Do you work with Salesforce flow, but are stuck when multiple picklists come into the role? This is not new with you; multiple Salesforce users face the same challenge while they try to update the Salesforce Flow multi select picklist.
So, what is the solution? Well, the solution is to first retrieve the current values of the multi-picklist field, then use a formula to check if the new value already exists. Want to understand deeply? Then stay tuned with us… as in this blog, we are going to discuss how to add value to multi-picklist in a Flow Salesforce step by step.
What Are Multi-Picklists in Salesforce?
First, let’s understand the term “Multi-Picklists in Salesforce” so that we can find the most appropriate solution to all the challenges. In simple words, Multi-Picklists in Salesforce are a field type that allows users to select multiple values from a predefined list of options.
In addition to that, it gives users the flexibility to choose several values at once, which makes it the ideal choice among Salesforce administrators, business analysts, sales teams, marketing professionals, and customer service representatives.
Now you must be wondering why the Salesforce Flow multi select picklist is used because it helps in improving data standardization, enhancing user experience, and providing greater flexibility in capturing multiple attributes for a single record.
Now, if you are thinking of selected values in a multi-picklist that are stored, then let us tell you that the selected values in a multi-picklist are stored and displayed as a semicolon-separated string (e.g., “Value1; Value2; Value3”). Ultimately, this given format of saving values to multiple picklists in Salesforce maintains all selected values within a single field.
Understanding Multi-Picklist Challenges in Flow
Now let’s understand how to add value to multi-picklist in a Flow Salesforce, the possible challenges, and their solutions.
Challenge 1:
Multi-picklists store values as semicolon-separated strings, which makes them easy to overwrite without well-designed Flow logic or ongoing Salesforce Managed Services support.
Solution:
Always retrieve the current value before updating
Formula to append new values:
IF(CONTAINS({!$Record.MultiPicklist_Field__c}, “New Value”), {!$Record.MultiPicklist_Field__c}, {!$Record.MultiPicklist_Field__c} & “;New Value”)
Implementing and scaling such formulas becomes easier when businesses Hire Salesforce Developers experienced in Flow automation.
Challenge 2:
When updating multi picklist flow Salesforce, Salesforce One can only use the conditional logic operator “contains” but not does contain.
Solution:
To resolve this difficulty, a decision element where one uses an operator to contain a value could be used to resolve this difficulty.
Challenge 3:
The TEXT() function cannot work with multi-picklists.
Solution:
manipulate multi-picklist values using a solution such as the use of string functions, such as SUBSTITUTE, or by creating custom logic.
Challenge 4:
Multi-picklist field when you group or filter Salesforce record reports or flows. Salesforce only consolidates records with a similar combination of selected values.
Solution:
Multiple filters or filter logic can be used to get the desired results.
Challenge 5:
Multi-picklist values have a 255-character maximum character limit.
Solution:
Keep track of the concatenated values’ length and automation tools.
Step-by-Step Guide to Add Values to Multi-Picklist
We shall consider the process of adding Salesforce flow picklist values, which requires a process of retrieving existing values in order to add new values without overwriting the existing ones.
Step 1: Retrieving Field values of multi-picklist fields (Get Records)
Begin with the retrieval of the record that contains your multi-picklist field. Your Flow includes the Get Records element that is used to retrieve the current record. This makes sure that you can access the existing values and update them before doing so.
Step 2: Add a Formula or Text Variable, which will add new values
Create a text variable that holds the new value you want to add (e.g., “Mango”), which is a common requirement handled through Salesforce Customization for advanced Flow logic. Then, come up with a formula resource that will be utilized to identify whether this value has been picked or not in the multi-picklist. This is a very crucial measure to avoid duplicates and maintain the integrity of data.
Step 3: Check Before Adding: with a Decision Element to Check for Duplicates
Insert a Decision element into your Flow. Test in Step 2 formula: to see whether the new value is already selected or not. In case it is not, there is no need to update; otherwise, append the new value. This helps to avoid duplicates that occur by accident.
Step 4: Update the Record with Combined Values with the Update Records
Lastly, an Assignment element is to be used to concatenate the old values with the new value with a semicolon. In the case of the example, when the current values are Apple, Banana, and you wish to add Mango, the outcome will be Apple, Banana, and Mango. The element can be saved to the multi-picklist field using the Update Records element.
Best Practices and Limitations
In this section, let’s look at the real-world best practices and limitations of how to add value to multi-picklist in a Flow Salesforce:
- Picklist character limit:Salesforce flow set picklist value have a 255-character limit on picklist values, including the multi-select picklist. In case the total length of the chosen values is more than this limit, then you can receive errors during updates or imports. To prevent going past this limit, always check the size of the selections that you make.
- Opt to Use After-Save Flow When it is easier to Test and Maintain: With the option of updating multi-picklist fields, an after-save Flow is favored over a before-save Flow. Flows After-save enables you to view the actual record changes, and hence it becomes very easy to debug and test. They also minimize the chances of any unwanted side effects when saving the record.
- Debugging:In Flows, multi-picklist updates are considered to be executed only when some condition is met, and the user has the ability to trace the value of the variables and steps of the flow execution with debug logs. In case there are errors, make sure character limits, missing values, or formula logic are correct. It is best to always use sample data to test your Flow prior to deploying it to production to identify the problems early.
How Melonleaf Consulting Can Help You
Melonleaf Consulting Company is a reliable Salesforce Silver Partner providing end-to-end consulting, implementation, and integration services according to the business requirements. Their certified experts are experts in Salesforce Flow, multi-picklist management, CRM strategy, and seamless integrations of Sales, Service, Marketing, and Health Clouds.
By having an offshore support center in India, Melonleaf provides scalable and efficient solutions to companies all over the world, enabling companies to transform digitally without complications and to receive continuous technical assistance.
No matter what you require in automation, data migration, or even development of your unique flows, the knowledge base of Melonleaf will equip you to make Salesforce the most efficient and achieve the greatest growth.
Conclusion
To sum up, the concept of Salesforce Flow multi select picklist updates is one of the strongest automation tools to maintain the accuracy of the information and to simplify business operations. Being aware of the idiosyncrasies of the challenges, e.g., semicolon-separated value storage, constraints of conditional logic, and character limits, you can adopt best practices to circumvent the pitfalls and to have reliable automation.
The combination of post-save Flows, well-thought-out formula logic, and extensive debugging will keep your multi-picklist fields in sync without losing any valuable data. Since Salesforce will keep changing, with these tricks, you will be in a position to leverage the maximum out of multi-picklist fields and Flow automation within your company.
