Are you struggling to understand the Salesforce order of execution? Don't worry; you're not alone. Many Salesforce administrators and developers find this concept confusing at first. But fear not because, in this article, we will crack the code and help you understand the order in which Salesforce processes data and performs actions.

Various elements are at play, from triggers to workflows, validation rules to roll-up summaries, when executing actions in Salesforce. Understanding the sequence in which these actions are executed is crucial for maintaining data integrity and producing accurate results.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the Salesforce order of execution step by step. We will explore the different phases and their respective processes and dive into each stage's specifics. By the end of this article, you will have a solid grasp of how Salesforce handles your data and performs actions, allowing you to optimize your code and improve your overall Salesforce experience.

So, let's get started and demystify the Salesforce order of execution together!

Why understanding the Order of Execution is important

To fully leverage the power of Salesforce, it is essential to understand the order in which it processes data and performs actions. This knowledge enables you to design and implement your Salesforce solutions in a way that ensures data integrity, maintains compliance, and maximizes efficiency.

The order of execution determines the sequence in which various processes, such as triggers, workflows, and validation rules, are executed. It governs how Salesforce handles record operations, such as insert, update, and delete, as well as how it takes field updates and calculations.

Without a clear understanding of the order of execution, you may encounter unexpected behaviors, data inconsistencies, or performance issues. By familiarizing yourself with this process, you can proactively address potential challenges and optimize your code to enhance your Salesforce application's performance.

Overview of the Salesforce Order of Execution

The Salesforce order of execution consists of several phases, each serving a specific purpose in the data processing and action execution flow. Let's take a high-level look at these phases:

1. Loading and Initialization:

• Original records are loaded or initialized for upsert operations, and new values overwrite old ones.

2. Validation Checks:

• Various checks are performed depending on the request type, including compliance with layout rules, required values, field formats, and custom validation rules.

3. Pre-Save Operations:

• Most system validation steps are re-run in record-triggered flows before triggers are executed.

4. Duplicate Rules:

• If a record is identified as a duplicate, the save is blocked.

5. Database Operations:

• The record is temporarily saved, followed by the execution of after triggers, assignment rules, auto-response rules, and workflow rules. Additional validations and updates may occur.

6. Automation and Flows:

• Various Salesforce Flow automation are executed, and affected records go through the same procedure.

7. Post-Save Operations:

• Record-triggered flows, entitlement rules, roll-up summary field calculations, and Criteria Based Sharing evaluations are executed.

8. Commitment and Post-Commit Logic:

• All DML operations are committed to the database, followed by post-commit logic like sending emails and enqueuing asynchronous Apex jobs.
  

Now that we have an overview of the different phases of the Salesforce order of execution, let's delve into each step in more detail to gain a deeper understanding.

Triggers and their Role in the Order of Execution

Triggers are an essential component of the Salesforce order of execution. They enable you to customize and extend the functionality of your Salesforce application by allowing you to perform additional actions before or after records are saved to the database.

Triggers can be written in Apex, Salesforce's proprietary programming language, and are executed in specific phases of the order of execution before triggers are completed before the record is saved. At the same time, triggers are executed after the record has been saved.

Before triggers are commonly used to perform calculations, validate data, or enforce business rules before saving the record to the database. They allow you to modify field values, perform calculations based on related records, or initiate workflow processes.

After triggers, on the other hand, are used to perform actions that need to occur after the record has been saved. They are often used to update related records, send notifications, or initiate asynchronous processes that are not critical to the immediate transaction.

Triggers can be defined for different types of operations, such as insert, update, delete, or undelete. By leveraging triggers effectively, you can extend the capabilities of Salesforce and automate complex business processes, all while maintaining data integrity and ensuring accurate results.

The different phases of the Order of Execution

As mentioned earlier, the Salesforce order of execution consists of multiple phases, each serving a specific purpose. Let's take a closer look at each stage and the processes that occur within them:

1. Loading and Initialization:

• Retrieves the original record from the database or sets up the record for an upsert statement.
• Overwrites old record field values with new ones from the request.

2. Validation Checks: Salesforce conducts various validation checks based on the request type:

• Standard UI Edit Page:
• Compliance with layout-specific rules.
• Required values at both layout and field-definition levels.
• Validation of field formats and maximum field length.
• Custom validation rules for User object requests.
• Multiline Item Creation (e.g., quote line items, opportunity line items):
• Custom validation rules.
• Other Sources (e.g., Apex application, SOAP API call):
• Validation of foreign keys and restricted picklists.
• Verification of custom foreign keys not referring to the object itself.

3. Pre-Save Operations:

• Execution of record-triggered flows configured to run before saving.
• Execution of all before triggers.
• Re-running most system validation steps, excluding enforcement of layout-specific rules.

4. Duplicate Rules:

• Execution of duplicate rules, blocking the save if identified as a duplicate.

5. Database Operations:

• Temporary saving of the record to the database.
• Execution of all after triggers, assignment, auto-response, and workflow rules.
• Additional updates and validations if there are workflow field updates.
• Execution of before and after update triggers.
• Execution of escalation rules.

6. Automation and Flows:

• Execution of various Salesforce Flow automation, including Processes, Flows launched by processes, and Flows launched by workflow rules.
• Save procedure for affected records by a process or flow executing a DML operation.

