Formula Function Costs in Salesforce?

Question:

What are the compiled costs of each formula function in Salesforce, and how do these costs contribute towards the 5000 compiled character formula limit?

Answer:

In Salesforce, each formula function has a compiled cost that adds to the 5000-character compiled formula limit. The compiled size of a formula is the sum of all the individual costs of the operators, functions, and fields used in the formula. Understanding these costs is crucial for optimizing formulas and staying within the limit.

CRS Info Solutions provides top Salesforce training in India with real-time projects, certification guidance, interview coaching, and a practical, job-ready approach.

Here is a breakdown of compiled costs for common formula functions and operators. Note that these costs are approximate and may vary depending on the function’s arguments or Salesforce updates:

Math Operators:

+  : 3  
-  : 3  
*  : 3  
/  : 3  
^  : 9  
() : 1 each (each pair costs 2)  

Explanation:

• Basic math operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division have relatively low costs (3 each), making them efficient for frequent use.
• Exponential operations (^) are significantly more expensive (9), so use them judiciously in complex calculations.
• Parentheses add 2 to the formula’s cost per pair, emphasizing the importance of optimizing grouping in complex expressions.

Logical Operators and Functions:

AND (&&): 7 for two parameters, 6 for each additional parameter  
CASE    : 27 for 4 parameters, 12 for each additional pair of parameters  
          When using a picklist field, 84 for 4 parameters, 64 for each additional pair  
IF      : 26  
NOT (!) : 6  
OR (||) : 6 for two parameters, 5 for each additional parameter  
<, >, = : 3  
>=, <=, <>: 4  

Explanation:

• Logical expressions like AND and OR vary in cost depending on the number of parameters. For example:
• AND starts at 7 for two parameters and adds 6 per additional parameter.
• OR starts at 6 and adds 5 for each extra parameter.
• CASE and IF functions are costlier, with CASE using 27 for 4 parameters and increasing significantly when additional parameters or picklist fields are involved. Use CASE sparingly when optimizing formula limits.Comparison operators (<, >, =) are relatively inexpensive at 3, while compound comparisons (<=, >=, <>) cost slightly more at 4.

Text Operators and Functions:

& (concatenate): 4  
CASESAFEID    : ~2073, depends on the object and field  
CONTAINS      : 58 + length of the value  
HYPERLINK     : Base of 88, increases by 1 per character in URL or friendly name  
LEFT          : 26 + length of value  
LEN           : 15  
TEXT (Number) : 42  
TEXT (DateTime): 64  
UPPER/LOWER   : 37  

Explanation:

• Concatenation (&) has a low cost of 4, but operations like HYPERLINK can escalate depending on the length of the URL or friendly name.
• Functions like LEFT, UPPER, and LOWER are moderately expensive, ranging from 26 to 37 depending on the operation and input length.
• The CASESAFEID function is highly expensive (~2073), varying based on object and field, so its use should be minimized where possible.

Date and Time Functions:

DATEVALUE   : 30  
DAY         : 19  
MONTH       : 21  
NOW         : 7  
TODAY       : 9  
YEAR        : 20  

Explanation:

• Date and time functions like NOW, TODAY, and DATEVALUE are generally low-cost, making them efficient for time-based calculations.
• Functions extracting specific components from dates (DAY, MONTH, YEAR) have moderate costs ranging from 19 to 21.

Math Functions:

ABS  : 5  
EXP  : 5  
LN   : 4  
ROUND: 9 + length of precision argument  
SQRT : 6  

Explanation:

• Common mathematical functions like ABS, EXP, and LN have low costs (4 to 5), making them efficient for basic formulas.
• More complex functions like ROUND and SQRT are moderately expensive, with costs depending on precision or input.

Other Notes:
Some optimizations exist within the Salesforce formula compiler. For instance, mathematical operations involving constants are precomputed, reducing their cost. A formula like 1 + 5 compiles to a single character because its result, 6, is static. Similarly, functions like NULLVALUE may incur no cost if the field is required.

The costs of certain functions such as ISCHANGED, ISNEW, BLANKVALUE, and others are not yet definitively established, as their compiled size can depend on specific contexts or configurations. This variability necessitates measuring these costs by comparing formula sizes before and after including the function.

Summing Up:

Understanding the compiled costs of formula functions in Salesforce is crucial for optimizing formulas and staying within the 5000-character limit. Each operator and function contributes a specific cost based on its complexity and arguments, with some functions, like CASESAFEID or HYPERLINK, incurring significantly higher costs than simpler operations. Additionally, Salesforce’s compiler applies optimizations, such as precomputing constants, to minimize costs where possible. By analyzing these costs and structuring formulas efficiently, developers can ensure compliance with limits while maintaining formula functionality and performance.

Empower Your Career with Salesforce Training in India

Elevate your professional journey with CRS Info Solutions’ top-rated Salesforce training, crafted to provide the skills and expertise required to excel in the ever-evolving Salesforce ecosystem. Our industry-focused courses span Salesforce Admin, Developer, and AI modules, blending in-depth theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience through practical, real-world projects. Whether you’re new to Salesforce or a seasoned professional, our well-structured program ensures you master the tools and techniques needed to stand out.

With a strong emphasis on practical application, Salesforce training in India we offer personalized mentorship, detailed study resources, and expert-led certification preparation to fully equip you for success in interviews and beyond. Gain the confidence and skills to thrive in your Salesforce career.

Don’t wait—join our free demo class today and take the first step toward a rewarding future! Enroll now for a free demo!!!