Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce Schema Builder is a robust tool that provides a visual representation of your data model. It allows administrators and developers to view, design, and modify objects, fields, and relationships in Salesforce effortlessly. Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce expert or a beginner, Schema Builder can simplify your work and enhance your understanding of the Salesforce data architecture.

What is Schema Builder?

Schema Builder is a dynamic tool within Salesforce that visually represents objects, fields, and their relationships. Unlike the traditional method of navigating through object manager tabs, Schema Builder provides a drag-and-drop interface for creating and editing objects and fields directly.

Key Features of Schema Builder

1. Interactive Visualization: View all standard and custom objects along with their relationships in a single diagram.
2. Drag-and-Drop Interface: Create new objects, fields, and relationships without writing any code.
3. Field Details: Easily access field-level information such as data type and API name.
4. Real-Time Updates: The changes made in Schema Builders are reflected immediately in the Salesforce org.
5. Customizable View: Filter objects and relationships to focus on specific areas of your schema.

Benefits of Using Schema Builder

1. Time-Saving: Simplifies the process of designing and modifying your data model.
2. Improved Collaboration: Provides a clear visual representation that can be shared with stakeholders.
3. Reduced Errors: Ensures accuracy in creating fields and relationships by providing instant feedback.
4. Enhanced Understanding: Helps new team members quickly understand the data model.

How to Access Schema Builder

Follow these steps to access Schema_Builder in Salesforce:

1. Log in to your Salesforce org.
2. To access Setup, click the gear symbol in the top-right corner.
3. In the Quick Find box, type Schema Builder.
4. Click on Schema Builder under Objects and Fields as shown in the figure below.

Once the Schema Builders interface opens, you can view and interact with your data model.

Start Using Schema Builder:

1. In the left panel, click Clear All to remove any existing selections.
2. Select the Account, Contact, and Opportunity
3. Click on Auto-Layout to automatically arrange the components.

Once done, the layout will look similar to this:

Note: You can easily drag these objects around the canvas in Schema_Builder. While this doesn’t alter the objects or their relationships, it allows you to better visualize your data model in an organized and meaningful way.

Schema Builder is a powerful tool for showcasing your Salesforce customizations to colleagues or visualizing the seamless flow of data across your system, making it easier to understand and explain your data model.

Using Schema Builder to Create Objects, Fields, and Relationships

Step 1: Create a Custom Object

1. Open Schema Builder.
2. Click on Elements in the top-left corner.
3. Drag the Object icon onto the canvas.
4. Fill in the required details like Object Label, Record Name, Data type, etc.
5. Save the object as shown below.

The object we created, will look like this.

And now you can start adding or creating the fields into the object.

Step 2: Add Fields to an Object

1. Drag the Field icon onto an existing object in the canvas from the Elements.
2. Choose the field type (e.g., Text, Number, Date).
3. Specify field details like Field Label and Field Name.
4. Save the field.

Step 3: Create Relationships Between Objects

1. Drag the Lookup Relationship or Master-Detail Relationship icon onto an object.
2. Specify the related object.
3. Define the relationship settings, such as field names and sharing rules.
4. Save the relationship.

So, the object will look like this after adding the fields.

So, in this way, you can create objects from Schema_Builder itself without going to Object Manager.

Best Practices for Using Schema Builder

1. Plan Your Data Model: Outline your objects, fields, and relationships before starting.
2. Use Filters: Focus on specific objects or relationships to reduce clutter.
3. Collaborate with Teams: Share the Schema Builders view with your team to ensure alignment.
4. Test Before Deployment: Validate the changes in a sandbox environment before applying them in production.

Limitations of Schema Builder

1. Performance Issues: For orgs with large numbers of objects and fields, Schema_Builder can become slow.
2. Limited Functionality: Advanced customizations, like triggers and validation rules, cannot be managed through Schema Builder.
3. No Version Control: Changes made in Schema Builders are not version-controlled, so careful tracking is necessary.

Note: To dive deeper into the considerations for using Schema Builders, feel free to explore further by following this link.

Conclusion

Schema Builder in Salesforce is an invaluable tool for visualizing and managing your data model. By providing a user-friendly interface and real-time updates, it simplifies complex data architecture tasks and improves collaboration across teams.

Happy Reading!

 “Continuous learning is the bridge between where you are and where you aspire to be. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings growth and opens doors to new possibilities.”

Related Posts:

1. Work with Schema_Builder
2. Design your own Data Model with Schema_Builder

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2. Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3. How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Salesforce Dashboards are a powerful tool for visualizing and analyzing data, providing actionable insights for decision-making. Filters enhance these dashboards by allowing users to customize their view of the data, making dashboards dynamic and user-friendly.

In this blog, we will explore how to add filters to Salesforce Dashboards and highlight their benefits and best practices.

Before you Begin:

In the earlier parts of this blog series, we explored what Salesforce Dashboards are, their components, how to create them, as well as Dynamic Dashboards and the steps to set them up. Before diving into this section, I recommend reviewing those blogs for a better understanding.

What Are Dashboard Filters?

Dashboard filters in Salesforce enable users to adjust the data displayed on a dashboard without altering the underlying reports. By applying filters, users can view specific subsets of data, such as a particular region, product, or time frame, directly within the dashboard interface.

Benefits of Using Filters

1. Enhanced User Experience

Filters make dashboards more interactive and user-centric by allowing users to focus on the data that matters to them.

2. Improved Data Analysis

Filters enable deeper insights by providing multiple perspectives on the same set of data.

3. Reduced Dashboard Clutter

Instead of creating multiple dashboards for different criteria, you can use filters to streamline the data presentation in one place.

Prerequisites for Adding Filters

Before adding filters to your Salesforce Dashboard, ensure the following:

• You have “Manage Dashboards” and “Edit Dashboards” permissions.
• The source reports used in the dashboard have fields available for filtering.

Note: If you’re interested in learning how to share Dashboards and Reports with Users, Roles, Partners, Internal Subordinates, and more, click on the link provided for a detailed guide.

Steps to Add Filters to a Salesforce Dashboard

Step 1: Open the Dashboard Editor

1. Navigate to Dashboards in Salesforce.
2. Select the dashboard you want to edit or create a new one.
3. Click Edit to open the dashboard editor.

Step 2: Add a Filter

1. Click the “+ Filter” button in the dashboard editor.
2. In the Field dropdown, select the field you want to use for the filter. The available fields are determined by the source reports. So here, for example, we select the “Annual Revenue” field from Account.
3. Once you select the field, specify the other filter options like Display Name: Annual Revenue.
4. Click on the “Add Filter Value” button as shown in the figure below and start adding filter conditions.
5. Once you add the conditions, click apply to save the filter and repeat the same procedure for more conditions as shown above.
6. After adding all the conditions, click Add as shown in the figure below.
7. Click Save.
8. Click Done.

You can see the difference between a normal dashboard and a dashboard with filters in the below image.

Step 3: Save and Test the Dashboard

1. Once all filters and components are configured, click Save.
2. Test the dashboard by switching between different filter values to ensure the components update correctly.

The results are as shown below:

With these simple steps, you can apply filters to the dashboard to view specific data sets without the need to create a new dashboard or modify the associated reports.

In addition to the above example, you can also apply filters to fields like “Region” in an object. For instance, by setting up a “Region” filter with values such as “North,” “South,” “East,” and “West,” the dashboard data will dynamically adjust to display insights specific to the selected region.

So this feature enhances data visualization by allowing targeted analysis without creating separate dashboards.

Note: The limit for dashboards filter options (also known as filter values or filter criteria) differs from the limit on the total number of dashboard filters. Each dashboard can include up to 5 filters, and each filter can have up to 50 filter options. So this allows for a flexible and detailed data analysis experience, ensuring users can narrow down their results efficiently within these limits.

