Step-by-Step Guide to Navigate Salesforce

Step 1: Logging In

1. Access the Salesforce Login Page:

   • Go to login.salesforce.com in your browser.
   • Enter your username and password and click Log In.

2. Two-Factor Authentication (if enabled):

   • Salesforce might ask for two-factor authentication. You may receive a code on your mobile device or email. Enter the code to proceed.

Step 2: Getting to Know the Salesforce Home Page

1. Salesforce Home Page Layout:

   • Once logged in, you will be directed to the Home Page. This page usually contains:
     • Dashboards: Performance charts and visual data.
     • Chatter Feed: Collaboration posts within the organization.
     • Recent Items: A list of records you’ve recently accessed.

2. Navigation Bar:

   • At the top of the screen is the Navigation Bar. This contains tabs like Home, Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities, Cases, etc. The tabs will vary depending on your specific Salesforce environment and your permissions.

Step 3: Navigation Bar

1. Tabs and Apps:
   • Tabs: Each tab represents different records and functionality (e.g., Accounts, Leads, Cases).
   • App Launcher: Click on the grid icon (usually at the top left) to open the App Launcher, where you can see all the apps available to you.
2. Switching Between Apps:
   • In Salesforce, an App is a collection of tabs that work together. To switch between apps, click on the App Launcher and select a different app.

Step 4: Finding Records and Data

1. Global Search:

   • Use the Search Bar at the top of the page to find any record in Salesforce. This includes accounts, leads, contacts, opportunities, or even specific files and dashboards.

2. List Views:

   • Each object (like Accounts, Contacts, etc.) has List Views.
   • To change the view, use the dropdown menu beside the object name.
   • You can also create Custom List Views to filter records according to your needs.

Step 5: Working with Records

1. View Record Details:

   • Click on an item from a list view or search results to view the detailed information for that record. You will see information fields, activities, and related items.

2. Editing a Record:

   • Click on the Edit button (pencil icon) to modify the record. Make necessary changes and then click Save.

3. Related Lists:

   • Scroll down to see Related Lists. This is where you’ll find associated records like activities, cases, contacts related to an account, etc.

Step 6: Using the Utility Bar

1. Access the Utility Bar:
   • Some Salesforce environments have a Utility Bar at the bottom of the screen. It gives quick access to key tools like Notes, Chatter, or History.

Step 7: Using Chatter

1. Collaboration via Chatter:
   • Chatter is Salesforce’s collaboration tool where you can communicate with your team.
   • You can post updates, ask questions, or share files.
   • Navigate to Chatter via the Navigation Bar or access it within records to post specific updates.

Step 8: Dashboards and Reports

1. Reports:

   • Click on the Reports tab to create or view reports.
   • You can filter, group, and display the data to generate insights.

2. Dashboards:

   • Dashboards show visual representations of reports.
   • Access Dashboards through its dedicated tab in the Navigation Bar.

Step 9: Personal Settings

1. User Profile and Settings:
   • Click on your Profile Icon (usually at the top right corner) to access personal settings.
   • Here you can update personal details, change passwords, and configure personal preferences.

Step 10: Customizing the Navigation Bar

1. Customization:
   • You can click on the Pencil Icon at the right of the Navigation Bar to customize which tabs are displayed.
   • Add or remove tabs to make navigation easier for yourself.

Step 11: Lightning App Builder and Page Layouts (Admin Users)

1. Accessing Page Customizations:
   • If you have admin privileges, you can use Lightning App Builder to modify page layouts and create custom pages for users.
   • Navigate to Setup (gear icon in the top right) > Object Manager to modify fields, rules, and page layouts for specific objects.

Step 12: Setup Menu (For Admins)

1. Setup Menu:
   • Click on the Gear Icon (Setup) at the top right to access Salesforce settings.
   • This is where you can customize objects, fields, automation (like workflows, process builder), user management, and security settings.
   • Use the Quick Find box to search for specific settings like Profiles, Roles, Validation Rules, etc.

