Salesforce Data Types Tutorials

To learn about Salesforce, you should know about the Salesforce data types.

You all are familiar with the word “Data Type” in programming and database, which classifies which type of value a field can hold or what type of data an object attribute can store.

Similarly, a well-known platform for customer relationship management (CRM), Salesforce, have various data type that helps to store and manage the different information effectively.

Data types in Salesforce are essential in defining the type of information kept on the platform. Salesforce administrators and developers can utilize these multiple data types while creating custom objects, fields, and relationships within the platform.

If you want to learn Salesforce Data Type, start from here:

Our tutorials are designed to help you learn the various Salesforce data types with real-world business-related examples. Moreover, our tutorial shows the practical implementation of using these Salesforce data types in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic components.

With the help of our tutorial, beginners can easily create a Salesforce application and define the object using the Salesforce data type. This tutorial will guide you through each data type in Salesforce, including text, number, date & time, etc.

Additionally, you’ll discover how various Salesforce data types assist developers in building and modifying the data model to fit specific business needs.

So whether you are a developer or an administrator, our Salesforce tutorials can help you get familiar with the robust Salesforce data types.

Here you will find a detailed tutorial on 20+ Salesforce Data Types. In addition, various topics regarding each of the basic data types. Each Salesforce data type and additional topics are covered in detail with examples and videos.

Salesforce Basic- Data Types

Salesforce Data TypeDescription
Salesforce Auto Number Data TypeThe Salesforce Auto Number data type can be used for a special field that automatically generates a system-generated sequence number that uses a display format you define. The number is automatically incremented for each new record.
Salesforce Formula Data TypeThe Salesforce Formula data type is best suited for the situation where you need to perform calculations based on other fields, constants, or functions and they automatically update when the value of the source fields changes. It is a read-only field that derives its value from a formula expression.
Salesforce Roll-Up Summary Data TypeThe Salesforce Roll-Up Summary data type can be best suited in situations where you need to display the sum, minimum, and maximum value of a field in a related list, or the record count of all records listed in a related list. It can be used to perform calculations on related records and display the result on the master record.
Salesforce Lookup Relationship Data TypeThe Salesforce Lookup Relationship data type can be best suited in situations where you want to create a link between two objects and allow one object to reference another. It allows users to click on the lookup icon to select a value from a popup list sourced from the related object.
Salesforce External Lookup Relationship Data TypeThe Salesforce External Lookup Relationship data type can be best suited to the situation where you want to integrate and access data from external systems. It creates a relationship between an object in your Salesforce org and an external object whose data is stored outside the Salesforce organization.
Salesforce Checkbox Data TypeThe Salesforce Checkbox data type can be best used in situations where you need to choose yes/no or true/false responses. It allows the users to check or unchecked values where checked is True and unchecked is False.
Salesforce Currency Data TypeThe Salesforce Currency data type can be used in scenarios where you specifically want to store and display currency values. It allows users to enter a dollar or other currency amount and automatically format the field as a current amount.
Salesforce Date Data TypeThe Salesforce Date data type can be used where you need to enter or pick a date from a popup calendar.
Salesforce Date/Time Data TypeThe Salesforce Date/Time data type can be used to enter a date and time or pick a date from a popup calendar. When users click on a date in the pop-up that date and the current time are entered into the field.
Salesforce Email Data TypeThe Salesforce Email data type can be used where you want to enter an email address with proper format validation. It automatically validates that the entered text is in a valid email format. If this field is specified for a contact or lead, users can choose the address when clicking Send an Email. Note that custom email addresses cannot be used for mass emails.
Salesforce Geolocation Data TypeThe Salesforce Geolocation data type can be best suited in situations where you need to store geographical coordinates and work with location-based data. It can allow you to define locations with latitude and longitude components, and to enable distance calculations.
Salesforce Number Data TypeThe Salesforce Number data type can be used when you want to enter any number in Salesforce without leading zeros.
Salesforce Percent Data TypeThe Salesforce Percent data type can be best suited in situations where you store percentage numbers and automatically format the input with a percent sign.
Salesforce Phone Data TypeThe Salesforce Phone data type can be used when you enter or store phone numbers and automatically format it as a phone number.
Salesforce Picklist Data TypeThe Salesforce Picklist data type can be used where you want to select the value from a predefined list. It provides a dropdown list of values that you can use to choose values from when entering or editing data.
Salesforce Picklist (Multi-Select) Data TypeThe Salesforce Picklist (Multi-Select) data type can be used where you want to select multiple values from a predefined list. It allows you to choose multiple values from the list of predefined dropdown options list.
Salesforce Text Data TypeThe Salesforce Text data type can be best suited in situations when you want to enter any combination of letters and numbers without any specific formatting rules. It can be used in scenarios like entering product codes, descriptions, and other alphanumeric data.
Salesforce Text Area Data TypeThe Salesforce Text Area data type can be best suited when you want to add a large amount of text with a maximum length of 255 characters. It can be used when you want to store multi-line text. It can be used in the scenario like comments.
Salesforce Text Area (Long) Data TypeThe Salesforce Text Area (Long) data type can be used when you want to enter up to 131072 characters on separate lines. It can be best suited when you want to add notes.
Salesforce Text Area (Rich) Data TypeThe Salesforce Text Area (Rich) data type can be best suited in situations when you want to enter a large amount of text with rich formatting options such as images, line breaks, hyperlinks, italic text, bold, etc. It can be used to store larger amounts of text up to 131072 characters.
Salesforce Text (Encrypted) Data TypeThe Salesforce Text (Encrypted) data type can be best suited in situations when you want to store sensitive information and you want the text entered to get automatically encrypted and enhance security. It can be used when you want to enter a combination of letters and numbers and store them in encrypted form.
Salesforce Time Data TypeThe Salesforce Time data type can be best suited for situations where you want to keep track of the specific time of the day. It allows the user to enter the local time in various formats like “2:40 PM”, “14:40”, “14:40:00”, and “14:40:50.600”.
Salesforce URL Data TypeThe Salesforce URL data type can be best suited in scenarios where you want users to click on the field, the URL will open in a separate browser window. It can be used to enter any valid website address.

