When to Use Flow Instead of Validation Rules : Yumi Ibrahimzade

When to Use Flow Instead of Validation Rules
by: Yumi Ibrahimzade
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In the Winter '24 release, Salesforce unveiled a new feature called Custom Error, which enhances how users can manage error messages in record-triggered flows. Previously, users had to create checkboxes and validation rules to display error messages, but this was cumbersome and limited to certain scenarios. Now, with the Custom Error element, almost every function of Validation Rules can be performed through Flows. **Key Points:** 1. **Custom Error Element**: This new feature allows for easier and more efficient error handling in record-triggered flows. 2. **Difference Between Custom Error and Validation Rules**: - **Complex Validations**: Flows provide greater control for complex validation needs. - **Before-Delete Validations**: Flows can prevent record deletions, something Validation Rules can't do. - **Versioning**: Flows support versioning, enabling users to revert to earlier versions of validation logic, unlike Validation Rules. - **Dynamic Error Messages**: Flows can generate context-specific error messages, while Validation Rules only offer hardcoded messages. 3. **When to Use Each**: - **Validation Rules** are still important for simple validation tasks and are more straightforward to manage in the Object Manager. - Approval Processes can bypass Validation Rules but not Flow validations, so in cases where you need strict enforcement during approvals, Flows are preferable. ### Conclusion While the Custom Error element in Flows offers significant advantages, especially for complex scenarios, Validation Rules remain valuable for simpler checks and easier management. It's about choosing the right tool for the right job. ### Additional Context: Understanding when to use these tools can enhance your Salesforce implementation, making it more efficient and user-friendly. ### Hashtags for SEO: #Salesforce #CustomError #ValidationRules #FlowElement #SalesforceWinter24 #ErrorHandling #SalesforceTips #CRM #CloudComputing #SalesforceDevelopment

In the Winter '24 release, Salesforce introduced a new flow element called Custom Error. This feature allows you to display error messages directly within record-triggered flows. Previously, a common workaround involved using a checkbox field in combination with a validation rule to trigger error messages. However, this approach required creating a separate checkbox field and validation rule for each unique error message. Additionally, it only worked in before-save record-triggered flows and didn’t support before-delete scenarios. The Custom Error element in flows can now cover almost everything Validation Rules can do. So, when should you use Validation Rules instead of Flow, or vice versa?

Choosing Between Validation Rules and Flow

Since the Custom Error element in Flows can now handle nearly everything Validation Rules can, it's important to understand when to use each. Before comparing the two, it's worth noting that Custom Error is not meant to replace Validation Rules. Validation Rules are not going away and continue to play a key role in our implementations.

• Complex Validations: This is where the main difference lies. The Custom Error element is part of Flow, which gives you much more control over the logic. You can use Flow elements to fetch related or even unrelated records and build validations based on that data. So, for complex validation requirements, Flow is the way to go.

• Before Delete Validations: Validation Rules don’t fire on record deletion, so you can’t use them to block a deleting records. However, a before-delete record-triggered Flow can easily handle this and prevent the deletion.

• Versioning: Validation Rules don’t support versioning, so once you make changes, the previous version is lost. Flows, on the other hand, do support versioning. This allows you to activate a previous version of your validation logic whenever needed.
• Dynamic Error Messages: Validation Rules use hardcoded error messages. However, with Flow, you can use Flow resources to create dynamic, context-specific error messages.

Should You Stop Using Validation Rules?

These are all great reasons to choose Flow over Validation Rules. So, should you always go with Flow and stop using Validation Rules? I think the answer is no, because there are some solid reasons to prefer Validation Rules too.

Validation Rules have a dedicated section with a clear view in the Object Manager, making it easy to manage them in one place. Although Flows can handle validations as well, it’s often better to use a Validation Rule for simple checks. For example, if you want to require a user to enter a value when a specific field changes, a simple Validation Rule can do the job. While these may seem like minor reasons to choose Validation Rules over Flow, there's one important advantage. Field updates from Approval Processes bypass Validation Rules, but they do not bypass Flow-based validations!

For instance, let’s say you have a Validation Rule that blocks changes to the status field. An Approval Process can still update the status without triggering any errors. However, if you build this validation using Flow, the Approval Process will fail because it cannot bypass Flow-based validations.

The post When to Use Flow Instead of Validation Rules appeared first on Salesforce Time.

March 30, 2025 at 07:12PM
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