salesforce flow assignment

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Flow Operators in Assignment Elements

Use Assignment element operators to change the value of a selected resource.

Required Editions

Use this reference to understand the supported operators. The list is organized according to the data type that you select for Resource.

Apex-Defined

Match the @AuraEnabled attribute’s Apex data type with a flow data type in this reference to determine which operators are supported.

Replace a Boolean resource with a new value.

Update or replace the value of a collection variable or record collection variable.

Currency and Number

Replace (Equals), add to (Add), or subtract from (Subtract) the value of a currency or number resource. Count (Equals Count) the number of active stages or the number of items in a collection.

Replace (Equals), add to (Add), or subtract from (Subtract) the value of a date/time resource.

Replace a date/time resource with a new value (Equals).

Replace a picklist resource with a new value (Equals) or concatenate a value onto the original value (Add).

Replace a multi-select picklist resource with a new value (Equals), concatenate a value onto the original value (Add), or add a selection to the resource (Add Item).

Replace a record variable with a new value (Equals).

You can’t update the value of a stage, but you can update the values of the stage global variables: $Flow.CurrentStage and $Flow.ActiveStages .

$Flow.CurrentStage

Replace the stage selected in $Flow.CurrentStage .

$Flow.ActiveStages

Add or remove active stages in the $Flow.ActiveStages global variable.

Replace a text resource with a new value (Equals) or concatenate a value onto the end of the original value (Add).

Salesforce Flowsome!

An Easy Flow Guide For Admins

Flow: How To Use “Assignment”

Assignment is the equal sign of flow (As you see in the icon). If you want to change the value of your variables, you will have to do it through Assignments.

Some important notes before we dive into the details of Assignments:

1. Assignment Cannot Update Data Directly

If you have read my introduction of flow , you should know that Assignment is a logic element, so it does not have direct impact of your records. If you want to interact with your records, make sure you use a data element (Get, Create, Update, Delete).

2. Sometimes Assignment Can Be Skipped

Assignment is usually used for more complex operations (ex. in a loop or as a switch). If you simply want to change record fields, an Update Records element should be sufficient.

There are three main fields – Variable, Operator, and Value.

Assignment Fields

Assignment operators, check out how assignment can be used in real cases .

Flow: How To Use In / Not In Operators

Use Case: Connect Files to Multiple Records in Flow

Flow: How To De-duplicate Collection In 3 Ways

Use Case: Use Flow To Auto Close The Spam Case

Official Salesforce Help Article On Assignment

← Flow: How To Use Record Id
Flow: How To Use “Delete Records” →

I am building out a record triggered task flow that uses a formula to update a field on the task. In the formula, I am using some lead record fields and used a get record element. I am trying to then populate that same value from the formula task to the lead. I came across your blog after trying to understand what I was doing wrong, currently I am using an assignment element to try to map the value from the formula to the lead field. Although, it works when I debug it doesn’t actually save the value on the record. Based on “1. Assignment Cannot Update Data Directly” on your blog I learned this is not possible, the introduction of flow link is not working for me, is that information available?

I want to assign a text variable to wo.serviceTerritory.SeriveResource. Can you please suggest me how can I do it with the Assignment component in flow ?Thanks

Hi, so is the field you want to update already exist in the Flow? If so, you can simply find that field and use the Equal operator. If not, you can use Update Records element to find the field and use Equal operator

Just want to say thank you so much Melody for putting these valuable information here, really easy to understand! There’s so much of effort that you’ve put into this blog. I really appreciate that you put the time and effort together to share your knowledge.

About 25 mins

Learning Objectives

Manipulate data with the assignment element, calculate changes automatically with formulas.

Challenge +500 points

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Calculate values in variables and formulas.

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:

Concatenate two text values in a flow.
Add and subtract numerical and date values in a flow.
Create a formula to calculate dynamic values in a flow.
Explain why you might use a formula in a flow.

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The Assignment element can also change existing variable data instead of fully replacing it.

Combine Text

When the data type of a variable is text, you can select Add as the Assignment element’s operator. The Add operator lets you add text to the end of the current value.

The Set Shipping Address flow is working pretty well, but now Flo wants to know how current the shipping address is. In the Copy Address assignment element, let’s add a row that appends a note to the account’s Description field, indicating the date when the shipping address was added to the account. We don’t want to replace what’s already in the Description field, just add a note to the end. However, keep in mind that Salesforce can’t combine text variables with non-text resources, such as date variables or number fields. To add non-text data, create a formula that uses the TEXT() function to convert the non-text value to text.

First, let’s create a formula that contains the added text.

