How to create an external object – Objects in Salesforce
Just follow these simple steps to create a new external object (but remember that to utilize all its data sync features, you’ll need to purchase additional Salesforce licenses):
- Navigate to Setup and use the Quick Find box to search for external objects. Select External Objects from the search results – you can either create a new external object by clicking New External Object or edit an existing one by selecting Edit.
- Enter the following details:
• Label – Any user-friendly name for the external object, displayed in the Salesforce user interface, such as in list views.
• Plural Label – It will be used as a tab name.
• Starts with vowel sound – Choose “an” instead of “a” for label prefixes when appropriate for your org’s default language.
• Object Name – A unique identifier that must be unique and follow specific naming rules.
• Description – An optional description.
• Context-Sensitive Help Setting – Defines what users see when they click Help for this Page.
• External Data Source – Choose the external data source definition with connection details.
• Table Name – The external system’s table to which the external object maps.
• Display URL Reference Field – Only for Salesforce Connect, this field is autogenerated from the external system.
• Allow Reports – Available only for Salesforce Connect.
• Deployment Status – Indicates visibility to other users.
• Launch New Custom Tab Wizard after saving – If selected, the custom tab wizard starts after saving the external object and you will be able to create a dedicated tab that can be used by the users to navigate to the external object’s data.
• Allow Search – If selected, you will let users find external object records via SOSL and Salesforce global searches. - Save the configuration.
- On the external object detail page, view and modify custom fields, relationships, page layouts, field sets, search layouts, buttons, and links. To add fields or create mappings, click New in the Custom Fields & Relationships related list. For different page layouts by user profile, select Page Layout Assignments.
You have just learned what an external object is, when it can be used, and how to create one. It’s truly valuable to explore the possibilities of external objects, especially as Salesforce, as a CRM, frequently integrates with various data sources (such as ERP systems, billing systems, and so on). Utilizing external objects can be one viable option for building such integrations.
Summary
Thank you for being with us on this exciting Salesforce adventure! You have just finished the next chapter of this book, and your Salesforce knowledge is blossoming. Let’s now summarize here what you have learned in this chapter.
In this chapter, you have primarily learned about Salesforce standard and custom objects, gaining practical knowledge on how to create a brand-new custom object. Moreover, you have learned how to establish relationships between Salesforce objects using lookup or master-detail fields.
You’ve also learned about Salesforce junction objects, their logic, and usage, and even had the opportunity to create one in a real-life example while building a simple Salesforce recruitment app.
In the final section of this chapter, you’ve gained insights into external objects, their practical applications, and practical knowledge on how to create such an object.
As this chapter concludes, the Salesforce saga continues. Join us in the next chapter where we will discuss Salesforce user management and security.