What Is Salesforce Flow? Complete 2025 Guide
Salesforce Flow is Salesforce’s primary automation tool — a declarative (no-code) builder that lets you automate business processes, guide users through multi-step interactions, and update records automatically. It’s the replacement for both Workflow Rules and Process Builder, which are being retired.
Types of Salesforce Flows
1. Screen Flow
An interactive, wizard-style flow that users see and interact with. Used for data collection, guided processes, and step-by-step user interactions. Can be embedded in record pages, Experience Cloud sites, or launched from buttons.
2. Auto-Launched Flow (Record-Triggered)
Runs automatically when a record is created, updated, or deleted. No user interaction. The modern replacement for Workflow Rules and Process Builder for record automation.
3. Scheduled Flow
Runs at a specific time or on a recurring schedule. Used for batch processing, time-based actions, and maintenance tasks.
4. Platform Event-Triggered Flow
Fires when a Platform Event is received. Used for real-time integrations and event-driven automation.
5. Autolaunched Flow (No Trigger)
Called from Apex, Process Builder, or other flows. Used as a reusable sub-flow.
Flow vs Process Builder vs Workflow Rules
- Workflow Rules: RETIRING — simple field updates and email alerts only. Cannot create records.
- Process Builder: RETIRING — more capable than Workflow, but being replaced by Flow entirely.
- Flow: THE FUTURE — can do everything Workflow and Process Builder can do, plus much more. All new automation should use Flow.
How Flow Is Tested on the Salesforce Admin Exam
Flow accounts for approximately 16% of the Admin exam under “Workflow/Process Automation.” Common question patterns:
- Which flow type to use for a given scenario
- When a record-triggered flow fires (before save vs after save)
- Flow debugging and troubleshooting errors
- When to use a scheduled flow vs a record-triggered flow
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