# Big objects, Salesforce Connect and off-platform backup

*Platform Administrator II Study Guide · Data and Analytics Management · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii/data-and-analytics-management/big-objects-salesforce-connect-and-off-platform-backup*

When to keep massive data on the platform in big objects, when to leave it in a warehouse or data lake and read it through Salesforce Connect external objects, and how the Data Export service, Backup & Recover and third-party tools cover backup, restore and off-platform archiving.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator II
- Exam section: Data and Analytics Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator-ii

**Official exam objective:**

> Understand methods to connect to, access, backup/restore, or archive data outside of the Salesforce Platform (big objects, data warehouse, external objects, data lakes, third-party solutions, and Salesforce Connect).

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a custom big object for billions of records that must stay on the platform, and state what big objects don't support (sharing, triggers, flows, mobile, REST API).
- Write or check a big object SOQL query against its index.
- Recommend Salesforce Connect and the right adapter (cross-org, OData, custom Apex) when data must stay in an external system, a warehouse or a data lake.
- Explain the Data Export service: editions, intervals, the 48-hour download window and what it excludes.
- Contrast Data Export with Backup & Recover and with off-platform archiving through ETL or third-party tools.

Key terms: **big object** (stores massive data on a horizontally scalable, non-transactional database inside Salesforce); **external object** (maps to a table in an external system, read on demand); **external data source** (connection and adapter definition for Salesforce Connect); **Data Export service** (scheduled CSV backup of org data); **Backup & Recover** (add-on daily backup with compare and restore).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Big object editions | Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, Developer for up to 1 million records | [Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object.htm) |
| Big object security | Object and field permissions only, no sharing | [Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object.htm) |
| Big object APIs | SOQL, Bulk, Chatter, SOAP; REST not supported | [Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object.htm) |
| Big object query | From first index field, no gaps, IN once, range on last field | [SOQL with Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object_querying.htm) |
| Salesforce Connect licensing | Extra cost in Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited | [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_about.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| External object records | Read only by default | [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_about.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| OData adapters | Need an OData producer | [Adapters](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_adapters.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Manual export interval | Every 7 days weekly, 29 days monthly | [Export Backup Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.admin_exportdata.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Export files | 48 hours; removed when a new export is queued | [Data Export FAQ](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000383962&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Backup & Recover | Daily backups, compare, restore | [Backup & Recover](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.backup_recover_o.htm&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Which APIs can process big objects, and which can't?
- When is a custom big object better than Salesforce Connect?
- Which adapter reads data stored in another Salesforce org?
- Why can an admin lose export files that are still inside the 48 hours?

## Sources

- [Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object.htm)
- [SOQL with Big Objects](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bigobjects.meta/bigobjects/big_object_querying.htm)
- [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_about.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Choose Which Salesforce Connect Adapter to Use](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_adapters.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [External Objects in Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.platform_connect_considerations_compatibility.htm&type=5)
- [Custom Field Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.custom_field_types.htm&type=5)
- [Export Backup Data from Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.admin_exportdata.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Salesforce Data Export FAQ](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000383962&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Backup & Recover for Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.backup_recover_o.htm&language=en_US)
- [Optimize Data with Archive (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/archive-basics/optimize-data-with-archive)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 11 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator II pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams