If you’re new to Salesforce automation or looking to level up your skills, Screen Flows are a fantastic place to start. They’re interactive, user-friendly, and perfect for guiding users through processes right within Salesforce. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a Screen Flow from scratch using a simple scenario.
What is screen flow?
In today’s salesforce ecosystem screen flow became an essential tool for streamline the business process, guide the user through interactive experiences without writing any code. Unlike auto-launched flows, Screen Flows require user interaction to proceed, it collects the input data and performs action.
Also Read
Don’t forget to checkout: Salesforce Field Service Software: A Quick Overview.
Create a screen flow in salesforce
Let’s take a simple screen flow scenario to submit an employee leave request form using salesforce flow. In the screen user name should be automatically populated then user should input start date, end date and type of leave. And once submitted, a success message should be displayed.
I have already created one custom object with all above-mentioned fields and let’s check how we can use these fields in salesforce screen flow.
Step 1: Navigate to flow.
Go to object manager then search flow in then click new flow then select the start from scratch then click next then select the screen flow to create.
Next you will see a blank canvas and if you click plus (+) icon the list of available elements will be displayed. As per our scenario we need a screen. Hence select the screen element.
Step 2: Understand the screen element in flow.
Once you have selected the screen element you could see a wide screen will be displayed with middle as screen element, in right all the screen properties and in left side list of components available for the screen and fields.
So here let’s understand what components and fields in screen flow.
Components are the visual elements you add to a screen in a flow. They define how the screen looks and behaves. Salesforce provides a variety of components to help you create user-friendly interfaces. Here are some common components:
- Text:
- Displays static text on the screen (e.g., instructions, labels, or messages).
- Example: “Please rate your experience from 1 to 5.”
- Input Fields:
- Allows users to enter or select data.
- Examples: Text input, number input, picklist, checkbox, etc.
- Text Area:
- A larger input field for multi-line text (e.g., comments or descriptions).
- Example: A field for customers to provide additional feedback.
- Radio Buttons:
- Allows users to select one option from a list.
- Example: “How satisfied are you? (1) Very Dissatisfied, (2) Dissatisfied, (3) Neutral, (4) Satisfied, (5) Very Satisfied.”
- Checkbox Group:
- Allows users to select multiple options from a list.
- Example: “Which features do you use? (Check all that apply).”
- Buttons:
- Triggers actions like submitting the screen or navigating to the next step.
- Example: A “Submit” button to save the feedback.
- Rich Text:
- Displays formatted text with options like bold, italics, or hyperlinks.
- Example: A styled message like “Thank you for your valuable feedback!”
- Display Data:
- Shows data from a record or variable (e.g., showing the customer’s name or case number).
- Example: “Hello, {!$User.FirstName}!”
Fields in Screen Flows
Fields are the data elements that store or display information in a flow. They can be mapped to variables, records, or user inputs. Here’s how fields work:
- Input Fields:
- These are fields where users enter data (e.g., text, numbers, dates).
- Example: A field for the customer to enter their rating.
- Output Fields:
- These display data to the user (e.g., showing a record’s details or a calculated value).
- Example: Displaying the customer’s name or case number.
- Variables:
- Variables act as temporary storage for data in a flow.
- Example: A variable to store the customer’s rating or comments.
- Record Fields:
- These are fields from Salesforce objects (e.g., Account, Contact, or Custom Objects).
In screen flow you will have the choice to build a screen from scratch or through a record variable. From the scratch means as per your screen requirement drag and drop respective data type. Through record fields means Similar to input components, but specifically designed to store user input directly into a record variable, which can then be used to create or update records in Salesforce.
Here is the snapshot of how the screen in flow looks like.
So as per our requirements lets drag and drop the components into the screen. Text field to capture employee Name, which is auto filled from default value. Then to capture date fields chosen date data types fields.
Then to capture the leave type picklist values. To show the picklist value, a new picklist choice set has been created as below.
Note: for all components give a proper name, because these API names will be used in creating records.
Step 3: How to capture inputs entered in screen flow.
To save the information entered via form in screens flow we need to perform DML operation to the salesforce database. As per our requirement we need to save the values entered in screen flow to leave the request object. This can be done via create record element. Let’s check out how to achieve this.
Click (+) icon after our screen element then add create record element. Choose how to set record field values manually and object as Leave Request. Then Map the screen element component API name to respective fields as below.
Now we successfully captured inputs from users in screen flow. Then let’s understand how to display a success message in screen flow.
Step 4: Display success screen.
In our example, once a leave request is submitted, we need to show a success message. This is handled via adding one more screen element into the screen and added display text as below.
Now we have successfully completed the flow. Let’s check out what our complete flow looks like.
Step 5: How to add screen flow to the UI?
If you want to add the screen directly to the record page, home page then go to lightning app builder page and add flow component into screen and choose the flow. Here is the quick guide for the same.
Drag and drop flow component in to canvas.
In our use case let’s check out how to invoke a screen flow from the quick action button. I want to add a leave request screen into account page.
Go to account then button and links then create new action. Then choose the action type as flow and select the flow that we created.
Then add the quick action button into account layout.
Now we have successfully completed the screen flow, let’s test it out.
Step 6: Test the screen flow
Conclusion
Creating a Screen Flow in Salesforce is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance user experience and streamline data collection. In this example, we built a simple flow to submit a leave request form, but the possibilities are endless. Creating Screen Flows in Salesforce allows you to gather data quickly and efficiently, enhancing user experience and streamlining your business processes.
Ready to create your own Screen Flow? Start with this simple scenario and explore how you can tailor flows to meet your business needs.
Happy Flow building!