Best Practices for Using Dashboard Filters

1. Choose Relevant Fields Select fields that align with your user’s needs and provide meaningful data segmentation.
2. Use Descriptive Names Clearly label filters to help users understand their purpose.
3. Limit the Number of Filters Avoid overwhelming users by keeping the number of filters manageable.
4. Validate Data Compatibility Ensure that the fields you use for filters are consistent across the source reports.
5. Test Thoroughly Always test the dashboards filters to confirm they work as expected and provide accurate results.

Common Use Cases for Dashboard Filters

1. Geographic Analysis
   • Filter data by region or country to analyze location-specific trends.
2. Product Performance
   • Apply filters for product categories or specific products to measure sales or performance.
3. Time-Based Insights
   • Use filters for date ranges, such as months, quarters, or years, to study trends over time.

And many more examples.

Conclusion

Adding filters to Salesforce Dashboards is a simple yet impactful way to enhance data visualization and user experience. By allowing users to customize their view, filters make dashboards more dynamic and insightful. By following the above implementation steps and best practices, you can create powerful dashboards.

Happy Reading!

 “Manifestation begins with belief—what you focus your thoughts and energy on becomes the blueprint for your reality. Dream it, feel it, and work towards it with unwavering faith.”

Related Posts:

1. Add a Dashboard Filter
2. Filter a Dashboard

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2. Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3. How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Public Groups in Salesforce are a versatile and essential feature designed to streamline user management and data sharing across your organization. So these groups provide a convenient way to manage access permissions and ensure seamless collaboration among users, roles, and other groups.

In this blog, we will explore what Public Groups are, their benefits, how to create and manage them, and best practices for their use.

What Are Public Groups in Salesforce?

Public Groups are collections of users, roles, and other public groups that can be used to simplify sharing settings, folder access, and workflow approvals. These groups are defined at the organization level and can be used throughout Salesforce to manage access to records, dashboards, and reports more efficiently.

Public Groups can include:

• Individual users.
• Roles and subordinates.
• Other public groups.

Benefits of Public Groups

1. Streamlined Access Management

Public Groups allow administrators to manage access permissions for multiple users at once, reducing the complexity of assigning permissions individually.

2. Improved Collaboration

By grouping users with shared responsibilities or objectives, Public Groups facilitate better collaboration on shared resources like records, dashboards, and reports.

3. Efficient Workflow Approvals

Public Groups can be used in approval processes, ensuring that the right stakeholders are included in decision-making workflows.

4. Consistency in Sharing Rules

Using Public Groups ensures that sharing rules remain consistent and easier to manage across your Salesforce instance.

Use Cases for Public Groups

1. Folder Access Management
   • Grant access to report folders or dashboard folders for specific teams or departments.
2. Record Sharing
   • Enable group-level access to records such as Accounts, Opportunities, or Cases.
3. Approval Processes
   • Include Public Groups as approvers in multi-step approval processes.
4. Chatter Collaboration
   • Use Public Groups to define access to specific Chatter groups and streamline communication.

Steps to Create a Public Group in Salesforce

1: Navigate to the Setup Page

1. Log in to your Salesforce org.
2. Click the Gear Icon and select Setup.

 2: Access the Public Groups Page

1. In the Setup Quick Find box, type Public Groups.
2. Click on Public Groups under Users as shown in the figure below.

3: Create a New Public Group

1. Click New to create a new group.
2. Fill in the following details:
   • Label: Enter a name for the group (e.g., “Marketing Team North”).
   • Group Name: This is auto-populated based on the label.
   • Description: Provide a brief description of the group’s purpose.
3. Add members to the group by selecting:
   • Users.
   • Roles.
   • Roles and Subordinates.
   • Other Public Groups.

4: Save the Group

1. So after adding the desired members, click Save.
2. The new Public Group is now available for use in sharing settings, approval processes, and other functionalities.

Note: Learn more about the Approval Process in Salesforce and its benefits by following the link provided.

So, by following these simple steps, you can create public groups in Salesforce Org.

Managing Public Groups

1. Editing Groups

• Navigate to the Public Groups page in Setup.
• Click Edit next to the group you want to modify as shown below.
• Update the group name, description, or members as needed.

2. Deleting Groups

• Only delete a group if it’s no longer in use to avoid disrupting workflows or sharing settings.

3. Using Groups in Sharing Rules

• Public Groups can be included in sharing rules to grant access to records based on criteria or ownership.

Best Practices for Using Public Groups

1. Define Clear Naming Conventions
   • Use descriptive and consistent names to make it easier to identify groups (e.g., “Marketing Team/Sales Team/Support Team”).
2. Regularly Audit Group Membership
   • Periodically review group members to ensure they are up-to-date and relevant.
3. Leverage Groups for Reporting and Dashboards
   • Use Public Groups to manage access to shared reports and dashboards effectively. So we have already discussed this. Please follow the links below mentioned in the ‘Related Posts’.

Conclusion

Public Groups in Salesforce are a powerful feature that can simplify access management, enhance collaboration, and streamline workflows. So by understanding how to create and manage these groups effectively, organizations can improve operational efficiency and ensure a more organized Salesforce environment.

Happy Reading !!

 “Every challenge is a hidden opportunity for growth—embrace it with optimism.”

Related Posts:

1. Public Group in Salesforce
2. Public Group Considerations

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce Dashboards provide a powerful way to visualize data, monitor performance, and make data-driven decisions. However, dashboards are only effective when the right people have access to them. Sharing Salesforce Dashboard folders allows teams to collaborate, share insights, and align strategies efficiently.

In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of sharing Salesforce dashboard folders and the required permissions and provide a step-by-step guide to sharing dashboard folders effectively.

Before You Begin:

In the earlier sections of this blog series, I provided an in-depth explanation of Salesforce Dashboards, the various types of dashboard components, and the concept of Dynamic Dashboards in Salesforce. For a comprehensive understanding, I recommend reviewing these sections first using the provided links before proceeding further.

Why Share Salesforce Dashboard Folders?

Collaboration and Alignment

Sharing dashboards fosters collaboration among teams, ensuring everyone has access to key metrics and performance indicators.

Transparency

Managers and team members can view the same data, reducing misunderstandings and improving communication.

Efficient Decision-Making

Shared dashboards provide real-time insights to all stakeholders, enabling quick and informed decisions.

Prerequisites for Sharing Dashboard Folders

Before sharing a dashboard folder, ensure the following:

1. Folder Permissions: You must have “Manage” access to the dashboard folder you want to share.
2. User Permissions: Users with appropriate access levels can only view or manage the shared folder based on the permissions assigned.
3. Folders Enabled: Ensure the dashboards are stored in folders, a feature supported in Lightning Experience and Classic.

Steps to Share Salesforce Dashboard Folders:

Step 1: Navigate to the Dashboards Tab

1. Click on the App Launcher and search for Dashboards.
2. Open the Dashboards tab to access your saved dashboards.

Step 2: Locate the Dashboard Folder

1. In the Dashboards tab, locate the folder that contains the dashboard you wish to share. (All Folders/Created by me)
2. Click the Folder dropdown menu to view all folders.
3. Select the folder you wish to share.

Step 3: Open Dashboard Folder Sharing Settings

1. Click the Folder Options dropdown (represented by three dots or a gear icon) next to the folder name.
2. Select Share from the dropdown menu. So, this action opens the dashboard folder-sharing settings.

Step 4: Add Users, Roles, or Groups

1. So once you click share, a pop-up will appear.
2. A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to add specific users, roles, public groups, or even entire roles and subordinates.
3. Choose Users from the Share With dropdown menu.
4. Use the “Names” field to search for the desired users.
5. Choose the appropriate access level (View, Edit, or Manage) from the “Access” field.
6. So, after selecting the users, click “Share” to complete the process, as illustrated in the figure below.