Salesforce Data Type – Auto Number

Salesforce Auto Number Data TypeDescription
How to Reset or Restart the Auto Number field in SalesforceYou will learn a step-by-step guide on resetting or restarting Auto Number sequences in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It will be best suited when you want to organize the data effectively.
How to Change the Format of Auto Number Field on Existing Record in SalesforceYou will learn the complete procedure of changing the auto number field format for existing records in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It will allow you to control the appearance of the auto number field by including substitution variables, prefixes, and suffixes.
How to Apply Auto Number for Existing Records in SalesforceYou will learn a step-by-step guide on the practical implementation of applying auto-numbering on your existing records in both Salesforce Lightning and Classic interface. It allows you to make the data consistent and organized.
Effects when Auto Number Field Exceeds the Specific Digits in SalesforceYou will get step by step guide on what to do when the auto number field exceeds the Specific digits in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic to uniquely maintain your data.
How to Modify Standard Auto Number Fields in Salesforce?You will explore the steps to modify the standard auto number field in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It is best suited in situations when the auto numbers exceed the limit and you decide to modify it.

Salesforce Data Type – Formula

Salesforce Formula Data TypeDescription
Salesforce Checkbox FormulaYou will learn how to create a formula field that will return the result in checkbox data type in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in scenarios when your result will be based on true/false or yes/no values.
Salesforce Formula for Text FieldYou will learn how to create a formula field that will return the result in text data type in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in scenarios when your result will be a text string.

Salesforce Data Type – Roll Up Summary

Salesforce Roll-Up Summary Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Lookup Relationship

Salesforce Lookup Relationship Data TypeDescription
How to Change the Values Displayed in Lookup Field in Salesforce?You will learn step-by-step how to change the values displayed in the lookup field in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It will be helpful when you want to enhance the data visualization and update the lookup values as necessary for a better user experience.
How to Change Text Field to Lookup Field in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to change the text field to the lookup field in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It will be used in the scenario where you want to control the manual entry of the text.
How to Use Lookup Field with Filter in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to use the lookup field with filter in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used when you want to customize the data retrieval based on specific user criteria.

Salesforce Data Type – External Lookup Relationship

Salesforce External Lookup Relationship Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Checkbox

Salesforce Checkbox Data TypeDescription
Salesforce Checkbox Validation RuleYou will learn to create checkbox validation rules in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows you to set the specific criteria for user data entry in required fields to enhance data accuracy.
Salesforce Checkbox GroupYou will explore step-by-step how to create a checkbox group in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It will allow users to group together multiple checkboxes and select one or more options.
Salesforce Checkbox Default ValueYou will explore setting checkbox default values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It is useful when the user wants to set the predefined state of the checkbox value.
Mass Editing Salesforce Records with a Checkbox | Bulk Edit Checkbox in SalesforceYou will explore step-by-step how to mass-edit the records within a checkbox in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in the scenario where you want to edit multiple checkboxes at one go with the same value.
Salesforce Inline Editing CheckboxYou will explore step-by-step how to inline edit the checkbox in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in the scenario where you want to modify the field value directly from the list view without navigating to the edit page of the record.
Salesforce Add Checkbox that Automatically Checked If Record was Created TodayYou will explore a real-life scenario where you will need to add the checkbox that automatically checks if the record was created today in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic.
Salesforce Checkbox to PicklistYou will cover the step-by-step procedure of converting the checkbox to the picklist field type. It is best suited in situations where you want a list of multiple options instead of true/false values or yes/no values.