Click New Resource .
For Resource Type, select Formula .
For API Name, enter frmChangeDateNote .
For Data Type, select Text . (Even though we’re adding a date, the end result has to be the Text data type so we can add it to a text field.)
Enter this text in the Formula field: " Shipping Address added on " & TEXT()
Place the cursor within the parentheses ( ).
In the Insert a resource… field, select $Flow > Current Date .

The formula field corresponding to the preceding steps

Click Done .

Before we move on to the next step, let’s pause and take a look at a few things in that formula.

Notice the spaces at the beginning and end of the phrase in quotation marks. The spaces separate the new phrase from text that’s already in the Description field and from the date that follows. For example, without a space at the end, the flow would set the description to “Shipping Address added on03-02-2023 ” .
The & tells the formula to combine the text before and after, similar to what we’re doing with the assignment’s Add operator.
The TEXT() function converts what’s inside it to text so that it can be used in a text field.

Next, add the text addition line to the Copy Billing Address assignment.

Click the Copy Billing Address element and select Edit Element .
Click + Add Assignment .
In the Variable field, select Account from Get Account Data , then select Account Description . We set the account variable’s Description field here because it’s the variable that’s changing.
In the Operator field, select Add .

The variable, operator, and value corresponding to the preceding steps.

Save the flow.

Now, when the Update Records element updates the account, the update includes the altered Description.

If you’re using an assignment just to combine two texts without any conversion, you don’t need a formula to add a space between the old and new text. You can manually add a space before the new text in the Value field. For example, with a variable named “Answer”, you can enter “ {!Answer} ” directly in the Value field.

Perform Simple Calculations

You can also use the Add operator to add to a variable with the number or currency data type. However, this performs actual math; if you combine the number values 4 and 2, you get 6, not 42. You can also use the Subtract operator to subtract from number and currency variable values.

For example, this Assignment element subtracts a discount from an opportunity’s amount. The opportunity variable’s Amount goes in the Variable field, because that’s the value that’s changing. The Operator is set to Subtract . Finally, the variable with the discount amount goes in the Value field.

The New Assignment side panel corresponding to the preceding and following descriptions.

But check out that second line: it’s adding to a date field. You can also use the Add and Subtract operators to add or subtract days from a date value. This Assignment element adds 2 days to the opportunity’s close date.

When you created the frmChangeDateNote formula, the & symbol combined two texts, functioning the same way the Add operator works in an assignment. So why didn’t we use the & symbol to attach the date directly to the Description field? The & symbol works only in formulas, and Description is a long text field. In flow formulas, Salesforce doesn’t allow long text fields because they can easily exceed the calculation limit for a formula.

This restriction is an example of the limits and complications with formulas in flows. Flow formulas have limited calculation time and a limited number of characters, which makes complex formulas inherently risky. Plus, unlike variables, formulas can’t be changed mid-flow. So when is it a good idea to use a formula?

Think of formulas like those other screwdrivers that come with your toolkit, the ones with the tips in shapes you’ve never seen before. You may not use them much, but when you actually encounter a screw with one of those tips, you’re glad you have that special tool! In other words, as a general rule, you should use a formula when you’re in a situation that only a formula can resolve.

Flo Smith holding an oddly shaped screwdriver with a quizzical look.

The frmChangeDateNote formula is a great example that follows that rule. We can’t use just an Assignment element to attach the date to the description because the date has to be converted to a text value first. We need the formula’s TEXT() function to do the conversion.

Trailhead : Formulas and Validations (Use Formula Fields)
Salesforce Help : Flow Formula Considerations

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What is Assignment in Salesforce Flow – Detailed Guide

Salesforce is a rapidly growing customer relationship management platform that reshapes how businesses engage with their clients. It provides numerous features that assist in transforming your business's income by handling customer service, sales, marketing, and more.

At the heart of this transformation lies Salesforce Flow. It is an automation tool that helps users to create smooth workflows and improve operational efficiency. Now you must be thinking: what is Assignment in Salesforce Flow?

Don’t worry. We’ve you covered! In this blog, we’ll discuss a necessary component of the Salesforce system – Assignments in Salesforce Flow. Nowadays, every company wants to make its processes easier within the Salesforce ecosystem. It’s where Salesforce Flow Assignments come in.

This blog will provide all the necessary information to help understand Assignments in Salesforce Flow. So, let’s start!

Introduction to Salesforce Flow

Salesforce Flow is an automation tool within the Salesforce platform designed to simplify and automate complicated business procedures. It allows users to design, create, and manage workflows that guide users via a series of screens and collect data to perform specific actions.

Besides, with Salesforce Flow, you can automate repetitious tasks and integrate with external systems without extensive coding. You can use flow for various purposes, such as updating records, creating records, sending emails, and more.

