# Flow types, triggers and order of execution

*Platform Administrator Study Guide · Automation · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator/automation/flow-types-and-order-of-execution*

Which flow type fits a requirement (screen, before-save, after-save, before-delete, scheduled path, schedule-triggered, autolaunched), how Flow fits the save order of execution, and how to version, secure and debug flows.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator
- Exam section: Automation
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> Describe capabilities, use cases, and configuration for Flow (screen flows, record-triggered flows, autolaunched flows, order of execution).

## What the exam expects

- Pick the flow type from the requirement: user input, same-record update, related records or actions, blocking a delete, delayed work, a nightly batch, reusable background logic.
- Place before-save and after-save flows in the save order of execution.
- Sequence several flows on one object and stop a flow re-firing on itself.
- Configure run context and versions, handle faults, and monitor failed and paused interviews.
- Choose between Flow and Apex.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before-save elements | Assignment, Decision, Get Records, Loop, plus Custom Error; no actions or related-record changes | [Before-Save Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_record.htm&type=5), [Custom Error Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_custom_error.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Trigger Order range | 1 to 2,000; ties run alphabetically by API name | [Flow Run Order](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_task_trigger_run_order.htm&type=5) |
| Active versions | Activating a version deactivates the previous one | [Activate a Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_activate.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Custom Error | Record-triggered flows only, not asynchronous paths; message up to 255 characters | [Custom Error Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_custom_error.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Record-triggered default context | System context without sharing | [Flow Run Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_concepts_running_user.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Failed and paused interviews | Automation app, Monitor tab | [Monitor Flow Interviews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_ala_monitor.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Besides Custom Error, which elements can a before-save flow use, and what two kinds of work can it never do?
- Where do custom validation rules and duplicate rules sit relative to before-save flows and before triggers?
- How do Trigger Order values from 1 to 1,000 and from 1,001 to 2,000 relate to flows that have no Trigger Order?
- When would you use a scheduled path instead of a schedule-triggered flow?
- Why would you set a screen flow to run in system context without sharing?

## Sources

- [Triggers and Order of Execution](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_triggers_order_of_execution.htm)
- [Flow Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_type.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Record-Triggered Flow Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=sf.flow_considerations_trigger_record.htm&type=5)
- [Define the Run Order of Record-Triggered Flows for an Object](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_task_trigger_run_order.htm&type=5)
- [Scheduled Paths](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_scheduled_path.htm&type=5)
- [Before-Save Record-Triggered Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_record.htm&type=5)
- [Create a Simple After-Save Record-Triggered Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.automate_flow_build_get_started_record_triggered_example_create_record.htm&type=5)
- [Schedule-Triggered Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_schedule.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Flow Run Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_concepts_running_user.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Custom Error Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_custom_error.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Customize What Happens When a Flow Fails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Activate or Deactivate a Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_activate.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Monitoring and Managing Paused and Failed Flow Interviews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_ala_monitor.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Record-Triggered Automation Decision Guide](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/decision-guides/guide/record-triggered)
- [How Entry Conditions Work in Record-Triggered Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_flow_build_working_with_conditions_record_triggered_flows.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 21 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams