Understanding Flow Elements in Salesforce
Flow Elements are the building blocks used inside Salesforce Flow (Flow Builder) to define automation logic. Each element performs a specific action—such as querying records, branching logic, assigning values, collecting user input, or invoking other processes. By combining elements, you can create powerful, no-code or low-code automations that run in Screen Flows, Autolaunched Flows, Record-Triggered Flows, Scheduled Flows, and more.
Why Flow Elements matter
Flow Elements encapsulate discrete operations, making flows modular, readable, and maintainable. Understanding the most common elements helps you design efficient automations, avoid governor limits, and choose the right pattern (e.g., bulk-safe Record-Triggered Flow vs. Screen Flow for guided user input).
Common Flow Elements (with short descriptions)
Below are commonly used Flow Elements in Salesforce Flow Builder. These are keywords you should know for interviews and real-world projects.
Data Elements
Data elements work with Salesforce records—get, create, update, or delete.
Get Records — Queries Salesforce and returns a record or collection of records that match criteria. Use for reads in flows.
Create Records — Creates one or many new records in Salesforce.
Update Records — Updates existing record(s). You can update records from a Get Records element, a record variable, or based on conditions.
Delete Records — Deletes record(s) from Salesforce.
Logic Elements
Logic elements control the flow’s execution path and manage variables.
Assignment — Assigns values to variables. Useful for counters, building strings, or populating fields before DML.
{!Counter} = {!Counter} + 1
Decision — Branches the flow based on conditions (like an if/else). Each outcome defines a different path.
Loop — Iterates over a collection (for-each). Often paired with Assignment to build collections or accumulate results.
Interaction Elements
These elements interact with users or external systems.
Screen — Displays UI components to collect input or show information in Screen Flows. Use for guided steps, forms, and confirmations.
Action — Invokes Quick Actions, Apex actions, or external calls (via invocable methods, or platform actions like Send Email).
Subflow — Calls another Flow as a subflow. Promotes reuse and separation of concerns.
Automation & Advanced Elements
These elements support advanced orchestration and scheduling.
Wait — Pauses a flow until a specified time or until a record change occurs. Useful for time-based follow-ups.
Pause / Resume (used in Scheduled or Pausable Flows) — Pauses execution and resumes later based on criteria or time.
Record Triggered Flow Elements — In the context of record-triggered flows you’ll commonly use: Get Records, Update Records, Decision, Assignment, and Actions (for callouts or Apex). For bulk-safe designs, avoid performing DML inside loops.
Examples — When to use each
– Use Get Records when you need to read related records (e.g., get all open Opportunities for an Account).
– Use Decision to route logic (e.g., if Stage = Closed Won then do X, else do Y).
– Use Loop + Assignment to process a collection: iterate opportunities and sum amounts into a variable.
– Use Screen for data-entry steps in guided flows (lead qualification forms, data corrections).
– Use Action to call Apex for complex logic not possible declaratively or to call external systems via invocable actions.
Quick tips for interviews
– Be prepared to explain which elements are bulk-safe (e.g., avoid DML in loops; prefer collection-based Create/Update Records).
– Mention that some elements are only available in certain flow types (Screen element in Screen Flow, Wait in Scheduled or Pause-capable flows).
– Show knowledge of Subflows and Actions to demonstrate reusability and integration capabilities.
Short example snippet (assignment inside a loop)
// Pseudocode representing a Flow Assignment inside a Loop
// Assume {!TotalAmount} is a Number variable and {!Opp.Amount} is each record's amount
{!TotalAmount} = {!TotalAmount} + {!Opp.Amount}
Mastering Flow Elements helps you design maintainable automations that scale with your org. During interviews, pair your element knowledge with best practices (bulkification, use of collections, and error handling) to stand out.