In short, Salesforce flow provides a flexible and dynamic way to automate business processes, making it more effortless for organizations to adjust and optimize their workflows within the Salesforce environment.

For more details, visit How to Export Flow Salesforce.

What is Assignment in Salesforce Flow?

Understanding the Assignment element in Salesforce Flow seems a bit tricky at first, but there is nothing to worry about. We’ve created this guide in an easy-to-grasp way to help you understand quickly.

In Salesforce Flow, an "Assignment" is a fundamental building block that helps you manage and manipulate data and allows you to assign values to variables. Variables store and organize data within a flow, and Assignments enable you to control and modify these values as the flow progresses. It's like giving instructions to the flow on how to handle data.

In other words, Assignments are valuable when you need to perform calculations, update variables based on user interactions, or make decisions that dynamically affect the flow of your processes.

To simplify, imagine you're guiding a conversation in your flow, and Assignments are like the instructions you give to the system about what values variables should take on. This versatility allows you to create responsive flows, whether dealing with numbers, picklists, checkboxes, or text fields.

Benefits of Using Assignments in Salesforce Flow

Using Assignments in Salesforce Flow offers several benefits, such as:

Data Manipulation

Assignments allow you to manipulate data by changing the values of variables during the flow. It is especially beneficial for performing calculations or updating information based on specific conditions.

Dynamic Decision-Making

You can use Assignments to control the flow of your process dynamically. Depending on user inputs or other conditions, Assignments help set variables to different values to enable you to tailor the flow based on specific scenarios.

User Interaction Handling

In Visual Flows, Assignments are valuable for responding to user selections. You can adjust variables based on the user's choices within the flow by providing a more personalized and interactive experience.

Record Updates

Assignments are often used to update records. By assigning new values to fields in records, you can ensure that your Salesforce database stays up-to-date as your flow progresses.

Calculation Support

When dealing with numeric variables, Assignments excel in performing calculations. Whether it's summing up amounts from a query or applying mathematical operations, Assignments make complex calculations manageable.

Flexibility Across Field Types

Assignments aren't limited to numeric fields – you can use them with various field types, including checkboxes, picklists, and text fields. This versatility allows you to handle a wide range of data scenarios.

Customization and Adaptability

Knowing how to use Assignments effectively enhances the overall customization and adaptability of your Salesforce Flow. It allows you to create vibrant, responsive, tailored automation that aligns precisely with your business operations.

Basic Information About Assignments

What assignments do.

The Assignment element executes mathematical operations and transfers data between variables.

What Assignments don’t do?

They don't assess criteria to generate True/False results.

Assignments operate from the right to the left side.

Adding 1 to “Variable1” will increase the value of “Variable1.”

Setting “Variable1” to Equal “Variable2” transfers the value of “Variable2” to “Variable1.”

Assignment Fields

Variable [Place the variable you want to modify (change in value), whether it's an existing resource or one you intend to create.]

Operator (Specify how the variable changes based on the value. Remember, the available operators depend on the type of variable you are using.)

Value (It can be an existent resource or manually typed-in values.)

Popular Operators

Add (Available Variable Type: Number, Text, Date, Currency, Picklist, Collection.)

Subtract (Available Variable Type: Date, Number, Currency.)

Equals (Available Variable Type: Text, Number, Picklist, Date, Date/Time, Currency, Collection.)

Add Item (Multiselect Picklist)

Popular Collection Operations

Add At Start [Text Collections]

Remove After First [Text Collections]

Remove Uncommon

Equals Count

Essential Tips

If you want to run one assignment after another, employ two consecutive assignment elements.

Construct formula resources for complicated statements.

Utilize functions by incorporating them into a formula resource instead of using them directly.

Overall, the “Assignment” element is a necessary part of Salesforce Flow that enables users to change the value of variables and fields within a flow. It is a logic element that does not directly affect the contents of the Salesforce database but is used to interact with records and resources within the flow.

Additionally, the Assignment element helps set or change record values before creating or updating them and for using variables to perform logical functions. Besides, it’s important to note that Assignments cannot update data directly, and sometimes you can skip it if you can use a simple element like Update Records instead.

So, by understanding how to use the Assignment element, you can create more efficient and effective flows to automate your processes in Salesforce.

Collection Assignment Operators in Flow

October 7, 2022 Yumi Ibrahimzade Automation , Flow 3

Variable is a place holder that stores a value of a specific data type, which can be used or changed throughout the flow. It can store a single value or it can be configured as a collection, which makes it an ordered list of a specific data type. The value that it stores can be easily changed using the assignment element. When using the assignment element, operators depend on the type of the variable. For instance, if it is a text variable, only "Equals" and "Add" operators are available. On the other hand, if it is a collection variable, you will see more operator options. There are many assignment operators that you can use with collection variables. Although "Equals" and "Add" operators are the most common ones, there are many useful collection assignment operators in Salesforce Flow.

