What is Sandbox in Salesforce?

Table of Contents

• Types of Salesforce Sandboxes
• Create Sandbox in Salesforce
• Refresh Sandbox in Salesforce
• Salesforce Sandbox Templates
• FAQS

What is a Salesforce Sandbox?

A Salesforce Sandbox is an essential feature that acts as a duplicate of your production environment. It provides developers and administrators with a secure space to test new features, configurations, and code changes without affecting the actual Salesforce organization. This capability ensures that you can experiment and innovate freely, without the risk of disrupting your live data. The sandbox environment mimics your production setup, enabling you to validate changes and ensure they function correctly before they are deployed.

Salesforce Sandboxes are instrumental in enhancing the quality of your applications. By allowing thorough testing and error detection in a controlled setting, sandboxes help identify and fix issues well before they reach the production environment. This preemptive approach ensures that any potential problems are addressed early, leading to more stable and reliable applications. The sandbox environment thus supports safe exploration, continuous learning, and innovation, fostering a more robust development process.

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Types of Salesforce Sandboxes

Salesforce offers different types of sandboxes tailored to various development and testing needs. Understanding the distinctions between these sandbox types helps in selecting the right one for your specific requirements.

1. Developer Sandbox

A Developer Sandbox is a basic, low-cost sandbox designed primarily for individual developers. It contains a copy of your production organization’s metadata, such as configurations, code, and customizations, but no actual data. This type of sandbox is refreshed daily, allowing developers to keep their environment up-to-date with the latest changes from production. It provides a dedicated space for isolated development work, ensuring that ongoing projects do not interfere with each other. Additionally, it supports agile development practices by allowing frequent updates and quick iterations.

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Developer Sandboxes are ideal for small-scale development and testing tasks. They are perfect for creating and testing new code, configuring applications, and performing unit tests. Each developer can have their own sandbox, allowing them to work independently without interference. This isolation ensures that individual projects do not impact each other, fostering a focused development environment. Moreover, they are useful for experimenting with new ideas and prototypes without any risk to the production environment.

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2. Developer Pro Sandbox

The Developer Pro Sandbox is similar to the Developer Sandbox but with a larger storage capacity. It includes metadata as well as a subset of data, making it more suitable for comprehensive development and testing scenarios. This sandbox is also refreshed daily, ensuring that developers can work with recent data without waiting for a full sandbox refresh. It supports more extensive application development, allowing teams to conduct more rigorous testing. The increased storage capacity is beneficial for projects that require handling larger datasets and more complex configurations.

This type of sandbox is ideal for more extensive development projects that require access to more data. It allows for integration testing and quality assurance processes that involve a larger volume of records. Developer Pro Sandboxes support more complex and data-intensive development work. They are particularly useful for projects that require significant data manipulation and testing of integrations with other systems. Additionally, they facilitate collaborative development efforts by providing a shared environment that can accommodate multiple developers.

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3. Partial Copy Sandbox

A Partial Copy Sandbox includes all your production metadata and a sample of your production data. This type of sandbox is designed for testing and development scenarios that require data to validate the functionality and performance of applications. Partial Copy Sandboxes are refreshed every 5 days, providing a balance between data recency and development stability. They offer a more realistic environment for testing by including actual data, which helps in uncovering data-specific issues. This sandbox is ideal for teams that need a reliable dataset for functional testing and validation.

Partial Copy Sandboxes are suitable for user acceptance testing, training, and quality assurance. They enable developers and testers to work with a realistic set of data, which helps in identifying issues that might only arise with specific data sets. This makes them particularly useful for scenario-based testing and data validation. Additionally, they are beneficial for replicating specific use cases and user experiences in a controlled environment. Partial Copy Sandboxes are also useful for conducting training sessions with data that closely resembles the production environment, enhancing the learning experience.

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4. Full Copy Sandbox

A Full Copy Sandbox is a complete replica of your production environment, including all metadata and data. This type of sandbox is the most comprehensive and is intended for thorough testing and staging before deploying to production. Full Copy Sandboxes are refreshed every 29 days, ensuring that they remain as close to the production environment as possible. This allows for extensive end-to-end testing, ensuring that all aspects of the application function correctly. The Full Copy Sandbox supports a wide range of testing activities, from functional to performance testing.

Full Copy Sandboxes are ideal for performance testing, load testing, and staging. They are used to simulate production environments as closely as possible, making them perfect for final testing before deployment. These sandboxes support extensive quality assurance processes, ensuring that any changes will work seamlessly once moved to production. They are essential for end-to-end testing and validating large-scale changes in a realistic setting. Additionally, Full Copy Sandboxes are invaluable for conducting user acceptance testing with a fully representative dataset, ensuring that the application meets all user requirements before going live.

How to create Sandbox in Salesforce?

