Creating a record-triggered flow in Salesforce is a fundamental process for automating business processes that respond to changes in Salesforce records. These flows automatically launch when a record is created, updated, or deleted, making them powerful tools for enhancing efficiency and data integrity.
Prerequisites for Flow Creation
Before you begin creating a record-triggered flow, ensure you have the necessary user permissions in your Salesforce environment. This typically involves permissions to manage flows and access the specific objects you intend to automate.
Core Steps: Creating a Record-Triggered Flow
While record-triggered flows are widely used across various Salesforce clouds, the specific steps for initiating one, particularly within contexts like Data Cloud for publishing custom events, follow a precise sequence.
Here's a breakdown of the steps to create a record-triggered flow, drawing upon methods for publishing custom events in Data Cloud:
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access Data Cloud | Navigate to the Data Cloud interface within your Salesforce org. |
| 2 | Locate Flows | Utilize the Quick Find box to search for and select 'Flows'. |
| 3 | Start New Flow | Click the 'New Flow' button to begin the creation process. |
| 4 | Select Flow Type | Choose 'Start From Scratch', then specifically select 'Record-Triggered Flow', and click 'Create'. |
| 5 | Define Object | From the 'Object' dropdown, select the relevant Data Cloud action for which you want to publish custom events. |
Detailed Walkthrough
- Access Data Cloud: Begin by navigating to the Data Cloud interface within your Salesforce organization. This is the starting point for creating flows related to Data Cloud functionalities.
- Locate Flows: Once in Data Cloud, use the Quick Find box to search for
Flows, and then select the 'Flows' option from the results. This action takes you to the Flow management page. - Start a New Flow: On the Flow management page, click the New Flow button. This initiates the process of choosing the type of flow you wish to create.
- Select Flow Type: You will be presented with various flow templates. Select Start From Scratch, then specifically choose Record-Triggered Flow, and finally click Create. This defines the automation as one that will run based on record events.
- Define Object: The crucial next step is to specify the object that will trigger the flow. From the Object dropdown menu, select the particular Data Cloud action for which you intend to publish custom events. This selection dictates which record's creation, update, or deletion will cause the flow to execute.
Post-Creation Considerations
After successfully initiating your record-triggered flow and defining its triggering object, the next phase involves configuring its behavior. This includes:
- Trigger Configuration: Deciding whether the flow should run when a record is created, updated, or deleted, or a combination of these.
- Entry Conditions: Setting specific criteria that a record must meet for the flow to run (e.g., only run if a field changes to a certain value).
- Optimization for 2000 Records: Choosing when to run the flow (before save for fast field updates, or after save for related record actions).
- Adding Elements: Dragging and dropping various elements onto the canvas to define the flow's logic, such as updating records, creating tasks, sending emails, or executing Apex actions.
For more in-depth information on Salesforce Flows, including advanced configurations and best practices, refer to official Salesforce documentation and resources like the Salesforce Help portal.
