Determine Salesforce Record Type Based on Picklist Value

What Are Salesforce Record Types?

Record Types in Salesforce allow you to define different business processes, picklist values, and page layouts for different users. This means that one object (like a Contact or Opportunity) can have multiple “types” to serve different purposes. For example, a company may have different Opportunity record types for “New Business” and “Renewal,” each with unique processes.

Why Use Picklist Values to Determine Record Types?

Picklist values are a commonly used field type in Salesforce, allowing users to select an option from a pre-defined list. Often, specific picklist selections can be associated with certain business processes that relate to different record types. For instance, if you have a “Case” object, a picklist field for “Case Type” (e.g., “Technical Support,” “Billing Issue”) may determine which record type is needed.

Methods to Determine Record Type from Picklist Value

1. Using Formula Fields:

Formula fields allow you to dynamically calculate and display data based on other fields in the record. You can create a formula field to determine the record type based on a picklist value.

Example Formula:
IF(ISPICKVAL(Case_Type__c, “Technical Support”), “Technical_Record_Type_Id”,
IF(ISPICKVAL(Case_Type__c, “Billing Issue”), “Billing_Record_Type_Id”, “Default_Record_Type_Id”))

In this example, the formula checks the value of the “Case_Type__c” picklist. If the value is “Technical Support,” it returns the appropriate record type ID. Otherwise, it checks for other values.

2. Using Workflow Rules:

If you need to automate the assignment of record types based on picklist values, workflow rules are a simple solution. Create a workflow rule that triggers based on the value of a picklist, and set the rule to update the record type.

Steps:
Go to Setup → Workflow Rules → New Rule.
Select the object you want the rule to apply to (e.g., Case).
Define the criteria: “Case_Type__c equals Technical Support.”
In the rule actions, update the field “Record Type” with the correct ID.

3. Using Process Builder:

Process Builder is a more flexible alternative to workflow rules, enabling more complex logic.

Steps:
Go to Setup → Process Builder → New Process.
Choose your object (e.g., Case).
Define the criteria: “Case_Type__c equals Billing Issue.”
Set an immediate action to update the record type with the proper ID.

4. Using Apex Code:

Apex is Salesforce’s programming language, which provides the most flexibility in determining record types based on picklist values. This is useful for more complex scenarios where you need to perform additional actions.

Example Apex Code:
public void updateRecordTypeBasedOnPicklist(SObject obj) {
if (obj.get(‘Case_Type__c’) == ‘Technical Support’) {
obj.put(‘RecordTypeId’, ‘0123XXXXXXX’); // Record Type ID for Technical Support
} else if (obj.get(‘Case_Type__c’) == ‘Billing Issue’) {
obj.put(‘RecordTypeId’, ‘0123YYYYYYY’); // Record Type ID for Billing Issue
} else {
obj.put(‘RecordTypeId’, ‘0123ZZZZZZZ’); // Default Record Type ID
}
}

Create Record Types

You can create a new record type for any object using object Manager. For example, for creating account record type is lightning

• From Setup, click Object Manager and select Account.
• Select Record Types, click New, and fill in the details.
  
  
  
  
  

Page Layout in Salesforce

Page layouts control the layout and organization of buttons, fields, Visualforce, custom links, and related lists on object record pages. They also help determine which fields are visible, read only, and required. Use page layouts to customize the content of record pages for your users.

Creating page Layouts

You can create a new page layout for any object using object Manager. For example, for creating account page layout using lightning

• From Setup, click Object Manager and select Account.
• Click on Page Layouts, click New,
• Drag and drop components(fields, buttons) to the layout and save page layout.

Page Layout assignment based on record types and profiles

• From Setup, click Object Manager and select Account.
• Click on Page Layout
• Click on Page Layout Assignment
• Click on Edit Assignment
• Edit Page Layout Assignment
  
  
  

Summary 

Determining Salesforce record types based on picklist values allows you to enhance your business processes and create a more dynamic, user-friendly experience. Whether you’re using formula fields, workflow rules, Process Builder, or Apex, there are plenty of tools available to make this task easier. Start by identifying your specific requirements and then implement the solution that best fits your business needs.