Note: To give multiple users different accesses, select the desired users and click on share. In the next step, we’ll see how to do this.

Step 5: Assign Access Levels

1. Once you click on “Share,” the selected users, roles, or groups appear in the “Who Can Access” section.
2. After adding a user, role, or group, assign an appropriate access level:
   • Viewer: Can view and run dashboards but cannot edit or share them.
   • Editor: Can view, edit, and run dashboards but cannot share the folder.
   • Manager: Can view, edit, run, and manage dashboards. Managers can also modify sharing settings.
3. Click Done to save the user with the assigned access level, as shown in the figure below.

Step 6: Review and Save Dashboard Sharing Settings

1. Finally, review the list of users, roles, and groups accessing the dashboard folder.
2. Ensure the permissions align with organizational policies and data security standards.
3. Click Done to save the changes.

Use Case: Sharing a Sales Dashboard with the Team

Imagine you have a Sales Performance dashboard that tracks key metrics like closed deals, pipeline value, and win rates. But You want to share this dashboard with your sales team and managers:

1. Create a public group named Sales Team in Salesforce Setup.
2. Add all sales team members and managers to this group.
3. Share the Sales Performance dashboard folder with the Sales Team group and assign Viewer access to members and Manager access to team leads.

This setup ensures that everyone on the sales team can access the dashboard, while team leads have additional privileges to edit or manage it.

Best Practices for Sharing Dashboard Folders

1. Assign Permissions Based on Need

• Use the principle of least privilege: assign only the permissions users need to perform their roles.
• For example, give Viewer access to most users and Editor or Manager access to team leads or analysts.

2. Use Public Groups for Efficiency

• Instead of adding individual users, create Public Groups in Salesforce. So this approach simplifies folder management and ensures consistency.

3. Maintain Data Security

• Ensure sensitive data on dashboards is shared only with authorized personnel.
• Use role-based sharing to restrict access to specific users based on their job functions.

Common Issues When Sharing Dashboard Folders

1. Missing Manage Access

Ensure you have Manage Access to the folder before attempting to share it. So without it, you won’t see the sharing options.

2. Permissions Mismatch

Users may still face access issues if the underlying report folders aren’t shared with the same permissions. So always ensure the report folder permissions align with the dashboard folder permissions.

Note: If you would like to learn how to share Lightning Report Folders in Salesforce, please follow the link mentioned above.

Conclusion

Sharing Salesforce dashboard folders is straightforward but essential to fostering collaboration and transparency across teams. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can ensure that the right people have the right level of access to critical data, empowering them to make informed decisions.

Happy Reading!

 “Learning is a path, not a destination, and every step forward matters.”

Related Posts:

1. Share a Lightning Dashboard Folder
2. Embrace Folder Sharing in Reports and Dashboards

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2. Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3. How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce offers a range of reporting formats to help businesses understand and analyze their data. Among these, Joined Reports stand out as one of the most powerful reporting tools. They allow users to combine and compare data across multiple report types and objects within a single report.

In this blog, we’ll explore what joined reports are and when to use them, and provide a step-by-step guide to creating and customizing a joined report in Salesforce.

Before you Begin:

In the earlier sections of this blog, we discussed the steps to create Tabular, Summary, and Matrix Reports in Salesforce. If you haven’t already, please review those sections using the provided links to ensure a better understanding.

What is a Joined Report in Salesforce?

A Joined Report in Salesforce is a report format that lets users add multiple report types, known as blocks, within a single report view. Each block represents a separate report and can pull data from different objects. This report type is ideal for displaying data from multiple sources side-by-side, allowing you to analyze relationships between different datasets effectively.

Key Features of Joined Reports:

• Multi-Object Data Comparison: Join data from multiple objects or related lists.
• Block-Based Structure: Add up to five blocks, each with unique filters and groupings.
• Customizable Filters: Apply filters to each block individually or use cross-block filters for global analysis.
• Dashboards Compatibility: Add joined reports to dashboards for a more interactive data experience.

When to Use a Joined Report

Joined reports are especially useful when:

• You want to compare data from multiple objects, like accounts and opportunities, in a single view.
• You need to analyze related data from different perspectives, such as comparing closed-won opportunities by region.
• You want to identify trends, such as comparing cases resolved with opportunities closed by product or account.

How to create a Joined Report in Salesforce

Let’s go through the steps to create a joined report that will allow you to analyze data from different objects in one view.

Step 1: Open the Reports Tab

1. Go to the App Launcher and search Reports.
2. Select Reports.
3. Once in the Reports tab, click on New Report.

Step 2: Select the Report Type

1. Choose the primary report type that will serve as the foundation for your joined report.
   For example, here I’m selecting Opportunities because I want to start by viewing opportunity data.
   
2. Click “Start Report” to open the report builder and start creating the report.

Step 3: Convert to a Joined Report Format

1. In the report builder, locate the Format dropdown menu in the top-left corner as shown in the figure below.
2. Select Joined Report from the format options. The report layout will change, allowing you to add blocks for each dataset you wish to compare.
3. Click Apply.

This step makes your normal report a Joined Report.

Step 4: Add Additional Report Blocks

1. Click Add Block as shown below to add another dataset to your report. Each block you add can pull data from a different report type.
2. Choose the report type for each additional block.
3. Here for example we are adding a Cases block to view cases alongside opportunities.
   
4. Click on “Add Block” to include the desired report type in your report.
5. Once you added the block to the report builder, your report will look as shown below.

Note: Repeat this step to add up to five blocks, if needed, to cover multiple report types.

Step 5: Configure Block-Specific Filters

Each block has its own set of filters, allowing for individualized data filtering.

1. Click Filters within each block to adjust its dataset/records.
2. Apply relevant filters to narrow down the data displayed in each block as per your requirements. For example, you could filter opportunities by a specific Stage and cases by Status as shown in the figure below.

Note: These filters operate independently, allowing you to create precise, context-specific views within each block.

Step 6: Add Columns to Each Block

Add fields to each block to customize the data displayed:

1. In the Outline panel, click Add Column within each block to add the fields you want to display, such as Amount for opportunities or Case Status for cases.
2. You can also use drag-and-drop functionality to arrange columns as needed.
3. Customize each block’s columns to highlight the unique data points that matter most for your analysis.

Step 7: Group Data within Each Block

Grouping in the Salesforce Reports makes the reports structured and easy to summarize.

1. Go to the Outline Panel: In the Group Block section, type Account Name and select it to create a grouping.
2. Group Across Blocks: This action will group records across multiple blocks, such as Opportunity and Case blocks.
3. As shown in the image above in Step 6, Account Name serves as a common field for both blocks, enabling seamless alignment of related Opportunities and Cases for each Account.

So joined reports help to scan the data faster across the blocks.

Step 8: Add Summaries to Each Block

Summaries allow you to calculate aggregate metrics, such as sums or averages.

1. Click on a numeric column, such as Amount, within each block and choose a summary function (e.g., Sum, Average, Min, Max).
2. Summaries will display totals or averages at the bottom of each grouping level as shown in the figure below.
3. These summaries can provide useful insights into total sales, case resolution counts, or other key metrics across the blocks. Please refer to the below image.

Step 9: Preview and Fine-Tune the Report

Click Run to preview your joined report and ensure it meets your analysis needs. At this stage, review the data, groupings, and summaries to make sure the report layout is aligned with your goals.

Step 10: Add a Chart (Optional)

Charts can enhance the visual impact of your joined report by summarizing data visually:

1. Click Add Chart at the top of the report builder.
2. Click “gear icon” – Chart Properties.
3. Select the chart type (e.g., bar, pie) that best matches your data. Here we are selecting “Bar Chart”
4. Configure the chart options to reflect the desired visuals for the report.
5. Click Save.

Step 11: Save and Share the Report

When your report is ready, save it for easy access and sharing.