Access Setup Menu

Creating a Salesforce Sandbox is a straightforward process that begins by logging in to your Salesforce account as an administrator. Once logged in, you need to access the Setup menu by clicking on the gear icon in the upper-right corner and selecting “Setup.” In the Setup menu, use the Quick Find box on the left-hand side to search for “Sandboxes” and click on the “Sandboxes” link under the Environments section. This will take you to the Sandboxes page where you can manage existing sandboxes and create new ones.

Create New Sandbox

To create a new sandbox, click the “New Sandbox” button on the Sandboxes page. This action will open the Create Sandbox page, where you can start configuring your new sandbox. The first step in the configuration process is to choose the type of sandbox you want to create: Developer, Developer Pro, Partial Copy, or Full Copy. Each sandbox type has different storage capacities and refresh intervals, so it is important to choose one that aligns with your development or testing needs.

Name and Describe Your Sandbox

Next, you will need to provide a unique name for your sandbox and, optionally, add a description to help you and other users understand its purpose. After naming your sandbox, confirm the source organization (your production environment) from which the sandbox will be copied. For Partial Copy and Full Copy Sandboxes, you will need to define the data settings, using templates to specify which data to include to ensure relevant datasets are copied.

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Start and Monitor Sandbox Creation

Once all the settings have been reviewed and confirmed, click the “Create” button to initiate the sandbox creation process. The time required to create the sandbox will vary based on the type of sandbox and the amount of data being copied. After starting the creation process, you will be redirected to the Sandboxes page where you can monitor the status of your new sandbox. When the sandbox is ready, you will receive a notification, and it will be listed as “Active” on the Sandboxes page. At this point, you can log in to the sandbox using your credentials and begin your development or testing activities in a safe and isolated environment.

How to refresh Sandbox in Salesforce?

Refreshing a Salesforce Sandbox is a crucial step to ensure that your sandbox environment remains up-to-date with the latest data and configurations from your production environment. This process helps maintain an accurate and relevant testing and development space.

Access the Setup Menu

To begin the process of refreshing your Salesforce Sandbox, log in to your Salesforce account as an administrator. Navigate to the Setup menu by clicking on the gear icon in the upper-right corner and selecting “Setup.” In the Setup menu, use the Quick Find box on the left-hand side to search for “Sandboxes” and click on the “Sandboxes” link under the Environments section. This will take you to the Sandboxes page where you can manage your existing sandboxes.

Select the Sandbox to Refresh

On the Sandboxes page, you will see a list of all your current sandboxes. Locate the sandbox that you want to refresh and click on its name. This will open the sandbox details page, providing information about the sandbox, including its type, status, and last refresh date. Reviewing this information is important to ensure you are refreshing the correct sandbox.

Initiate the Refresh Process

To start the refresh process, click the “Refresh” button on the sandbox details page. This action will prompt you to confirm your decision to refresh the sandbox. It is important to note that refreshing a sandbox will overwrite all existing data and metadata in the sandbox with the data and metadata from the production environment. Ensure that any important changes or data in the sandbox are backed up if necessary.

Configure Refresh Settings

After confirming the refresh, you may be prompted to configure additional settings, especially if you are refreshing a Partial Copy or Full Copy Sandbox. These settings might include defining which data to include in the sandbox. Use templates to specify data subsets that are relevant to your testing and development needs. This step ensures that only necessary data is copied, optimizing the refresh process.

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Monitor the Refresh Progress

Once you have configured the settings and confirmed the refresh, the refresh process will begin. The time required to complete the refresh will depend on the type of sandbox and the amount of data being copied. During this period, you can monitor the progress on the Sandboxes page. The status will update to indicate the ongoing refresh, and you will receive a notification once the refresh is complete.

Post-Refresh Activities

After the sandbox refresh is complete, the status of the sandbox will be updated to “Active.” At this point, you can log in to the refreshed sandbox using your credentials. It is recommended to perform a series of post-refresh activities, such as verifying data integrity, reapplying any sandbox-specific configurations, and ensuring that integrations and automated processes are functioning as expected. These steps help ensure that your sandbox is ready for continued development and testing.

By following these steps, you can effectively refresh your Salesforce Sandbox, maintaining a current and accurate environment that mirrors your production setup. This practice is essential for reliable development and testing, ultimately contributing to the success of your Salesforce projects.

Salesforce Sandbox Templates

Salesforce Sandbox Templates are essential tools that allow you to define the specific data and metadata to be included in your sandbox environments. These templates enable a more tailored and efficient sandbox creation process by including only the relevant information needed for your development and testing activities. There are four primary types of Salesforce Sandbox Templates: Developer, Developer Pro, Partial Copy, and Full Copy. Each serves different purposes and offers unique features.

