What is Object in Salesforce?

Overview

An Object in Salesforce represents a database table that stores a specific type of data in the Salesforce platform. Objects define the structure of records — what fields each record contains, how records relate to one another, and how users interact with that data. Understanding objects is fundamental to designing data models, building apps, and writing Apex or SOQL in Salesforce.

Types of Objects

There are two primary categories of objects in Salesforce:

Standard Objects

Pre-built by Salesforce and included out-of-the-box. Common examples include Account, Contact, Opportunity, Case, and Lead. They cover standard CRM use-cases and are maintained by Salesforce.

Custom Objects

Created by administrators or developers to meet specific business needs. Custom objects have API names ending with __c (for example, Invoice__c) and can include custom fields, page layouts, and relationships tailored to a company’s processes.

SObject (Apex)

In Apex, Salesforce’s programming language, objects are represented as SObject types — a generic type for any Salesforce object. You can use concrete types (e.g., Account, CustomObject__c) or the generic SObject when working with dynamic records in code.

Key Components of an Object

Objects are made up of several important parts:

Fields — Columns in the table (e.g., Account.Name, Contact.Email).
Records — Rows in the table (each record is an instance of the object).
Relationships — Links between objects (Lookup, Master-Detail, and Many-to-Many via Junction Object).
Record Types & Page Layouts — Controls different business processes and user interfaces for the same object.
Validation Rules — Enforce data quality by preventing invalid data entry.
Triggers & Automation — Apex triggers, Process Builder, Flow, and Workflow Rules let you automate behavior when records are created or updated.

Common Relationships

Relationships define how objects connect:

Lookup Relationship — A loosely coupled reference between two objects.
Master-Detail Relationship — A stronger coupling; child records inherit sharing and deletion behavior from the parent.
Many-to-Many — Achieved using a junction object that has two master-detail relationships.

Example: Querying an Object (SOQL)

Simple SOQL query retrieving Account records:

SELECT Id, Name, Industry FROM Account WHERE Industry = 'Technology' LIMIT 10

Example: Working with SObjects in Apex

Creating and inserting a custom object record in Apex:

Invoice__c inv = new Invoice__c(Name = 'INV-001', Amount__c = 1250); insert inv;

Best Practices

Design a clear data model: minimize redundant fields and choose the right relationships.
Use appropriate field types (Picklist, Lookup, Checkbox) to enforce data consistency.
Apply validation rules and required fields to maintain data quality.
Limit the number of fields on an object when possible to improve performance.
Document custom objects and their purpose for future admins and developers.

Why Objects Matter

Objects are the backbone of any Salesforce implementation. They determine how data is stored, how users interact with that data, and how business logic is implemented. Proper object design enables scalable, maintainable Salesforce applications and efficient reporting.