Let's say that there are two text collection variables in a screen flow. The first one stores the names of the test accounts. The second one stores the names of the accounts that contain "Account".

Now, let's see how to use the collection assignment operators.

Equals operator replaces the value of the Variable. You have to select a collection of the same data type or object type. If you are working with a record collection, it is also possible to select a single record variable as the Value.

In this case, equals operator makes the FirstCollection equal to the SecondCollection.

As you can see, value of the FirstCollection is equal to the SecondCollection.

Add operator adds the Value as a new item at the end of the collection in Variable. Just like the Equals operator, you have to select a collection of the same data type or object type. If you are working with a record collection, you can also select a single record variable as the Value.

In this case, Add operator adds the SecondCollection to the end of the FirstCollection.

3- Remove First

Remove First operator removes the first instance of the Value from the selected collection in Variable. For the Value, you have to select a single variable of the same data type.

Let's assume that SingleAccountName is a text variable that stores "Test2". In this case, it removes this value from the FirstCollection.

Assignment Operators: Remove First Operator

As you can see, FirstCollection doesn't contain "Test2" anymore.

4- Remove Before First

Remove Before First operator finds the first instance of the Value in the selected collection. Then it removes all the items before that first instance. For the Value, just like the Remove First operator, you have to select a single variable of the same data type.

In this case, it removes all the values before "Test2".

Assignment Operators: Remove Before First Operator

As you can see, all the values before "Test2" are removed from the FirstCollection.

5- Remove After First

This is the opposite of the Remove Before First operator. It finds the first instance of the Value in the selected collection. Then it removes all the items after that first instance. For the Value, just like the Remove Before First operator, you have to select a single variable of the same data type.

In this case, it removes all the values after "Test2".

Assignment Operators: Remove After First Operator

As you can see, all the values after "Test2" are removed from the FirstCollection.

6- Remove All

Remove All operator removes all instances of the Value from the selected collection in Variable. For the Value, you can select a collection of the same data type or object type. You can also select a variable of the same data type or record variable of the same object type.

Just for this example, let's double the values of the FirstCollection. As you can see, it contains "Test Account1" and "Test Account2" twice.

Now, let's remove all the values of the SecondCollection from the FirstCollection.

Assignment Operators: Remove All Operator

As you can see, "Test Account1" and "Test Account2" are removed from the FirstCollection.

7- Add At Start

Add At Start operator adds the Value as a new item at the beginning of the collection in Variable. It is just like the Add operator, but it adds the Value to the beginning. For the Value, you can select a collection of the same data type or object type. Or you can also select a variable of the same data type or record variable of the same object type.

In this case, it adds the values of the SecondCollection to the start of the FirstCollection.

Assignment Operators: Add At Start Operator

8- Remove Uncommon

Remove Uncommon operator finds the items in the Value collection within the Variable collection. Then it keeps the found items, and removes all other items from the collection in Variable. For the Value, you have to select a collection of the same data type or object type.

Before doing this example, let's add "Yumi" to the SecondCollection. As you can see, "Test Account1" and "Test Account2" are the common values.

In this case, Remove Uncommon operator removes the rest of the values from the FirstCollection.

Assignment Operators: Remove Uncommon Operator

9- Remove Position

Collections store multiple values of the same data type or records of the same object in an ordered list. It means that each item in a collection has a position. You have to enter a number for the Value. It specifies a position in the collection. Remove Position operator removes the item at the position from the collection in Variable.

In our example, FirstCollection has 7 items and the 3rd one is "Test1".

Assignment Operators: Remove Position Operator

As you can see, 3rd item ("Test1") is removed from the FirstCollection.

There is something that you have to pay attention here. If the collection has less items than the number that you entered, it cannot remove the item. In this case, flow fails.

For example, FirstCollection has 7 items. If you use the Remove Position operator and enter 10 for the Value, flow fails with this error:

Error element Collection_Assignment (FlowAssignment). The "Collection_Assignment" element can't remove the item in position 10 of the "FirstCollection" collection variable because the collection contains only 7 items.

There are many assignment operators that you can use for collections. Although "Add" and "Equals" operators are the ones that you need almost in any flow, the remaining operators can be very useful as well. It is important to understand how to use them. In some cases, they might make your flows less complicated and perform faster.

Very helpful. Thanks.

Can you use with record variables?

Yes, of course.