How To Use Different Types of Flow in Salesforce?

How To Use Different Types of Flow in Salesforce?

On March 23, 2025, Posted by , In Salesforce, With Comments Off on How To Use Different Types of Flow in Salesforce?
How To Use Different Types of Flow in Salesforce

Table Of Contents

Salesforce Flow is a powerful tool that enables users to automate simple to complex business processes directly within the Salesforce platform. Think of Salesforce Flow as a digital flowchart where each box represents an action, and the connections between them define the order and conditions under which these actions occur. Unlike traditional code-based approaches, Flow provides a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible even to those without a technical background.

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In this blog, you’ll learn about:

  • Different types of Salesforce Flows and their features.
  • When to use each type of Flow with practical examples for real-world scenarios.

Types of Flow in Salesforce

Let’s explore the five main types of Salesforce Flows and how to best use them.

1. Screen Flows: User-Guided Processes

Screen Flows allow for interactive, user-guided processes. They enable users to make choices, enter data, and navigate through multiple screens.

When to Use:

  • When user involvement or decision-making is necessary.
  • For guiding users through complex processes or data collection.

Key Features:

  • Screens: Create custom user interfaces for data collection or display.
  • Choices: Provide users with options or allow custom entries.
  • Dynamic Layouts: Adjust the screen layout based on user inputs for a tailored experience.

How to Use: In the Flow Builder, select Screen Flow and design the interface using the Screen component. Add forms, prompts, or navigation steps to create a journey for the user. Once complete, embed the flow in a Lightning Page, button, or action for easy access.

Example:

// Screen Flow Example
// This flow collects donor information for a non-profit organization.
{
  Screen1: {
    label: "Donor Information",
    fields: [
      { name: "Donor Name", type: "Text", required: true },
      { name: "Donation Amount", type: "Currency", required: true },
      { name: "Donation Type", type: "Picklist", choices: ["One-Time", "Recurring"] }
    ]
  },
  Screen2: {
    label: "Additional Details",
    conditions: "Donation Amount > 1000", // Show this screen for large donations
    fields: [
      { name: "Recognition Preference", type: "Picklist", choices: ["Public", "Anonymous"] }
    ]
  }
}

Real-World Scenario: A non-profit uses a Screen Flow to guide staff through entering new donor details, selecting donation categories, and dynamically showing fields based on donation type and amount.

See also: Salesforce OWD Interview Questions and Answers

2. Auto-Launched Flows: Background Automation Without User Interaction

Auto-launched Flows are designed to run in the background, automating tasks without requiring any user input.

When to Use:

  • For processes that need to trigger automatically, such as record creation or updates.
  • When no user inputs or screens are needed.

Triggering Auto-Launched Flows: These flows can be triggered by Process Builder, Apex, or other Flows.

How to Use: In Flow Builder, initiate an Auto-launched Flow and design the logic with the required elements. After activation, use tools like Process Builder to trigger the flow based on specific criteria.

Example: 

// Auto-Launch Flow Example
// This flow triggers when an Opportunity is marked "Closed-Won" and performs follow-up actions.
{
  Trigger: "Opportunity Closed-Won",
  Actions: [
    { action: "Create Contract Record", object: "Contract" },
    { action: "Notify Finance Team", message: "New contract needs processing" },
    { action: "Update Customer Status", field: "Status", value: "Active" }
  ]
}

Real-World Scenario: In a sales team, when a deal is marked “Closed-Won,” an auto-launched flow creates a contract, notifies the finance team, and updates the customer’s status.

See also: Accenture LWC Interview Questions

3. Scheduled Flows: Automation on a Set Schedule

Scheduled Flows allow for processes to run on predefined intervals or specific dates.

When to Use:

  • For recurring tasks, like monthly data audits or quarterly reporting.
  • When actions need to occur at specific times, independent of other events.

Configuring Scheduled Triggers: Specify the execution time and schedule the flow for daily, weekly, or monthly intervals.

How to Use: In Flow Builder, configure a Scheduled Flow by defining trigger conditions, like record creation or update. Specify the action sequence and execution timing. Once configured, save, test, and activate.

Example:

// Scheduled Flow Example
// This flow runs on the last day of each quarter to generate financial reports.
{
  Schedule: "Quarterly",
  TriggerDate: "Last Day of Quarter",
  Actions: [
    { action: "Generate Report", reportType: "Quarterly Financial" },
    { action: "Email Report", recipient: "Finance Team" }
  ]
}

Real-World Scenario: A financial firm uses a scheduled flow to automatically generate quarterly reports on the last day of each quarter, emailing the finance team the completed report.

See also: Salesforce Developer interview questions for 5 years experience

4. Platform Event-Triggered Flows: Reacting to Platform Events

Platform Event-Triggered Flows are designed to respond to platform events and custom notifications from Salesforce or external sources.

When to Use:

  • To automate responses to specific Salesforce events or external system changes.
  • For quick responses to system notifications or changes.

Setting Up Event Listeners: Configure the flow to listen for platform events, triggering actions when events occur.

How to Use: In Flow Builder, set up a Platform Event-Triggered Flow to define the actions that should follow an event. Save, test, and activate once the setup is complete.

Example:

// Platform Event-Triggered Flow Example
// This flow triggers when a new order is placed on an e-commerce platform.
{
  Event: "Order Placed",
  Actions: [
    { action: "Update Inventory", item: "SKU", quantity: "Order Quantity" },
    { action: "Send Confirmation Email", to: "Customer Email" },
    { action: "Update Order Status", status: "Processing" }
  ]
}

Real-World Scenario: In an e-commerce integration, a Platform Event-Triggered Flow in Salesforce responds to an order event, updating inventory, processing the order, and notifying the customer.

See also: Salesforce SOQL and SOSL Interview Questions

5. Record-Triggered Flows: Automation on Record Changes

Record-Triggered Flows are designed to automate actions when a record is created or modified. These flows are ideal for real-time responses to record changes.

When to Use:

  • When automation is needed upon creation or modification of a record.
  • For updating fields, creating records, or executing actions conditionally.

Configuring Record Triggers: Configure the flow to run either before or after a record is saved:

  • Before-save: Efficient for updating the same record with no additional database calls.
  • After-save: Allows more complex actions but utilizes other database resources.

How to Use: In Flow Builder, configure a Record-Triggered Flow linked to specific record triggers. Design the actions needed, save, test, and activate the flow.

Example:

// Record-Triggered Flow Example
// This flow triggers when a product’s stock goes below a threshold.
{
  Trigger: "Product Stock Below Threshold",
  Actions: [
    { action: "Create Restock Order", object: "Order", quantity: "Required Restock" },
    { action: "Notify Supply Chain", message: "Product below required level" }
  ]
}

Real-World Scenario: In a retail system, a Record-Triggered Flow automates stock replenishment when a product’s inventory drops below the set threshold.

See also: Salesforce JavaScript Developer Interview Questions

Conclusion

Salesforce Flows offer robust automation capabilities tailored to various business needs. Whether guiding users through interactive processes or handling complex background tasks, Salesforce Flows streamline operations, reduce manual effort, and ensure efficient workflow management. By leveraging the right type of Flow for each scenario, businesses can harness the full potential of Salesforce automation.

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