1. Click Save & Run to save the report.
2. Name your report and add a description if needed.
3. Choose a folder to save it in, selecting either a public or private folder based on access needs.

Example Use Cases for Joined Reports

Here are some common scenarios where joined reports can be especially helpful:

1. Sales Performance by Region and Product: Compare sales opportunities across different regions and products.
2. Customer Support Analysis: View open cases, resolved cases, and case priority for each account and more.

Benefits of Joined Reports

• Holistic Data Analysis: View and analyze data across multiple objects in one report.
• Flexible Filtering: Apply filters and cross-block filters for precise data views.
• Multi-Dimensional Summaries: Summarize data independently within each block for powerful insights.

Limitations of Joined Reports

• Report Limits: Joined reports support up to five blocks, which may be restrictive for larger datasets.
• Performance: Loading times may be slower for joined reports containing large datasets.
• Formatting Complexity: Joined reports are more complex to set up and may require advanced Salesforce reporting skills.

Conclusion

Joined reports in Salesforce offer a unique and powerful way to combine data from multiple sources, enabling users to create detailed, comparative insights within a single report. By using the blocks we studied above, you can break down information across various report types and display it side by side for enhanced data analysis.

With this step-by-step guide, you can create joined reports that provide multi-dimensional insights for the report’s data.

Happy Reading !!

 “True growth comes not from what you achieve, but from the challenges you overcome and the lessons you carry forward.”

Related Posts:

1. Create a Joined Report
2. Combine Different Types of Information in a Joined Report

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce provides users with versatile reporting tools to manage and visualize data effectively, and Matrix Reports stand out as one of the most powerful report formats in Salesforce. Matrix reports allow users to group records by both rows and columns, making them highly valuable for detailed data analysis across multiple dimensions. This type of report is ideal when you need to track complex metrics, such as performance across various regions and time periods, or analyze data by both category and subcategory.

In this blog, we’ll explain Matrix Reports and when to use them, as well as provide a step-by-step guide for creating one in Salesforce.

Before You Begin:

In the previous parts of this blog, we covered the steps for creating a Tabular Report and Summary Report in Salesforce. Please go through them first by following the mentioned links.

What is a Matrix Report in Salesforce?

A Matrix Report in Salesforce is a type of report that groups records by both row and column, allowing for a two-dimensional data analysis. Unlike tabular or summary reports, which only group records by a single dimension, matrix reports provide a structured data view across two groups. This setup allows users to summarize data more comprehensively, making it easy to detect trends, compare categories, and gain insights across multiple dimensions.

Key Features of Matrix Reports

• Dual Grouping: Group data by both rows and columns for a comprehensive view.
• Summarized Metrics: Use aggregate functions such as sum, average, min, max, and count to display meaningful totals.
• Conditional Highlighting: Highlight values based on specific conditions for quick analysis.
• Compatibility with Dashboards: Use matrix reports as data sources for dashboards and visualize complex data relationships with ease.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating a Matrix Report in Salesforce

Let’s go through the steps to create a Matrix Report to provide insights into data from multiple angles.

Step 1: Navigate to the Reports Tab

1. Go to the App Launcher and search for Reports.
2. Click Reports. This will navigate you to the reports tab.
3. Once in the Reports tab, click New Report to start creating a new report.

Step 2: Select the Report Type

1. When you click “New Report,” Salesforce prompts you to choose a Report Type. This selection determines which objects the report will use as data sources.
2. Choose the main object you want to report, such as Opportunities or Cases.
3. If you need data from related objects, select a relevant report type that includes them (e.g., Opportunities with Products or Accounts with Contacts). If available, you may also select “Custom Report Type“.
4. For now, please select “Opportunity – Standard Record Type” and click “Start Report” to continue, as illustrated in the figure below.

Step 3: Add Filters to Refine Data

Before grouping data, apply filters to narrow down the dataset:

1. Date Filters: Choose a date range, such as Close Date for opportunities, to focus on a specific time period.
2. Standard Filters: Adjust ownership filters to display records owned by specific users or teams.
3. Custom Filters: Add any specific field-based filters to isolate specific records, such as filtering by opportunity stage or account type.

Step 4: Add Columns for Display

To prepare for grouping, add columns to display in your report:

1. In the Outline panel on the left, click Add Column to add the fields you want to include in your report.
2. For instance, in an opportunity report, you might add the Opportunity Name, Amount, Close Date, Stage, and Account Name.

Step 5: Group Data by Rows and Columns

Grouping data by rows and columns transforms a standard report into a matrix report.

1. Click the down arrow on the column header and choose Group Rows by This Field to select the first field for row grouping. For example, you could group by Stage to see opportunities by sales stage.
2. For column grouping, select a second field. In our example, you might group by Close Date by Fiscal Quarter or Region.
3. You can also add sub-groupings to make your matrix report more detailed.
4. Once you group the records by rows and columns, it will look as follows.

Step 6: Summarize Data with Aggregates

Once your groupings are set, apply summary calculations to provide totals for each group.

1. In the report builder, click the down arrow on a numeric field, such as Amount.
2. Select the type of summary calculation to apply: Sum, Average, Min, Max, or Count.
3. The aggregate totals will be displayed at the intersections of each row and column, with a grand total at the bottom.

Step 7: Preview the Matrix Report

To see how your report looks, preview it at any time.

1. Click Run in the upper-right corner to view a live preview with accurate data.
2. Review the layout and data accuracy, and adjust groupings or summaries as needed.

Step 8: Customize with Conditional Highlighting (Optional)

Here, highlight the values based on conditions to make important metrics stand out visually.

1. In the report settings, go to the Conditional Highlighting/Formatting section.
2. Click on “Add Conditional Formatting Rule”.
3. Define color-coded thresholds to draw attention to specific values. For example, highlight high opportunity amounts in green and low ones in red, as shown in the figure below.
   Set limits to show color-coded highlights based on your specified thresholds.
4. Click Done.
5. Click Apply.

This is how the conditional formatting gets applied to the report.

Step 9: Save and Share the Report

Once you’re satisfied with the setup, save your Matrix Report for easy access and sharing.

1. Click Save & Run to save the report.
2. Enter a name for the report and, if desired, a description.
3. Choose a folder for saving: select a public folder for team sharing or a personal folder for restricted access.
4. Configure report-sharing options as needed to control who can view or edit it.

You can also add a chart to the report and export the report as needed. These features have been covered in previous sections of this blog. To learn more, please refer to the links provided at the beginning and end of this post.

Example Use Cases for Matrix Reports

Here are a few common scenarios where a matrix report can provide valuable insights:

1. Sales Performance by Region and Quarter: Track sales figures across regions and periods to analyze performance and identify trends.
2. Support Cases by Product and Priority: Group cases by product and priority level to see where most resources are needed.
3. Revenue by Industry and Sales Rep: Analyze the total revenue generated by each sales rep across various industries.

Benefits of Matrix Reports

• Comprehensive Analysis: Matrix reports allow for detailed multi-dimensional analysis by grouping data in both rows and columns.
• Versatile Summarization: With various summary functions, matrix reports can calculate totals, averages, and other metrics that provide insight into your data.
• Dashboard Compatibility: Use matrix reports as data sources for dashboards, making them ideal for visualizing and presenting complex datasets.
• Conditional Highlighting: Highlight critical metrics for quick identification, making it easier to spot important trends.

Conclusion

Matrix Reports in Salesforce are powerful tools for analyzing data across two dimensions. They allow users to organize, summarize, and visualize data in new ways. By grouping data in rows and columns and applying aggregate functions, matrix reports reveal complex insights that can guide strategic decisions.

By following the steps in this guide, you can create and customize a matrix very simply.

In the next part of this blog series, we’ll learn about Joined Reports in Salesforce.