Salesforce Data Type – Currency

Salesforce Currency Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Date

Salesforce Date Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Date/Time

Salesforce Data/Time Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Email

Salesforce Email Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Geolocation

Salesforce Geolocation Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Number

Salesforce Number Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Percent

Salesforce Percent Data TypeDescription

Salesforce Data Type – Phone

Salesforce Phone Data TypeDescription
How to Set Default Value For Phone Number Field in SalesforceYou will the step-by-step guide to adding a default contact number in the phone number field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be suited to cases where you want to add the same number for every record.
How to Add Validation Rule for Phone Field in SalesforceYou will explore step-by-step how to add validation rules for the phone field in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in the scenario where you want to ensure data consistency and accuracy.

Salesforce Data Type – Picklist

Salesforce Picklist Data TypeDescription
How to Add Values to Opportunity Stage Picklist in SalesforceYou will learn the procedure of how to add values to the opportunity stage picklist field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be useful in cases when you want to add new values to the existing value.
Delete and Deactivate Opportunity Stage Picklist Value in SalesforceYou will get the guide for deleting and deactivating the opportunity stage picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. Deactivating the picklist value can be useful when you don’t need the value anymore for a limited period of time, whereas deleting the picklist value can be useful when you want to permanently delete the values.
How to add Picklist Values in SalesforceYou will learn the procedure of how to add picklist values in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic with real business scenarios. It can be useful in cases when you want to add new values to the existing value of the picklist data type.
Setting Default Values in Salesforce Picklist FieldYou will explore the step-by-step guide on setting default values in the Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic picklist fields. It can be best suited to the scenario where you want to pre-define the one value in the picklist field list.
How to Rearrange the Picklist Values in SalesforceYou will explore how to rearrange the picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited to the scenario where you want to reorder the picklist values as per the priority of the value that you require most.
How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in SalesforceYou will learn the step-by-step procedure of how to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used in scenarios where you want the picklist values in alphabetical order, for example, name of states.
How to replace the picklist value in SalesforceYou will learn the process of replacing the picklist value in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in scenarios where you want to change the old value with another value as one of the values is no longer needful.
How to rename the picklist value in SalesforceYou will explore a step-by-step guide for renaming the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited to the situation where you want to change the name of the picklist field value to its new name.
How to deactivate picklist value in SalesforceYou will go through the steps of how to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be most useful in a scenario when you don’t need picklist value for a limited period of time.
How to delete picklist value in SalesforceYou will explore how to delete picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be most useful in a situation where you don’t want to need the value anymore.
How to activate deactivated picklist value in SalesforceYou will get step-by-step how to activate the deactivated picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be useful when you want to activate the temporarily deactivated

Salesforce Data Type – Picklist (Multi-Select)

Salesforce Picklist (Multi-Select) Data TypeDescription
How to use the Global value set in the Picklist multi-select in SalesforceYou can explore how to use the global value set in the picklist multi-select in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be useful in the scenario where the multi-select picklist values are globally used and to save the time of typing again and you directly pick it from the global value set.
How to Promote Existing Multi-select Picklist Field Value as Global Value Set on Salesforce You will explore step-by-step how to promote existing multi-select picklist field values as global value sets in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used when you want to create the global value set from the multi-select picklist values,
How to Delete the Picklist (Multi-Select) Value in SalesforceYou will explore how to delete multi-select picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be most useful in a situation where you don’t want to need the value anymore.
How to Sort Picklist (Multi-Select) Values into Alphabetical Order in SalesforceYou will learn the step-by-step procedure of how to sort multi-select picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used in scenarios where you want the multi-select picklist values in alphabetical order, for example, skills.
How to Activate a Deactivated value of a Picklist (Multi-Select) field in SalesforceYou will get a step-by-step guide on reactivating deactivated picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be useful when you want to reactivate temporarily deactivated values.
How to Deactivate the Picklist (Multi-Select) Values in SalesforceYou will go through the steps for deactivating multi-select picklist values in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be most useful in a scenario when you don’t need the specific multi-select picklist value for a limited period of time.
How to Rearrange the Picklist (Multi-Select) Values in SalesforceYou will explore how to rearrange the multi-select picklist values in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited to the scenario where you want to reorder the muti-select picklist values as per the priority of the value that you require most.
How to set default value in Picklist (Multi-Select) in SalesforceYou will explore the step-by-step guide on setting default values in the Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic multi-select picklist fields. It can be best suited to the scenario where you want to pre-define the one value in the multi-select picklist field list.