7. Post-Save Operations:

• Execution of record-triggered flows configured to run after saving.
• Execution of entitlement rules.
• Calculations and updates for roll-up summary fields in parent and grandparent records.
• Execution of Criteria Based Sharing evaluation.

8. Commitment and Post-Commit Logic:

• Commitment of all DML operations to the database.
• Execution of post-commit logic, such as sending emails and enqueuing asynchronous Apex jobs.
  

Understanding each phase of the order of execution is crucial for designing and implementing practical solutions in Salesforce. It allows you to use the platform's capabilities while ensuring data integrity and accurate results.

Common challenges and pitfalls in the Order of Execution

While understanding the Salesforce order of execution is essential, it is equally important to be aware of common challenges and pitfalls that you may encounter. By proactively addressing these challenges, you can avoid potential issues and ensure a smooth Salesforce experience.

One common challenge is the risk of hitting governor limits. Salesforce limits various resources, such as the number of records that can be processed in a single transaction, the number of SOQL queries that can be executed, or the number of workflow rules that can be triggered. Designing your processes and code to avoid hitting these limits is crucial, as exceeding them can result in performance issues or transaction failures.

Another challenge is managing dependencies between different processes and actions. As you build complex workflows, triggers, and processes, it is essential to consider the dependencies between them. For example, if a workflow rule updates a field value, it may trigger another round of validations and actions, potentially leading to unexpected behaviors or infinite loops. Carefully managing these dependencies and considering the order of execution can help you avoid such pitfalls.

Additionally, troubleshooting issues related to the order of execution can be challenging. When you encounter unexpected behaviors or errors, it can be not easy to pinpoint the exact cause. Salesforce provides various tools and resources, such as debug logs, developer console, and the Apex Interactive Debugger, to help you troubleshoot and identify the root cause of issues. Familiarizing yourself with these tools and leveraging them effectively can significantly simplify troubleshooting.

Best practices for optimizing the Order of Execution

To optimize the Salesforce order of execution and ensure efficient processing of data and actions, consider the following best practices:

1. Minimize the number of workflows and processes: While powerful automation tools, too many can impact performance. Evaluate your processes regularly and consolidate them when possible to reduce the number of evaluations and actions that need to occur.

2. Use selective SOQL queries: When querying records, use selective criteria to retrieve only the necessary data. Avoid querying unnecessary fields or records, as it can increase the number of SOQL queries executed and impact performance.

3. Leverage bulkification: When writing triggers or processes that handle multiple records simultaneously, ensure they are designed to take bulk operations efficiently. Avoid performing complex operations within loops, as it can lead to performance degradation. Instead, leverage collections and bulk processing techniques to optimize performance.

4. Design efficient validation rules: Validation rules are crucial in maintaining data integrity. However, poorly designed validation rules can impact performance and usability. Ensure that your validation rules are concise, focused, and avoid unnecessary complexity. Use formula fields or process builders to perform complex validations instead of relying solely on validation rules.

5. Regularly monitor and optimize governor limits: Monitor governor limits and monitor your organization's usage. Regularly review your code, workflows, and processes to identify areas where you may be approaching or exceeding limits. Optimize your code and processes to stay within the defined limits and ensure optimal performance.

By following these best practices and continuously optimizing your code and processes, you can enhance the performance and efficiency of your Salesforce application.

Tools and resources for troubleshooting Order of Execution issues

When troubleshooting issues related to the Salesforce order of execution, several tools and resources can be helpful. Here are some essential resources to help you diagnose and resolve problems effectively:

1. Debug Logs: Salesforce provides debug logs that capture detailed information about the execution of your code and processes. Enabling debug logs and analyzing the logs can help you identify any issues or unexpected behaviors.

2. Developer Console: The Developer Console is a powerful tool that allows you to write and execute anonymous Apex code and analyze debug logs. It provides a comprehensive view of your code and logs, making troubleshooting and debugging issues easier.

3. Apex Interactive Debugger: The Apex Interactive Debugger is a feature available in the Developer Console that allows you to step through your code and inspect variables at runtime. It can be beneficial in identifying and resolving issues related to the order of execution.

4. Salesforce Trailhead: Salesforce Trailhead is an interactive learning platform that provides guided modules and projects to help you learn and master Salesforce. It offers various trails and modules focused on Apex, workflows, processes, and troubleshooting, which can be valuable resources when troubleshooting order of execution issues.

5. Salesforce Community: The Salesforce Community is a vibrant online community where Salesforce professionals can connect, share knowledge, and seek help. It is an excellent resource for troubleshooting, as you can ask questions and learn from experienced community members.

By leveraging these tools and resources, you can troubleshoot and resolve the order of execution issues efficiently, ensuring a smooth Salesforce experience.

Understanding the Salesforce Order of Execution is just the beginning of mastering the intricate world of Salesforce. If you've found this guide helpful, you may also be interested in learning about common challenges that can arise during Salesforce implementation.

In my article "Dodging Detours: Avoid the 7 Most Common Salesforce Implementation Pitfalls", I delve into the potential roadblocks you might encounter and provide actionable insights to navigate them successfully. Whether you're about to embark on a Salesforce implementation journey or are already in the thick of it, this guide offers valuable lessons to ensure a smooth and efficient process.

Continue reading to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies to make your Salesforce implementation successful. Read more →