Until then, Keep Reading !!

Every challenge brings a new perspective; sometimes, all we need is the courage to look from a different angle.

Related Posts:

1. Matrix Reports Salesforce
2. Reports & Dashboards for Lightning Experience

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2. Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3. How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce provides users with a robust reporting toolset that enables businesses to analyze their data, identify trends, and drive smarter decision-making. Among the various types of reports available in Salesforce, Summary Reports stand out as one of the most popular due to their ability to group and summarize data effectively. Summary reports allow users to group rows of data and apply aggregate functions like sums, averages, and counts, making them ideal for tracking metrics across categories.

In this blog, we’ll cover what summary reports are, when and why to use them, and provide step-by-step instructions to create a summary report in Salesforce.

Before you Begin:

In the previous part of this blog, we covered the steps for creating a Tabular Report in Salesforce. Understanding the basics of creating tabular reports is essential. To learn more about it, please follow this link.

What is a Summary Report in Salesforce?

A Summary Report in Salesforce is a type of report that groups data rows based on one or more fields and allows you to perform aggregate calculations, such as sums, averages, and counts, on the grouped data. This makes summary reports particularly useful when you want to analyze data by categories, such as opportunities by sales stage, accounts by region, or cases by priority.

Key Features of Summary Reports:

• Group by Rows: Group records by one or more fields to organize your data.
• Aggregate Functions: Use functions like sum, average, min, max, and count to calculate metrics on the grouped data.
• Subtotals and Grand Totals: Display subtotals for each group and a grand total for all records.
• Charting Capabilities: Use summary reports as the data source for Salesforce dashboard components, such as bar charts, pie charts, or line graphs. (As we discussed already, these capabilities are not available in Tabular Reports. For more, see the previous part of this blog.)
• Conditional Highlighting: Apply conditional formatting to highlight certain values in the report.

When to Use a Summary Report?

Summary reports are perfect when you want to:

• Group Data: You need to group your data into categories like regions, sales stages, or account types.
• Summarize Data: You need subtotals and grand totals, such as total revenue by sales rep or total cases by priority.
• Use Charts: You want to display the report’s data visually in charts within Salesforce dashboards.
• Track Metrics: You want to monitor metrics across multiple categories and timeframes, like tracking lead conversion rates over time.

If you need a simple, flat list of records, you should consider using a Tabular Report instead.

Steps to Create a Summary Report in Salesforce

Let’s walk through the steps to create a summary report.

Step 1: Navigate to the Reports Tab

1. Go to the App Launcher and search for Reports.
2. Click Reports. This will navigate you to the Reports tab.
3. In the Reports tab, select “New Report” located in the upper-right corner.

Step 2: Select a Report Type

When you click on New Report, Salesforce will prompt you to choose a Report Type. This determines the object(s) the report will pull data from.

1. Select the object for your report. For example, if you’re creating report on opportunities, choose Opportunities – Standard report type.
2. If needed, select a related object for your report, such as Opportunities with Products or Accounts with Contacts.
3. Select the Opportunities Report type as shown in the figure below.
4. Click Start Report.

Note: To learn more about creating Custom Report Types in Salesforce, please refer to this link.

Step 3: Define Report Filters

After selecting the report type, Salesforce will open the report builder. Here, you can define and customize the filters to narrow down the data according to your requirements.

1. Standard Filters: Salesforce will automatically apply some filters, such as the date range and object ownership (e.g., My Opportunities, All Opportunities). You can modify these filters based on your requirements.

2. Custom Filters: Add any additional filters to refine your data further. For example, filter opportunities by Stage or Amount to focus on specific subsets of data.

Apply both the standard and custom filters as shown in the figure below.

Step 4: Add and Arrange Columns

Next, add the fields that you want to display as columns in your report and group them to create a summary report.

1. In the left-hand pane, click Outline.
2. In the Add Column search bar, type and select the fields you want to include in your report. For an opportunities report, you might add columns like Opportunity Name, Amount, Stage, and Close Date.

Step 5: Group Report’s Columns by Summary Field:

This is the important step when your tabular reports converts into the summary report.

1. Group Rows: To turn your report into a summary report, you need to group rows by a specific field. Click the down arrow on the desired column as shown in the figure below and select Group Rows by This Field.
   For example, group opportunities by Stage to see totals by sales stage.
2. You can also search for field in the “Add Group” search bar at Group Rows section as shown below.
3. If needed, you can add additional groups by dragging and dropping more fields into the grouping section.

Step 6: Add Summarized Fields (Aggregate Functions)

Summary reports allow you to apply aggregate functions such as sum, min, max, average and median etc.

1. In the report builder, click the drop-down arrow on a numeric field like Amount or Quantity.
2. Select the summary type you want to apply, such as Sum, Average, Max, or Min.
3. You can also add subtotals and a grand total to the report by enabling those options from the Options menu.
4. For now, select “Sum”.

So, in this way, you can also use other aggregate functions too.

Step 7: Add a Chart (Optional)

If you want to visualize your data, you can add a chart to your summary report. This functionality is not available in the tabular reports.

1. Click Add Chart in the report builder.
2. Choose a chart type that best represents your data, such as a bar chart, pie chart, or line graph. Here we are selecting “Donut”.
3. Customize the chart by selecting the fields for the X and Y axes. (in case of Bar charts and Line Charts.)
4. Click outside the chart properties.
5. Click Save to save the chart to your report.

Step 8: Preview and Run the Report

At any point, you can preview the report to see how it looks.

1. Click Run to generate a preview of the report. Salesforce will display the report with real data based on the filters and groupings you have applied.
2. Review the report for accuracy. If adjustments are needed, you can go back and modify filters, groupings, or summarizations.

The final report will look like this.

Step 9: Save and Share the Report

Once you’re satisfied with your summary report, you’ll want to save it so that others can access it.

1. Click Save & Run.
2. Enter a report name, and optionally, provide a description to help other users understand the purpose of the report.

3. Choose the folder where you’d like to save the report. You can save it to your personal folder, a public folder, or a custom folder based on your organization’s structure.
4. Define the sharing settings to control access to the report.

You can also export the report. We already have discussed this in the tabular report blog. Please refer that blog for more details about how to export the report. The link is above and at the bottom of this blog post.

Example Use Cases for Summary Reports

Here are a few real-world examples of how you might use summary reports:

1. Opportunities by Sales Stage: Group opportunities by stage and summarize the total amount in each stage to track the sales pipeline.
2. Cases by Priority: Create a summary report to track the number of cases by priority and see how many high-priority cases are being resolved.
3. Revenue by Region: Use a summary report to group accounts by region and calculate total revenue for each region.
4. Tasks by Owner: Summarize tasks assigned to each team member to monitor productivity and workload distribution.

Benefits of Summary Reports

• Grouping Data: Summary reports allow you to group data by one or more fields, which provides valuable insights into performance across different categories.
• Subtotals and Grand Totals: By adding aggregate functions, you can quickly see key metrics like total revenue, average deal size, or the number of open cases.
• Visualization: With charting options, you can turn your summarized data into visual representations that make it easier to spot trends and make data-driven decisions.
• Flexible and Customizable: Summary reports can be filtered, grouped, and customized in various ways to fit the specific needs of your organization.

Limitations of Summary Reports

• Single Object Reporting: Summary reports are limited to a single report type. If you need to report on multiple objects, you might need a custom report type.
• Static Data: Unlike dynamic dashboards, the data in summary reports does not automatically update unless the report is re-run.
• Complex Calculations: While you can use simple aggregate functions, more complex calculations may require the use of formula fields or more advanced report types like matrix reports.

Conclusion

Summary reports in Salesforce are a powerful tool for analyzing and summarizing your data, allowing you to group records, apply aggregate functions, and visualize key metrics. Whether you’re tracking sales performance, monitoring support cases, or analyzing revenue by region, summary reports provide the flexibility and insights needed to make data-driven decisions.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create custom summary reports very easily.

