Replacing URL hacks with Actions

@SFDCAdvocate

Michael White Sr. Salesforce Analyst

Preparing for Lightning

Michael WhiteSr. Salesforce Analyst

Varian Medical Systems

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The current state of URL hacks

What is a URL hack?

The phrase URL hack describes a method for crafting a special hyperlink or script and exposing it via button or formula field. These specially crafted hyperlinks often used to provide additional functionality and automation to end-users. Examples:• Setting record types for newly created records.• Pre-populating values on child records created from parent.• Sending emails with a specific template IDs.

Example from the Success Community

Admin needed to streamline creation of renewal opportunities from Account detail page.

Organization uses multiple opportunity record types.

New records must be created with a specific record type and pre-set values for other fields.

Prompting / end-user selection of record type is confusing and error prone.

Create custom detail page button

Look at HTML code of Opportunity page to identify key field IDs

Add field IDs and values to button URL

Expose to users via Page Layout

How it might be solved today URL “Hack” implemented as a custom detail page button

The drawbacks when using URL hacks.

Not officially supported by Salesforce. Difficult to modify and/or maintain. No native admin UI -- limited to editing a formula

or URL string. Do not work in Salesforce1 or Lightning

Experience!

Looking down the TrailFuture proofing your Admin enhancements

Released Winter ’16Continually enhanced and improved since initial introduction.Feature parity between LEX and Classic are getting closer with each release.

Welcome to Lightning!

Start building compatible solutions now! Lightning Experience IS the Future

As Admins, we need to build Lightning friendly solutions today.Learn the new tools and technologies available to Admins. Prepare our business users to make the switch.

This WayTo TheFuture

What are Actions in Salesforce?

Actions are Admin defined productivity enhancers!

They allow user to streamline the creation of related records, can be configured to set default values on new records and are available for use in Classic, Lightning and Salesforce1.

Chatter must be enabled in order to use Actions in Classic. Two primary types of actions:Global ActionsObject Specific

Global actions are available for use from any feed enabled page.

Add common actions to Global Layout to make them accessible on all Feed enabled pages.

In Classic, this includes the Home tab, Chatter tab, object detail records.

Global Actions

Create records that are automatically associated with other records.

Commonly used to create a contact or opportunity from an account.

Available in Classic via the Chatter Publisher.

Object Specific Actions

Making Actions Available to Users Making Global Actions Visible:

Setup > User Interface > Global Actions

Define New Action Add to Global

Publisher Layout Assign Layout to

User

Setup > Object Manager > Object

Buttons, Links, & Actions

New Action Add to Page Layout Assign Layout to

User

Making Actions Available to Users Making Object Specific Actions Visible:

Demo Actions in Classic, Lightning & SF1

Example from the Success Community

Admin need to streamline creation of renewal opportunities. Business users want the ability to create these from the Account detail page. Organization uses multiple opportunity record types. New records must be created with a specific record type and preset other field

values. Prompting / end-user selection of record type is confusing and error prone.

Demo – Create the Action

In Classic – enter setup and navigate to Customize > Accounts > Buttons, Links and Actions

New Action Set Action Values – type, target

object, record type and define custom label.

Save.

Add an Action that creates an Opportunity with a specific record type.

Demo - Extending the Quick Action

Extend the previous example to set additional values on the new Opportunity.

Supply default values for fields on the newly created record.

Enter Setup > Object Manager > Account > Buttons, Links and Actions

Setting the Record Type was great but what about….

In Classic – enter setup and navigate to Customize > Accounts > Page Layouts

Edit Page Layout Scroll to ‘Quick

Actions’, locate the ‘Create Renewal’ action and drag to ‘Quick Actions in the Salesforce Classsic Publisher’ section of the page layout.

Save Changes and Open Account Detail Page

Demo – Add Action to Page Layout in Classic

Demo - Actions in Use

Open Account detail page Expand the Feed Create Renewal should be listed in

the publisher.

Classic

Open Account detail page

Look for ‘Create Renewal’ in Action bar.

Demo - Actions in Use Lightning

The Create Renewal pop-up will appear and display the fields saved in the Action Page Layout.

Demo - Actions in Use Lightning

Demo - Actions in Use Lightning

Demo - Accessing Actions in Salesforce1

Action in Salesforce1 are listed along the bottom of the App!

Items added to page layout are automatically available here if:

Added as first item in Classic Added to Lightning and Salesforce1 Actions

Demo - Accessing Actions in Salesforce1

The previously created action is now accessible on the Account detail page in SF1!

Demo - Accessing Actions in Salesforce1

Salesforce1 Users Now Have Access to the Same Action!

Admins have a single place to go to manage and maintain this going forward.

Additional ResourcesTrailhead Modules and Reference Guides

Additional Resources Trailhead Modules Salesforce1 Mobile Basics App Customization App Customization Lite Chatter Basics

Implementation Guides: Quick Actions Implementation Guide

Salesforce Developer Blog: Take the First Steps: Ways You Can Replace JavaScript Buttons

Q&A

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