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Objects

Objects

Feb 26, 2018

Trailhead provides a really nice overview of Salesforce Custom and Standard Objects and how they are structured https://developer.salesforce.com/trailhead/force_com_introduction/data_modeling/objects_intro.

Setting up an Object

The minimum steps required to set up an Object. 

  • Create the Object, name it

  • Set the Name field on the object - eg Auto Number

  • Set the details on the Object

    • Allow Reports

    • Allow Activities (optional)

    • Track Field History

    • Set Deployed

    • Allow Search

    • Create Tab

  • Create the Tab for this Object

    • Decide who should access the Tab

    • Decide which App the Tab should be in - HINT! NOT ALL OF THEM!

  • Optional - Create Record Types

  • Add the Fields to the Object

    • Include Help Text

    • Set correct Permissions as you are creating the field

    • Include Lookup or MD fields to other objects. 

      • Remember to set the Lookup Filters if required.

  • Edit the Page Layout to ensure that all the fields are visible and in the right location

    • Make the Section header visible for System Fields

    • Ensure required fields are required. 

    • Add Files and Notes related list (if you are using them). 

    • Add Object History related list

    • Override the Salesforce Mobile and Lightning Experience Actions

      • Set the exact Actions you want to appear on the Object

  • Optional - Create other Page Layouts if required for other Record Types

  • Optional - Create a Create Record Action from a related Object

    • Ensure the Layout is correct with all the required fields required for Creating the record

  • Optional - Create an Update Record Action for this object so records can be bulk updated from the list view

  • Create the Compact Layout and assign it to the Page Layout

  • Set the Search Layouts - IMPORTANT! 

  • If there are any buttons to add to the List View, then add them

  • Optional - add any Validation Rules 

  • Set permissions on Object

    • Optional - Set Record Types defaults

  • Enable Feed Tracking for the Object

  • Look at the Object, create a Test Record. 

  • Edit the Lightning Page. See Lightning Record Pages

    • Chatter first

    • Delete Related

    • Add Related List Quick Links IF there are related lists. 

    • Add Files as a Related List under Chatter. 

    • Activate Page - Assign as Org Default.

  • Go to the Tab

    • Edit the All View

    • If there are any Record Types, create a View for each Record Type

    • (Ensure you go back to Classic if this will be in Communities to ensure Communities users can't see Inappropriate Views). 

Fields

This video from Trailhead is a really good overview of creating fields https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95gONjVNFU#t=11

  • The most annoying thing about fields is not seeing ALL fields in alpha order - so have a good idea of what are the custom and standard fields in your org. 

  • Also see each object below for the standard fields that are not set as visible by default, which is kinda annoying (eg Contacts). 

  • The most important thing about fields is the security https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=admin_fls.htm

See Rules for Fields

Relationships

Trailhead has a good overview of Relationships https://developer.salesforce.com/trailhead/force_com_introduction/data_modeling/object_relationships

Remember, Master Detail relationships are great, but you can always use triggers, or Rollup Helper to create calculated fields if you don't have a Master Detail relationship. 

Standard Objects in more detail