In the next part of this blog, we’ll learn about creating Matrix Reports in Salesforce.

Until then, Keep Reading !!

 “Kindness is a bridge that turns ordinary days into meaningful memories.”

Related Posts:

1. A Comprehensive Guide on Creating Tabular Reports in Salesforce
2. Summary Reports in Salesforce

You Can Also Read:

1. Introduction to the Salesforce Queues – Part 1
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

In Salesforce Lightning Web Components (LWC), the Navigation Service plays a crucial role in creating a seamless user experience by enabling easy, programmatic navigation between different pages, records, or external links.

In the previous Part 1 of this blog we saw the basics of the Navigation Services and how to navigate a user to the record page. If you would like to learn, please follow this link.

In this blog post, we’ll try to cover all the possible scenarios/examples for Navigation Services in Lightning Web Components.

So let’s get started…

Examples of Common Navigation Scenarios in Lightning Web Components

1. Navigate to the New Opportunity record creation page:

Please find below the code snippet that demonstrates how the Navigation Service can be used to navigate to the New Opportunity record creation page when the ‘Create New Opportunity’ button is clicked.

navigationTest.html

<template>
    <lightning-card title="Navigation Service Demo">
        <div class="slds-p-left_medium">
            <lightning-button label="Create New Opportunity" onclick={navigateToNewOppPage}></lightning-button>
        </div>
    </lightning-card>
</template>

navigationTest.js

import { LightningElement } from 'lwc';
import { NavigationMixin } from 'lightning/navigation';
export default class NavigationTest extends NavigationMixin(LightningElement) {
 navigateToNewOppPage() {
        this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
            type: 'standard__objectPage',
            attributes: {
                objectApiName: 'Opportunity',
                actionName: 'new'
            },
        });
    }
}

navigationTest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<LightningComponentBundle xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata">
    <apiVersion>61.0</apiVersion>
    <isExposed>true</isExposed>
    <targets>
        <target>lightning__AppPage</target>
        <target>lightning__HomePage</target>
        <target>lightning__RecordPage</target>
    </targets>
</LightningComponentBundle>

2. Navigate to the Opportunity Home Page

navigationTest.html

<template>
    <lightning-card title="Navigation Service Demo">
        <div class="slds-p-left_medium">
            <lightning-button label="Go to Opportunity Home Page" onclick={navigateToOpportunityHome}></lightning-button>
        </div>
    </lightning-card>
</template>

navigationTest.js

import { LightningElement } from 'lwc';
import { NavigationMixin } from 'lightning/navigation';

export default class NavigationTest extends NavigationMixin(LightningElement) {
 navigateToOpportunityHome() {
        this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
            type: 'standard__objectPage',
            attributes: {
                objectApiName: 'Opportunity',
                actionName: 'home'
            }
        });
    }

}

3. Navigation to external URL

handleNavigateToExternalPage() {
    this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
        type: 'standard__webPage',
        attributes: {
            url: https://blogs.perficient.com/author/amasane/'
        }
    });
}

4. Navigating to a List View

To navigate to a list view, use the standard__objectPage type. You can also specify a filter in the filterName attribute.

handleNavigateToListView() {
    this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
        type: 'standard__objectPage',
        attributes: {
            objectApiName: 'Contact',
            actionName: 'list'
        },
        state: {
            filterName: 'Recent' // Optional filter for list views
        }
    });
}

5. Navigating to a Custom Tab

If you have a custom Lightning app page or a Visualforce tab, use the standard__navItemPage type.

handleNavigateToCustomTab() {
    this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
        type: 'standard__navItemPage',
        attributes: {
            apiName: 'MyCustomTab'
        }
    });
}

6. Navigating to a Related List

If you want to take users to a related list for a particular record, use the standard__recordRelationshipPage type.

handleNavigateToRelatedList() {
    this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
        type: 'standard__recordRelationshipPage',
        attributes: {
            recordId: this.recordId,    (you can also put recordId manually)
            objectApiName: 'Account',
            relationshipApiName: 'Contacts',
            actionName: 'view'
        }
    });
}

Conclusion

Through the examples provided above, we’ve demonstrated how developers can effectively utilize Navigation Services within their Lightning Web Components to enhance navigation and user experience.

Happy Reading !!

The journey of learning never ends; every moment is a chance to grow.

Related Posts:

1. 1. Basic Navigation Services in LWC
   2. Navigate to different pages

You Can Also Read:

1.A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Report Type in Salesforce
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Lightning Web Components (LWC) has transformed how developers create modern and efficient applications within the Salesforce platform. One of the key functionalities that enhances user experience in LWC is the Navigation Service. This service allows developers to navigate between different components, pages, or external URLs with ease.

In this blog, we’ll explore the Navigation Service in detail, covering its key features, use cases, and examples to help you use it effectively in your Lightning Web Components.

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this Navigation Series, we’ve tried to cover all the scenarios possible by Navigation Service in LWC.

So, let’s get started…

What Is Navigation Service in LWC?

The Navigation Service in Lightning Web Components provides a way to navigate programmatically between pages in the Salesforce app. It allows developers to direct users to standard Salesforce Record pages, Objects, Custom Tabs, Related Lists, custom components, or external websites with minimal effort.

Key Use Cases for Navigation Service

Some of the most common use cases for Navigation Services include:

1. Navigating to a Record Page: Redirect users to a specific record in the app, such as an account, contact, or custom object.
2. Navigating to a List View: Guide users to a list view, showing filtered records based on custom criteria.
3. Navigating to a Custom Tab or Lightning Component: Direct users to custom pages or components in your app, including utility tabs.
4. Navigating to an External URL: Open an external website or resource when users click on a link or button.
5. Navigating in Communities: Redirect users within a Salesforce Community to different pages or community tabs.

How to Implement Navigation Service in LWC

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into how to implement the Navigation Service in your LWC Components.

Step 1: Import the Required Modules

First, you need to import the NavigationMixin from the lightning/navigation service. This mixin provides the methods required for navigation.

import { NavigationMixin } from 'lightning/navigation';

Step 2: Extend the NavigationMixin

Next, extend the NavigationMixin in your component’s class. This allows your component to inherit the navigation functionality.

export default class MyComponent extends NavigationMixin(LightningElement) {
    // Component logic here
}    

Step 3: Define a Navigation Method

To navigate between pages, you’ll define a method in your component that uses the navigate() function from the NavigationMixin.

Example: Navigating to a Record Page

handleNavigateToRecord() {
    this[NavigationMixin.Navigate]({
        type: 'standard__recordPage',
        attributes: {
            recordId: this.recId,   (you can also paste particular record id here in some cases)
            objectApiName: 'Account',
            actionName: 'view'
        }
    });
}

In this example, the type is set to standard__recordPage, which specifies that you’re navigating to a record page. The attributes section defines the recordId, the object (Account), and the action (view or edit).

Step 4: Use the Navigation Method in the Template

Add a button or another interactive element in the component’s template/html side to trigger the navigation method when clicked.

<template>
    <lightning-card title="Navigation Service Demo">
        <div class="slds-p-left_medium">
            <lightning-button label="Go to Account" onclick={handleNavigateToRecord}></lightning-button>
        </div>
    </lightning-card>
</template>

Now, when the user clicks the button, they’ll be redirected to the specified account record.

In Part 2 of this blog post, we’ll see more scenarios in which Navigation Service can be used.

The Navigation Service in Lightning Web Components is a versatile tool that allows for efficient, programmatic navigation within the Salesforce platform. By understanding how to navigate between standard pages, custom components, and external URLs, you can greatly enhance the user experience in your LWC applications.

Happy Reading !!

The journey of learning never ends; every moment is a chance to grow.