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Developer Sandbox Template

The Developer Sandbox Template is designed for individual development and small-scale testing. It includes a copy of the metadata from your production environment but does not include any actual data. This template is ideal for developers who need a space to write and test new code, create configurations, and develop applications without the complexities of data management.

Developer Sandbox Templates are perfect for unit testing, code development, and isolated project work. Developers can use this template to experiment with new features, build custom applications, and test configurations in a controlled environment. The absence of production data ensures that there are no risks of data breaches or unwanted data changes during the development process.

Developer Pro Sandbox Template

The Developer Pro Sandbox Template is similar to the Developer Sandbox Template but with a higher storage capacity. It includes metadata and a larger subset of data, making it suitable for more extensive development projects. This template allows for a more comprehensive testing environment where developers can work with more data to validate their applications.

This template is ideal for integration testing, complex development tasks, and quality assurance processes that require a larger volume of records. Developer Pro Sandbox Templates support more robust development activities, enabling teams to perform in-depth testing and validation. This ensures that the developed applications and configurations work seamlessly when deployed to the production environment.

Partial Copy Sandbox Template

The Partial Copy Sandbox Template includes all the metadata from the production environment and a sample of the production data. This type of sandbox is designed for testing and development scenarios that require data to validate the functionality and performance of applications. The template allows users to specify which data to include, ensuring that relevant datasets are available for testing.

Partial Copy Sandbox Templates are ideal for user acceptance testing, training, and scenario-based testing. They provide a realistic environment where testers can work with actual data, helping to identify issues that might only arise with specific datasets. This template is particularly useful for validating data-related functionalities and conducting training sessions that mimic real-world scenarios.

Full Copy Sandbox Template

Overview

The Full Copy Sandbox Template is the most comprehensive option, providing a complete replica of your production environment. It includes all metadata and data, making it perfect for thorough testing and staging before deployment. This template ensures that the sandbox environment mirrors the production setup as closely as possible.

Use Cases

Full Copy Sandbox Templates are ideal for performance testing, load testing, and final staging before deployment. They support extensive quality assurance processes by providing an exact copy of the production environment, allowing teams to conduct end-to-end testing. This ensures that any changes made will function correctly in the live environment, reducing the risk of errors and downtime during deployment. Additionally, Full Copy Sandboxes are invaluable for conducting user acceptance testing with a fully representative dataset, ensuring that the application meets all user requirements before going live.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many sandboxes can be created in Salesforce?

The number of sandboxes you can create in Salesforce depends on your Salesforce edition and licensing. For example, Enterprise Edition includes 25 Developer Sandboxes, 1 Developer Pro Sandbox, and 1 Partial Copy Sandbox. Unlimited Edition provides more extensive sandbox capabilities, including multiple Full Copy Sandboxes. To find out the exact number of sandboxes available for your organization, you can check your license details in the Salesforce Setup menu under Sandboxes.

2. How to connect sandboxes to Salesforce?

To connect sandboxes to Salesforce, you need to log in to the sandbox environment using a special URL. Each sandbox has a unique login URL, typically in the format: https://<sandbox-name>.salesforce.com. Use your sandbox username, which often appends the sandbox name to your production username (e.g., user@company.com.sandboxname), and your sandbox password. If necessary, reset your password to ensure access. Once logged in, you can integrate the sandbox with various development and testing tools just like your production environment.

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3. What are the different types of Sandboxes in Salesforce?

Salesforce offers four main types of sandboxes, each designed for specific development and testing needs:

• Developer Sandbox: A basic sandbox for individual development and unit testing.
• Developer Pro Sandbox: Similar to Developer Sandbox but with more storage for data-intensive tasks.
• Partial Copy Sandbox: Includes all metadata and a sample of production data, ideal for testing and training.
• Full Copy Sandbox: A complete replica of the production environment, used for comprehensive testing and staging before deployment.

4. How often can a sandbox be refreshed in Salesforce?

The frequency with which a sandbox can be refreshed depends on its type:

• Developer and Developer Pro Sandboxes: Can be refreshed daily.
• Partial Copy Sandbox: Can be refreshed every 5 days.
• Full Copy Sandbox: Can be refreshed every 29 days. Refreshing a sandbox overwrites its data and metadata with the latest from production, making it crucial to plan refreshes around your development and testing schedules.

5. What is the purpose of using a sandbox in Salesforce?

Sandboxes in Salesforce serve multiple purposes, primarily aimed at enhancing development and testing processes. They provide isolated environments where developers can write and test code without risking the integrity of the production environment. Sandboxes also enable thorough testing of new features and configurations, ensuring any issues are identified and resolved before deployment. Additionally, they are used for training purposes, user acceptance testing, and performance testing, helping to ensure that applications function correctly and efficiently before being released to end-users.

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