I create the custom object named Employee__c to store the employee records in Salesforce. For the Employee ID, create an Auto Number field that generates values in the following format:
- EMP ID-1003
- EMP ID-1004
Later, the HR team wants to change the format of this Auto Number to include the year of joining. For example, they want it to look like:
- 2025-EMP-1004
- 2025-EMP-1003
As a Salesforce admin, I need to update the Auto Number field format so that new records follow the new numbering style, while also updating existing records to match the new format.
In this tutorial, I will explain how to change the auto number field format of existing records in Salesforce so that new records follow the new numbering style.
Change Auto Number Field Format of Existing Records in Salesforce
In the screenshot below, you can see the old records where the Employee ID Auto Number was generated in the earlier format.
- To change the auto number field format, you need to navigate to the Setup -> click the Object Manager tab -> search for the object on which you have created the auto number field.
Then, open the Field & Relationship, and then open the Auto Number data type field.
- Then, to change the display format of the auto-number field, click the Edit button.
- After that, as you scroll down, you will see the Auto Number Options section, where we have the Auto Number Display Format field.
- You need to change the format according to your requirements and click the Save button. This time, you will not see the Starting Number field because we are only changing the format; the count of new records will start from the count of the old records that ended.
After that, click the Save button to apply the changed display auto number format.
- After saving the changes to the auto number field format, you can view the newly changed auto number format when navigating to the record page or the field where the value is displayed.
In this way, we can modify the auto-number field format of existing records in Salesforce so that new records adhere to the new numbering style.
Conclusion
I hope you have got an idea about how the Auto Number field works in Salesforce and how we can change its format for new records. Remember, the existing records will not update automatically when the format is changed. To apply the new format to older records, we need to use a Flow, Formula Field, or Data Update.
You may like to read:
- Reset or Restart the Auto Number field in Salesforce
- Create an Auto Number Field Type in Salesforce
- Apply Auto Number for Existing Records in Salesforce
- Modify Standard Auto Number Fields in Salesforce
- Set Starting Number for Auto Number Field in Salesforce
I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.
