Quick overview
Bucket fields are a reporting feature in Salesforce that let you group report records on-the-fly without creating new formula fields or modifying object data. They provide an easy way to classify values into named categories (buckets) at report run-time for clearer aggregation and analysis.
What is a bucket field?
A bucket field is a report-level field that maps multiple record values into user-defined categories. Instead of adding a permanent formula or picklist on the object, you define ranges or value groupings directly inside the report. The grouped results appear as a new field that can be used for filtering, grouping, and summarizing data within that report only.
Why use bucket fields?
Bucket fields are useful because they:
– Speed up ad-hoc reporting when you need categorized data without changing schema.
– Help non-technical users create meaningful groups (e.g., revenue bands, age groups) easily.
– Allow quick comparisons and cleaner visualizations by consolidating many values into a few categories.
How to create a bucket field in a Salesforce report
Steps to add a bucket field:
1. Open the report in Report Builder.
2. In the left-hand Fields pane, click the dropdown on the field you want to bucket and choose “Bucket this Field” (or use the Add bucket column option).
3. In the Bucket Field editor, choose a bucket type (e.g., Text, Number, or Date) and define your buckets by listing values, ranges, or selection criteria.
4. Name each bucket and optionally set an “Other” bucket for values that don’t match your definitions.
5. Click Apply. The bucket field appears as a column you can use for grouping, filtering, or charting within that report.
Example bucket definitions
Example: Group Opportunities by amount:
Bucket: Opportunity Size
- Small: Amount < 10,000
- Medium: 10,000 - 49,999
- Large: 50,000 - 199,999
- Enterprise: Amount >= 200,000
- Other: (any remaining values)
Example: Bucket Leads by age in days:
Bucket: Lead Age
- New: 0 - 7 days
- Warm: 8 - 30 days
- Stale: 31 - 90 days
- Old: > 90 days
Common use cases
– Creating revenue bands for pipeline analysis.
– Grouping many picklist values (e.g., hundreds of product SKUs) into product categories for charts.
– Segmenting leads by age or activity for prioritization.
Limitations and considerations
– Bucket fields exist only within the report — they are not stored on the object and cannot be used in other reports or automations (workflows, Process Builder, Flows).
– They are intended for reporting and ad-hoc grouping; for reusable logic across the org, consider adding a formula field or transforming data at the source.
– Some advanced report types or cross-filters may limit where bucket fields can be applied; always test your bucket in the report layout you plan to use.
Best practices
– Use clear, concise bucket names that make the grouped data self-explanatory in charts.
– Keep the number of buckets reasonable to maintain readable visualizations.
– If the grouping is needed frequently or by multiple teams, implement a formula field or a picklist on the object instead of repeated bucket fields.
Summary
Bucket fields are a fast, user-friendly way to group and analyze report data without changing Salesforce schema. They are ideal for ad-hoc reports, quick visualizations, and empowering business users to create meaningful categories on the fly.