Salesforce Data Type – Text

Salesforce Text Data TypeDescription
Salesforce Case Sensitivity For Text Field TypeYou will discover a step-by-step process for enabling the case-sensitive checkbox for text field types. It can be useful when you want to ensure an exact match in terms of letters and alphabets as specified to enhance the data accuracy.
Salesforce Case Insensitivity For text Field TypeYou will explore how to enable case insensitivity for text field type in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used in situations where you want to make sure that user text searches remain unaffected by variations in letter cases and make the text search user-friendly.
How to Change Text Field Length in SalesforceYou will learn the process of changing the text field length in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in situations where you decide to increase or decrease the data input size or you want to provide flexibility to the user to manage their information.
Unique Text Field Type in SalesforceYou will learn the process of creating a unique text field type in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be best suited in the scenario where you want to prevent the duplication of values and enhance data integrity.
How to Convert Text to Number Field Type in SalesforceYou will be guided step-by-step on how to convert text to number field type in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be used in situations where you are interested in converting the characters, symbols, and letters to a number field and restricting the value to numerical inputs.
How to Set Default Value For Text Field in SalesforceYou will get a step-by-step process for setting a default value for a text field. It can be used in the scenario where you want to set the default value property and add the feature of the automatic population of the text field.
How to Make Text Field Required in SalesforceYou will be guided step-by-step on how to make the text field required in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can best be suited in situations where you need to make the text field necessary.

Salesforce Data Type – Text Area

Salesforce Text Area Data TypeDescription
How to Make Text Area Field Required in SalesforceYou will be guided step-by-step on how to make the text area field required in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can best be suited in situations where you need to make the text area field necessary to fill up.
How to Set Default Value for Text Area Field in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to set a default value for the text area field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows you to allows you to automate content data entry.

Salesforce Data Type – Text Area (Long)

Salesforce Text Area (Long) Data TypeDescription
How to Set Length Limit for Text Area Long Field in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to set length limit for text area long field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows you to limit the maximum number of characters that can be entered in the text area, helping maintain data integrity and consistency.
How to Set Visible Lines for Text Area Long Field in SalesforceYou will explore how to set visible lines for text area long field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic with examples. It allows you to limit the initial view of the field for users and enhance data entry for longer descriptions or notes.
How to Set Default Value for Text Area Long Field in SalesforceYou will be guided through the complete process of how to set a default value for the text area long field in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows you to allows you to maintain data consistency and automate content data entry.

Salesforce Data Type – Text Area (Rich)

Salesforce Text Area (Rich) Data TypeDescription
How to Create Image Field in SalesforceYou will explore step-by-step how to create an image field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be created with the help of a rich text field in Salesforce.
How to Set Length Limit for Text Rich Field in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to set length limits for text-rich fields in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows users to enter text with formatting.
How to Set Visible Lines for Text Rich Field in SalesforceYou will go through a complete process of how to set visible lines for text-rich fields in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic.

Salesforce Data Type – Text Encrypted

Salesforce Text Encrypted Data TypeDescription
How to Make Text Encrypted Field Required in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to make text-encrypted fields required in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be suited in situations where you want to make sure that the record stored is sensitive and you also want to make it mandatory.
How to Select Mask Character in Text Encrypted Field in SalesforceYou will explore the process of selecting a mask character for the text encrypted field. It can be best suitable where you want to hide sensitive data while showing a particular number of characters.
How to Select Mask Type in Text Encrypted Field in SalesforceYou will cover the process of selecting the mask type for the text encrypted field in both Salesforce Lightning and Classic to enhance security. It can be used to select the format used to display encrypted data.
How to Set Length Limit for Text Encrypted Field in SalesforceYou will learn how to set the length limit for text-encrypted fields in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It allows you to store sensitive data while maintaining security.

Salesforce Data Type – Time

Salesforce Time Data TypeDescription
How to Set Default Value for Time Field in SalesforceYou will get a step-by-step process for setting a default value for a time field field. It can be used in the scenario where you want to set the default value property and add the feature of the automatic population of the time field.
How to Make Time Field Required in SalesforceYou will learn step-by-step how to make text-encrypted fields required in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be suited in situations where you want to make sure that the record stored is sensitive and you also want to make it mandatory.

Salesforce Data Type – URL

Salesforce URL Data TypeDescription
How to Set Default Value for URL Field in SalesforceYou will the step-by-step guide to adding a default hyperlink in the URL field in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can be suited to cases where you want to add the same URL for every record
Salesforce URL Field Type is RequiredYou will be guided through the process of making the URL field required in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic. It can best be suited in situations where you need to make the URL field necessary to fill up.

For detailed information on each Salesforce data type and how they act and are used in your business world, click on the Salesforce Data Type Name.

Conclusion

I hope now you have an idea of Salesforce data types. Next, you can check about Salesforce Functions and Formulas.