Step 13: Help & Support

1. Salesforce Help:
   • Click on the Question Mark Icon or Help link for access to Salesforce’s help documentation.
   • Use Trailhead (Salesforce’s learning platform) to get guided lessons.

Step 14: Switching from Salesforce Classic to Lightning Experience

1. Log In to Salesforce:

   • First, log in to your Salesforce Classic environment.

2. Switch to Lightning Experience:

   • Locate the Switch to Lightning Experience link at the top-right corner of the screen.
   • The button is usually displayed as "Switch to Lightning Experience" or sometimes as a Lightning bolt icon.
   • Click on this link or icon, and the system will transition you to Lightning Experience.

Switching from Salesforce Lightning Experience to Classic

1. Log In to Salesforce Lightning:

   • Log in to your Salesforce environment; by default, you may be in Lightning Experience.

2. Open User Profile:

   • Click on your Profile Icon at the top-right corner of the screen. This icon is typically your profile photo or avatar.

3. Switch to Salesforce Classic:

   • From the dropdown menu that appears, click on "Switch to Salesforce Classic".
   • You will be redirected to the Classic interface.

Notes

• Permissions: Not all users have the permissions required to switch between Lightning and Classic. If you do not see the option, check with your Salesforce administrator.
• Remember the Choice: Salesforce often remembers your last interface choice, meaning the next time you log in, you’ll be directed to the version you used last.
• Lightning Experience Encouragement: Salesforce is designed to encourage users to use Lightning Experience, as it is the more modern and feature-rich version. Therefore, organizations may disable Classic for users to encourage adopting Lightning fully.

Step 14: To check the object fields in Object Manager in Salesforce, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log In to Salesforce

• Log in to your Salesforce environment. By default, you will be in the Lightning Experience.

Step 2: Open Setup

• Click on the Gear Icon at the top right corner of the page.
• Select "Setup" from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Access Object Manager

• In the Setup page, you'll see the Object Manager tab at the top of the screen.
  • If you don't see it immediately, click on Home in Setup and then look for Object Manager in the tabs.

Step 4: Locate the Object

1. Search for the Object:
   • In Object Manager, you'll see a list of all objects in your Salesforce org.
   • Use the Search Box to quickly find the object you're interested in (e.g., Account, Contact, Custom Objects).
2. Select the Object:
   • Click on the Object Name you want to explore.

Step 5: View Object Fields

1. Navigate to Fields & Relationships:
   • After clicking on the object, you’ll be brought to the Object Details page.
   • From the left-side panel, click on "Fields & Relationships".
2. Explore the Fields:
   • You will now see a list of all Standard and Custom Fields associated with this object.
   • You can see details like the Field Label, API Name, and Data Type.
   • Click on a Field Name to view more detailed information about that particular field, such as help text, validation rules, and field-level security.

Step 6: (Optional) Add or Modify Fields

• If you need to add a new field, click the "New" button at the top of the Fields & Relationships list.
• To edit an existing field, click on the Field Name and then select the "Edit" button.

Step 7: Field Details and Usage

• After selecting a field, you can see:
  • Field-level security settings to determine which profiles have access to this field.
  • Field history tracking, which lets you see whether changes to this field are being logged.
  • Page layouts and record types where this field is included.

Notes

• Standard Objects: Salesforce-provided objects like Account, Opportunity, and Contact.
• Custom Objects: Objects created by users to meet specific business needs.
• Field Types: Salesforce offers various types of fields (e.g., Text, Number, Picklist, Formula). These can be seen in the Data Type column.

Key Tips for Navigating Salesforce:

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Salesforce has several keyboard shortcuts to improve efficiency. For example, G + R for Global Search, or C + W to create a new record.
• Breadcrumbs: Notice the breadcrumbs at the top of your record pages—they show your current location and provide a way to quickly navigate back to previous views.
• Favorites: Click on the star icon near the record name to add it to your favorites, making it easy to come back to frequently accessed pages.

This guide should give you a foundational understanding of how to navigate through Salesforce. With practice, you will get more comfortable with the layout and features.