Related Posts:

1. 1. Basic Navigation Services in LWC
   2. Navigate to different pages

You Can Also Read:

1.A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Report Type in Salesforce
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Dynamic Dashboards in Salesforce are a powerful tool that allows users to view data and metrics based on their individual access levels without needing to create separate dashboards for different users or roles. This feature enhances the customization and personalization of data visualization, making it easier for users to track performance, monitor KPIs, and make data-driven decisions relevant to their specific roles.

In this blog post, we’ll learn:

1. What is Dynamic Dashboard?
2. Key Features of Dynamic Dashboards.
3. Difference between Standard and Dynamic Dashboards.
4. Steps to create Dynamic Dashboards.
5. Limitations of the Dynamic Dashboard

So let’s get started…

What Are Dynamic Dashboards in Salesforce?

A Dynamic Dashboard in Salesforce allows users to view a dashboard that automatically adjusts based on the logged-in user’s data access and permissions. Unlike traditional dashboards, where data is static and the same for all users, dynamic dashboards adapt based on each user’s security settings, ensuring that sensitive data is only visible to those with the appropriate access.

Key Features of Dynamic Dashboards:

• Personalized Data: Data displayed on the dashboard is personalized based on the logged-in user’s role and access.
• Single Dashboard for Multiple Users: No need to create separate dashboards for each user or role.
• Real-Time Insights: Users can monitor their specific metrics in real-time without viewing data outside their access level.
• Simplified Maintenance: One dashboard serves multiple users, reducing the need to update or manage multiple versions.

Differences Between Standard and Dynamic Dashboards:

Note: If you’re interested in learning more about Salesforce Dashboards, how to create them, and the various dashboard components available in Salesforce Lightning, please feel free to explore this link.

How to Create a Dynamic Dashboard in Salesforce

Creating a dynamic dashboard is straightforward, and the process is similar to creating a standard dashboard, with an additional setting to make it dynamic. Here’s how you can set up a dynamic dashboard:

Step 1: Create a Dashboard in Dashboard Builder

1. Navigate to the Dashboard Tab from App Launcher.
2. Click “New Dashboard”.
3. Select Reports: Dynamic dashboards pull data from reports, so ensure that your reports are set up correctly to capture the relevant data.
4. Add various components (charts, tables, metrics) to visualize your data. You can customize each component to display specific data based on the reports you’ve created.

Note: If you would like to learn more about various dashboard components in Salesforce and how they’re created, please follow this link.

Step 2: Set the Dashboard to Dynamic

This is the critical step that transforms a regular dashboard into a dynamic one.

Follow the below steps:

1. On the Dashboard Page, click “Edit” located in the top right corner.
2. In the dashboard builder, click on the settings icon (gear icon) beside the Save button.
3. Scroll down to the ‘View Dashboard as section’.
4. You will see an option that says “View dashboard as.” Here, you can define who will be the “running user” for the dashboard.
5. Select “Let dashboard viewers choose whom they view the dashboard as”. This option allows the dashboard to dynamically display data based on the logged-in user’s access.
6. Click Save to enable the dashboard as dynamic.
7. Again click Save on the Dashboard builder page.
8. Click Done.
9. Refresh the page.
   You can see the Change button beside the ‘Viewing as – Current User i.e. F Demo’ as shown in the figure below.
   
10. Click on Change.
11. Select the user from your org – Here I’m selecting another user from my org: Karan Dalwani
12. Click on Apply.
13. Click Save and refresh the page.

You will notice that the user has been updated, and the dashboard now displays only the data that the user has access to.

The current user has more limited access to Opportunities compared to the previous user. As a result, the Gauge Chart component now displays only the records that the current user has permission to view.

Limitations of the Dynamic Dashboard:

1. You can have a Dynamic Dashboard:

• Enterprise Edition: Up to 5 dynamic dashboards.
• Unlimited and Performance Editions: Up to 10 dynamic dashboards.
• Developer Edition: Up to 3 dynamic dashboards.

2. Dynamic dashboards cannot be saved in a private folder.
3. Dynamic dashboards must be refreshed manually, as scheduled refreshes are not supported.
4. Subscriptions to dynamic dashboards are not allowed.

Best Practices for Dynamic Dashboards

1. Use Filters to Customize Further: You can add filters to your dynamic dashboards to give users even more control over the data they see. For example, users can filter data based on regions, departments, or time periods.
2. Leverage Existing Reports: When creating dynamic dashboards, use existing summary or matrix reports to quickly visualize data. This can save time and effort in building complex data sources from scratch.
3. Monitor Performance: Be mindful of the dashboard’s performance. If a dynamic dashboard is pulling large amounts of data or too many components, it may slow down. Simplify where possible to ensure a smooth user experience.
4. Test the Dashboard as Different Users: Before deploying a dynamic dashboard, test it by logging in as different users (using the “Login As” feature or test users) to ensure that the data displayed is correct for each role.

Conclusion

Dynamic dashboards in Salesforce are a valuable feature that enables users to view personalized data based on their roles and access levels. This eliminates the need for multiple dashboards while ensuring data security and relevance. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily create and manage dynamic dashboards that provide your team with real-time, customized insights.

Happy Reading !!

The journey of learning never ends; every moment is a chance to grow.

Related Posts:

1. Salesforce Dashboards
2. Build a Dashboard
3. Dynamic Dashboards Salesforce

You Can Also Read:

1.A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Report Type in Salesforce
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

In today’s fast-growing world of business, making informed decisions based on data is crucial for success. Salesforce dashboards are powerful tools that allow organizations to visualize and analyze their data in real time, helping users track key metrics and uncover insights that drive business success. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, customer service, or operations, dashboards provide an easy way to stay informed and make better decisions.

In this blog, we’ll cover what a dashboard is in Salesforce, its importance, the different types of dashboard components, and step-by-step instructions on how to create a dashboard in Salesforce Lightning.

What is a Dashboard in Salesforce?

A Salesforce dashboard is a visual representation of your Salesforce data, organized through various components such as charts, tables, graphs, and gauges. Dashboards pull data from Salesforce reports and display it in a single location, offering a comprehensive view of key performance indicators (KPIs) and business metrics. With dashboards, users can monitor trends, track performance, and make informed decisions quickly.

Key Features of Salesforce Dashboards

• Real-Time Data: Dashboards update in real-time, ensuring that you are always working with the latest data.
• Customizable: You can create dashboards tailored to specific users, roles, or departments, ensuring that everyone sees the data most relevant to them.
• Interactive: Dashboards are interactive, allowing users to drill down into the data for deeper insights.
• Multiple Components: A single dashboard can have multiple components, each displaying different types of data (e.g., charts, graphs, tables).
• Dynamic Dashboards: Dashboards can be dynamic, meaning they display data based on the logged-in user’s permissions and access levels.

Let’s learn about what types of dashboard components Salesforce provides.

Dashboard Components in Salesforce

Salesforce dashboards are made up of several components that allow you to display data in different ways. So here are the common components you can use when creating a dashboard:

1. Chart:

Visual representations of data, including bar, pie, and line charts. Best for comparing data sets or visualizing trends.

2. Gauge:

A gauge displays a single value within a range. It’s perfect for tracking performance against a target (e.g., sales quota).

3. Metric:

Metrics display a single key performance indicator (KPI). For example, it can show the total number of closed deals for the quarter.

4. Table:

Tables show multiple rows of data in a grid. Useful for showing detailed lists, such as top-performing salespeople or open customer cases. (Lightning Table)

5. Funnel Chart: 

A Funnel Chart in Salesforce shows data progression through stages, like a sales pipeline, highlighting conversions and drop-offs.

