Salesforce Flow is one of the most powerful tools for automating business processes without writing code. Among all types of flows, Screen Flow is widely used because it allows users to interact with the system through a user-friendly interface.
However, when we design a screen flow, sometimes all fields appear in a single column. This makes the screen look long, messy, and difficult for users to fill out.
To solve this problem, Salesforce provides a way to create a two-column screen using the Section component.
In Salesforce, a Screen flow is a user-interactive flow in which the user directly interacts with the UI it creates. For example, if a user wants to create a Lead record, they must enter the required fields in the UI generated by the screen flow.
In this Salesforce tutorial, we will learn about screen flows and build a multi-column screen in Salesforce Flow: Screen with Two Columns. Using an example, I will also explain how to create a two-column screen with Screen Flow.
What is Screen Flow in Salesforce?
In Salesforce, Flow is a tool for automating business procedures. It is used to create custom flows, including the screen flow, a basic and widely used flow.
In simple words, it is like a form inside Salesforce.
Using screen flow, we can:
- Create records
- Update records
- Collect user input
- Guide users step by step
Screen flows are designed to simplify processes and improve user experience by reducing manual work and clicks.
Screen flows provide instructions or call scripts, direct users to complete specific fields, and perform actions like creating and updating a record, all in just a few clicks without writing any code.
You can read the whole article on How to Create a Salesforce Screen Flow.
Why Use Two Columns in Screen Flow?
By default, fields in screen flow appear in a single column. This can cause problems such as:
- Long scrolling screens
- Poor user experience
- Difficulty in finding fields
To solve this, we use a two-column layout
Benefits of Two Columns
- Better UI design
- Faster data entry
- Organized fields
- Improved readability
- Professional look
Screen with Two Columns in Salesforce Flow
In the steps below, I will explain how to create a screen with 2 columns.
1. Log in to Salesforce Org. -> Click on the Setup -> Home Tab -> In Quick Find Box, Search for Flows. You will see an option under Process Automation -> Click on Flows.
2. Then, click on the New Flow button to create a new flow. Create a flow with the Screen Flow component. Click it, then click the Create button.
3. Now, we have to add a Screen to the Canvas. To do that, click on the Elements tab in the Toolbox. You will see the Screen element under the Interaction drag-and-drop screen component on Canvas.
- Then, enter the Label and API Name into the Screen component.
4. We can also configure the Screen Footer. You can see I have used a Custom Label for the Next button as Save, and also hidden the Previous button.
5. Now, we need to create some fields. For that, add Section Components from the left sidebar to the screen section. Using the section component, we can create multiple columns on the screen and make sections collapsible.
Then, drag and drop the Section Component. To add the columns and set up the following settings:
- Include Header: Here, we can give the Section a name and enter a Label for it. The API Name will automatically populate according to the label.
6. Configure Columns: Here, we have an Add Column button. When we click on it, the column is added to the section. We can manage the column width as per our requirements.
7. To fetch the picklist values, we need to create a New Resource. Select Picklist Choice Set as the resource type and enter the API Name it will use to assign the screen picklist field.
- Select the Object on which that picklist field is present and select Data Type as Picklist. Then, you need to select the picklist field label from the object. Here, I have selected the Account object, and the Type field is the picklist field on the object.
8. The Component Type will be the Picklist, and here, you need to select the resource created by the Picklist Choice Set. We need to apply this to the Choice field.
9. You can see we have added fields in the screen element, but this time, we have applied the Section Component and added fields on the section component. Using that, we have created a Multi-Column Screen element. Then click on the Done button.
10. Now we need to add the Create Records element to create the records. To do that, click on the ‘+ Add Element‘ icon and select Create Records. Then, enter the Label and API Name into the element.
- We are going to create one record at a time for the ‘select one record to create’ option.
- As we create records from the screen element, we need to use separate resources and literal values for the fields we added in the screen component.
- Select the Object on which you are going to create records. Here, I have selected the Account object.
11. In the section Set Values for the Account, we set the values for the object fields. Here, we will set the values that we created in the screen element. Now we will map the Account Fields with their Values.
- I have set object fields Name, Type, and Email with the respective values we created in the Screen element’s choice part. Map the Account fields to the created Screen Component fields, using their API Names.
12. After setting up all labels and conditions, click the Save button to save the flow. For that, we need to enter the Flow Label. The API Name will automatically populate as we click the text box. The Description is optional; we can introduce our flow shortly.
13. After saving the flow, click on the Debug button. Then click on the Activate button; always remember to debug the flow before activating it. It’s good practice to use flow.
- As you click on the Debug button, you will see that the Screen Component we created using the Section component is divided into a Multi-Column Screen.
Then, you need to add Screen Flow to the Lightning Homepage to create the records.
You can read the whole article on How to Call a Flow From a Button in Salesforce | How to Launch a Flow From a Button in Salesforce.
This is how we can build a multi-column screen using Salesforce Flow.
Conclusion
In the Salesforce environment, efficient use of Screen flow helps streamline the organization’s automation. This Salesforce tutorial might have given you good insights into the Salesforce Screenflow feature.
I hope you now have an idea of screen flows and screens with two or more columns in Salesforce flow. I have also explained the process of creating a two-column screen with Screen Flow using an example.
You may like to read:
- Migrate Workflows and Process Builder to Salesforce Flow
- Automatically Assign PricebookId to Opportunities using Salesforce Flow
- How to Bypass Validation Rules Using Salesforce Flow
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.
