The Salesforce ISNEW function is used to check whether a record is being created for the first time or is being updated by the Salesforce user.
The Salesforce ISNEW function is a very common topic when we are dealing with the Salesforce validation rules, but sadly, there is no online tutorial available that provides us with complete information with the example.
As a Salesforce Administrator, I am writing a complete blog post that will guide you on the topic of the ISNEW function in Salesforce with its syntax, considerations, use case, etc.
Moreover, I am going to explain step-by-step how to use the ISNEW function in Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic with real business example scenarios.
Salesforce ISNEW Function
What is the ISNEW Function in Salesforce?
The ISNEW function in Salesforce is one of the Salesforce Logical functions that is used to work on conditional statements and ensure data integrity.
It is a function that is used to determine whether a record is being created for the first time or not. It evaluates the result to TRUE if the record is new, but if an existing record is being updated, this function returns FALSE.
Where can we use the ISNEW function in Salesforce?
The ISNEW function is available in the validation rules in Salesforce. We can’t use the functionality of the function in the formula fields.
Additionally, we can use it where we want to execute specific validation during the record creation process.
How can we write the ISNEW function in Salesforce?
The syntax of the ISNEW function in Salesforce is given below. It is important to note that the function takes no parameter.
ISNEW()Are there any considerations that we must take care of while working with the ISNEW function in Salesforce?
Yes, there are various considerations that we must take care of while working with the Salesforce ISNEW function. The considerations are given below:
- The ISNEW function can be used in validation rules, field updates, workflow rules, assignment rules, and processes.
- We can use the NOT function to reverse the return values of the ISNEW function. Example: If the ISNEW function returns TRUE, it means that the record is being created, then NOT(ISNEW()) would return FALSE, and vice versa.
- In Salesforce, the record would not be regarded as a new record when it’s evaluated with respect to the time-based trigger. It means that if the ISNEW function is used in a workflow rule that has a time-based trigger, it will always return FALSE.
- If the ISNEW function is used in a field update that is associated with an approval action, it will always return FALSE because records involved in an approval process have a unique lifecycle, and the concept of being new does not apply to approval action.
With this, we have learned about the ISNEW function with its syntax, use cases, and considerations.
How to use the ISNEW function in Salesforce Lightning
The following are the steps to use the ISNEW function in the validation rule in Salesforce Lightning. Let’s take a scenario and try to understand the concept.
Suppose we want to make sure that account number and employee are provided when a new account is added to Salesforce. The steps are as follows:
1. Login into the Salesforce account in Lightning Interface.
Move your course over the “Gear” icon on the right side of the screen, click it, and choose “Setup” (Setup for the current app) from the dropdown menu, if not on the “Home Setup” page.
2. Find the “Object Manager” option in the navigation bar and click it. Search for the object on which we want to use the ISNEW function in the “Quick Find” box.
As per the scenario, we need the “Account” object, so search it and click once found.