Salesforce Workflow Rules
What Is Workflow Rules?
A workflow rule automatically fires a field update, email alert, task, or outbound message when a record meets specified criteria. Salesforce has been directing admins toward Flow for new automation since 2022, but workflow rules remain common in older orgs.
Why It Matters
Existing orgs often have years of workflow rules already in production, and understanding how they work is essential before deciding what to migrate. Flow is more capable and is now Salesforce's recommended tool for new automation, but a working workflow rule doesn't need to be replaced just because it's older technology.
How to Set It Up
Go to Setup, search for "Workflow Rules", and review what's already active on the object before adding anything new.
If building new automation, use Flow instead -- Salesforce no longer recommends creating new workflow rules.
To understand an existing rule, open it and review the evaluation criteria (when it fires), rule criteria (what condition triggers it), and the immediate or time-dependent actions attached.
For migration, Salesforce provides a Migrate to Flow tool under Setup that can convert many workflow rules automatically -- review the converted logic carefully before deactivating the original.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Running an old workflow rule and a new Flow on the same object for overlapping criteria can create duplicate actions or unpredictable execution order. Before adding new automation to an object that already has workflow rules, audit what's already there rather than layering something new on top blind.
Next Step
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