What does INCLUDES do in Salesforce?

It returns TRUE if a multi-select picklist has a specific value selected, for example INCLUDES(Interests__c, "Golf").

Why does INCLUDES say "Expected Text Literal"?

The second argument must be a fixed value in quotes. Passing a field, such as INCLUDES(BuyerAttributes, LastName), gives "Incorrect parameter type for function 'INCLUDES()'. Expected Text Literal, received Text".

How do I check for more than one value with INCLUDES?

Use one INCLUDES per value and combine them: OR for "any of these" and AND for "all of these".

How do I check if a multi-select picklist is empty?

Use ISBLANK(field), which works on multi-select picklists, or PICKLISTCOUNT(field) = 0.

What is the difference between INCLUDES and ISPICKVAL?

INCLUDES is for multi-select picklists and ISPICKVAL for single-select picklists. Using the wrong one gives a picklist field error at Check Syntax.

INCLUDES() Function in Salesforce with Examples

The INCLUDES() function in Salesforce checks whether a multi-select picklist has a specific value selected and returns TRUE or FALSE: INCLUDES(Interests__c, "Golf"). The second argument must be a text literal, a fixed value in quotes; Salesforce rejects a field there with “Expected Text Literal, received Text”.

I tested INCLUDES and the other multi-select picklist functions with Check Syntax in a Salesforce Developer Edition org, using the standard Buyer Attributes multi-select field on Contact. Below are the results, the syntax, and validation rule and formula examples.

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