6. Stacked Vertical and Horizontal Bar Chart: 

A Stacked Bar Chart in Salesforce displays data in horizontal or vertical bars, where each bar is divided into segments representing different data categories. This chart type is ideal for comparing totals across groups while also visualizing the breakdown within each group. You can add a stacked bar chart to dashboards by grouping a report and choosing the Stacked Bar Chart component.

So these are all the dashboard components (charts) provided by Salesforce.

Types of Dashboards in Salesforce

1. Dynamic Dashboards: These dashboards display data based on the logged-in user’s access and permissions, making them highly personalized.
2. Standard Dashboards: These are regular dashboards that display data to all users with access, irrespective of their permissions.

Note: If you would like to learn more about Dynamic Dashboards in Salesforce Lightning, please feel free to go with this link.

How to Create Dashboards in Salesforce

Creating a dashboard in Salesforce is a simple and intuitive process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your own dashboard in Salesforce Lightning.

Step 1: Navigate to the Dashboards Tab

1. Click on the App Launcher (grid icon) in the upper-left corner of your Salesforce instance.
2. Type “Dashboards” in the search bar and click on the Dashboards tab.

Step 2: Create a New Dashboard

1. In the Dashboards tab, click the New Dashboard button in the top-right corner.
2. Enter Dashboard Details: A pop-up will appear, asking for the following details:
   • Name: Enter a meaningful name for your dashboard (e.g., “Sales Team Performance”).  Here we’ll enter ‘Test Dashboard’.
   • Folder: Select the folder where the dashboard will be stored. Choose whether the folder is public (shared with everyone) or private.
   • Description: Enter the description. (Optional)
3. Click “Create”. This will take you to the dashboard builder page.

Step 3: Add the Dashboards Components

So once the dashboard shell is created, you can begin adding components to it.

1. In the dashboard builder/editor, click the + Widget button.
2. Click “Chart or Table” and select the relevant reports for your dashboard..
3. Select a Report: Salesforce dashboards pull data from reports. Select the report you want to use for the dashboard component. Make sure the report contains the data you want to visualize.
4. Choose the Component Type: As discussed above, so you can choose different component types, such as charts, gauges, metrics, and tables. Each type provides a different way to display data.
5. Customize the Component: After selecting the report and component type, you can configure how the data will be displayed. Customize the chart type, axis labels, filters, and any other settings to suit your needs.
   So it should look like the image below:
   
6. Once done, click Add
7. Repeat the procedure to add more components like gauge charts, metric charts, bar charts, etc.
8. So once you’ve added all the necessary components, you can drag and drop them around the dashboard canvas to arrange them in your preferred layout.
9. You can resize the components by clicking and dragging the edges of each component to fit more data.

Step 4: Set Dashboards Filters (Optional)

If you want to allow users to filter the data on the dashboard, you can add filters.

1. Click “+ Filter” button at the top of the dashboard builder.
2. Select Field: Choose the field you want to use as a filter (e.g., “Region” or “Sales Rep”).
3. Set the filter options to allow users to adjust which data appears on the dashboard.

We’ll learn how to add filters to the Salesforce Dashboards in the next segment of this blog post.

Step 5: Save and Run the Dashboards

1. Once you’ve finished configuring the components, click Save at the top of the page.
2. After saving, click Done to exit the dashboard editor and view your newly created dashboard.

Note: If you would like to learn more about how to place your dashboard on Lightning Pages in Salesforce Lightning, please feel free to go with this link.

Best Practices for Creating Effective Dashboards

1. Keep It Simple: Avoid overcrowding your dashboard with too many components and focus on the most important metrics to ensure clarity.
2. Use Appropriate Chart Types: Choose chart types that best represent your data. So for example, use a line chart for trends over time and a pie chart for showing percentages.
3. Leverage Filters: Use filters to make dashboards more interactive and customizable for users.
4. Regularly Update Dashboards: Ensure your dashboards are up-to-date by scheduling regular refreshes and updating the underlying reports as needed.
5. Monitor Performance: If your dashboard is slow to load, reduce the number of components or optimize the reports it pulls from.

Conclusion

Dashboards in Salesforce are a powerful way to visualize and analyze data, enabling users to track key metrics in real-time and make informed decisions. So by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create dynamic, interactive dashboards tailored to the needs of your organization and whether you’re in sales, marketing, or customer support, and Salesforce dashboards provide the insights you need to drive performance and achieve your business goals.

Happy Reading !!

The journey of learning never ends; every moment is a chance to grow.

Related Posts:

1. Salesforce Dashboards
2. Build a Dashboard

You Can Also Read:

1.A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Report Type in Salesforce
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot

Hello Trailblazers!

Salesforce Reports are powerful tools that enable users to organize, analyze, and display data in a structured manner. Reports in Salesforce provide actionable insights, allowing businesses to track performance, monitor key metrics, and make data-driven decisions. They serve as the foundation for understanding customer behavior, sales trends, and operational efficiency.

In this blog, we will explore the concept of Salesforce Report, their types, and how to use them effectively in your organization.

What Are Salesforce Reports?

A Salesforce Report is a list of records that meet the criteria you define. It displays data in a format that allows users to filter, group, and summarize data for analysis. Reports are essential for tracking and visualizing data across objects such as Accounts, Opportunities, Leads, or custom objects.

Note: To generate a customized report across two or more objects, you will need a “Custom Report Type.” If you’d like to learn how to create Custom Report Type for reports, please follow this link for a step-by-step guide.

Types of Salesforce Reports

Salesforce offers four primary types of report, each with unique capabilities and use cases. Let’s dive into the details of each:

1. Tabular Reports

Tabular Reports are the simplest type of Salesforce report. They provide a straightforward, row-based format, similar to a spreadsheet, and display an ordered set of fields in columns. Tabular reports are ideal for tasks like creating lists, such as contacts, leads, opportunities, accounts lists, or simple data export.

Limitations:

• You cannot create charts from tabular report.
• Tabular report are not suitable for complex data analysis, as they lack groupings or summaries.

2. Summary Reports

Summary Report allow you to group rows of data, summarize the information, and apply filters and charts. This type of report is more powerful than tabular report as it lets you group by field and display subtotals and totals for numeric data.

Key Features:

• Data can be grouped by rows.
• You can add subtotals, grand totals, and charts.
• Filters can be applied to highlight specific data points.

3. Matrix Reports

Matrix Reports are a more advanced version of summary reports. They allow you to group and summarize data in both rows and columns, creating a two-dimensional analysis. Matrix report are ideal for tracking performance across multiple dimensions, such as by product and region.

Key Features:

• Data can be grouped by both rows and columns.
• Supports subtotals, grand totals, and charts.
• Provides a comprehensive view of performance across multiple variables.

4. Joined Reports

Joined Reports allow you to combine data from multiple report types or objects into a single view. This type of report is especially useful when you want to analyze data from different objects or datasets side by side.

Key Features:

• Allows multiple report blocks for each dataset.
• Combines data from different objects into a single report.
• Great for complex reporting and analysis across several data sources.

So these are the basics of the Salesforce report and its types.

Conclusion

Salesforce Report are a critical feature that helps organizations track performance, analyze data, and make informed decisions. With four main types of report—Tabular, Summary, Matrix, and Joined—Salesforce offers flexibility in how you can visualize and analyze your data. By understanding the different types of reports and their use cases, you can leverage the full power of Salesforce reporting to meet your organization’s needs.

Happy Reading !!

The journey of learning never ends; every moment is a chance to grow.

Related Posts:

1. Salesforce Report
2. Create Salesforce Report and Dashboard
3. Dynamic Dashboards Salesforce

You Can Also Read:

1.A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Report Type in Salesforce
2.Mastering Salesforce Queues: A Step-by-Step Guide – Part 2
3.How to Assign Records to Salesforce Queue: A Complete Guide
4. An Introduction to Salesforce CPQ
5. Revolutionizing Customer Engagement: The Salesforce Einstein Chatbot