:
1. **Run Latest Version vs Previous Versions**: You can choose to debug either the latest saved version or an activated version, helping compare behavior between iterations.
2. **Rollback Mode**: Debug sessions can be configured to roll back database changes, preventing test data from affecting your org during troubleshooting.
3. **Debug Details Panel**: Shows element-by-element execution, including which resources were created, updated, or deleted, along with specific field values.
4. **Fault Paths**: When errors occur, the debug log reveals the fault message, helping you understand DML errors, null pointer exceptions, or limit violations.
Best practices for debugging include using descriptive API names for elements, adding fault connectors to handle errors gracefully, and testing with various data scenarios to ensure robust flow behavior.
Administrators should also leverage Debug Logs from Setup for scheduled flows or flows triggered by other users. These logs provide detailed execution information that complements Flow Builders native debugging tools.
Mastering flow debugging ensures your automations run reliably and helps reduce time spent troubleshooting production issues.
Choosing the Right Automation Tool
Choosing the right automation tool in Salesforce is crucial for building efficient business processes. Salesforce offers several automation options, each suited for different scenarios and complexity levels.
**Flow Builder** is the primary recommended tool for most automation needs. It provides a visual interface to create complex business logic, including screen flows for user interactions, record-triggered flows for automated processes, scheduled flows for time-based automation, and platform event-triggered flows for event-driven processes.
**Approval Processes** are specifically designed for scenarios requiring manager sign-off or multi-step approvals. Use these when records need formal review and approval chains before proceeding.
**Legacy Tools** like Process Builder and Workflow Rules are still available but no longer recommended for new implementations. Salesforce advises migrating existing automations to Flow Builder for better performance and maintainability.
**Key Decision Factors:**
1. **Complexity**: Simple field updates may use basic flows, while complex logic with multiple branches requires advanced flow features.
2. **User Interaction**: If users need to input data or make decisions during the process, Screen Flows are appropriate.
3. **Timing**: Consider whether automation should run before save, after save, on a schedule, or when invoked by users.
4. **Record Context**: Determine if the automation affects single records, related records, or performs bulk operations.
5. **Maintenance**: Consider who will maintain the automation and their technical skill level.
**Best Practices:**
- Consolidate automations on the same object to avoid conflicts
- Use one flow per object per trigger timing when possible
- Document your automation logic thoroughly
- Test automation in sandbox environments before deployment
- Consider order of execution when multiple automations exist
By carefully evaluating requirements against each tools capabilities, administrators can select the most appropriate solution that balances functionality, performance, and long-term maintainability.
Order of Execution
Order of Execution in Salesforce refers to the specific sequence in which various operations and automation processes are executed when a record is saved. Understanding this order is crucial for Platform Administrators to troubleshoot issues and design efficient automation solutions.
When a record is saved, Salesforce follows this sequence:
1. **System Validation Rules**: The system first loads the original record or initializes a new one, then performs initial system validations like required fields and field formats.
2. **Before-Save Flows**: Record-triggered flows configured to run before the record is saved execute at this point.
3. **Validation Rules**: Custom validation rules are evaluated to ensure data integrity.
4. **Duplicate Rules**: The system checks for potential duplicate records based on configured duplicate rules.
5. **Record Save**: The record is saved to the database but not yet committed.
6. **After-Save Flows**: Record-triggered flows configured to run after save execute here.
7. **Assignment Rules**: Lead and case assignment rules are evaluated and executed.
8. **Auto-Response Rules**: Email auto-response rules for leads and cases are processed.
9. **Workflow Rules**: Legacy workflow rules are evaluated and field updates execute. If field updates occur, validation rules run again.
10. **Escalation Rules**: Case escalation rules are evaluated.
11. **Processes (Process Builder)**: Process Builder processes execute at this stage.
12. **Roll-Up Summary Fields**: Parent roll-up summary fields are calculated and updated.
13. **Criteria-Based Sharing**: Sharing rules are evaluated and applied.
14. **Commit**: All changes are committed to the database.
15. **Post-Commit Logic**: Email notifications from workflow rules, processes, and flows are sent after the commit.
Understanding this order helps administrators predict behavior when multiple automations interact with the same records and prevents unexpected results or recursive loops in their automation design.
Automation Limits and Considerations
Automation Limits and Considerations in Salesforce are critical boundaries and best practices that administrators must understand to build efficient, scalable automated processes. Salesforce enforces governor limits to ensure shared resources are distributed fairly across all organizations on the platform.
Key automation limits include: Flow interviews per transaction (2,000), SOQL queries per transaction (100), DML statements per transaction (150), and executed Apex triggers per object (1). Process Builder and Flow share these transactional limits, making it essential to design automation thoughtfully.
When designing automation, consider the order of execution. Salesforce processes automation in a specific sequence: validation rules, before triggers, after triggers, assignment rules, auto-response rules, workflow rules, processes, and flows. Understanding this order helps prevent conflicts and unexpected behaviors.
Bulkification is another crucial consideration. Automation should handle multiple records efficiently rather than processing one record at a time. Poorly designed automation can hit limits quickly when processing large data volumes through imports or batch operations.
Recursion prevention is essential. When an automated process updates a record, it can trigger additional automation cycles. Implementing entry criteria or conditions that prevent infinite loops protects your org from hitting limits and causing transaction failures.
Best practices include: consolidating multiple automation tools into a single solution where possible, using before-save flows for simple field updates to reduce DML operations, documenting all automation thoroughly, and testing with realistic data volumes before deployment.
Administrators should also consider the impact on system performance and user experience. Complex automation chains can slow down record saves and frustrate users. Regular audits help identify redundant or conflicting automation that may have accumulated over time.
Finally, Salesforce recommends migrating from Workflow Rules and Process Builder to Flow, as Flow provides better performance, more capabilities, and is the strategic automation tool moving forward. Understanding these limits and considerations ensures reliable, maintainable automation solutions.