# Custom buttons, links and quick actions

*Platform App Builder Study Guide · User Interface · Last updated October 25, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder/user-interface/custom-buttons-links-and-quick-actions*

When to use a custom button, a custom link or a quick action: content sources that work in Lightning Experience and the mobile app, Visualforce and list button rules, object-specific versus global actions, where actions appear on a record page, and Dynamic Actions.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform App Builder
- Exam section: User Interface
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder

**Official exam objective:**

> Demonstrate the capabilities and use cases for custom buttons, links, and actions.

## What the exam expects

- Choose a button, link or quick action, and a content source that works in Lightning Experience and the Salesforce mobile app.
- Apply the Visualforce controller rules for detail and list buttons, and make multi-record selection work.
- Choose between object-specific and global quick actions and the right action type, including flow actions.
- Predict where an action appears on a Lightning record page, and when Dynamic Actions take over from the page layout.
- Use permissions, not hidden buttons, to stop users doing something.

Key terms: **content source** (what a button runs: URL, Visualforce or OnClick JavaScript); **list button** (a button on a related list); **object-specific action** (tied to one object's records); **global action** (placeable anywhere actions are supported); **Dynamic Actions** (actions assigned in the Lightning App Builder).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| JavaScript buttons and links | Not supported in Lightning Experience | [Adjust Your Existing Customizations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.lex_migrate_customizations.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Not in the mobile app | Custom links, list view buttons, OnClick JavaScript buttons | [Button and Link Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.links_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Visualforce list button | Needs a standard list controller of the same object | [Button and Link Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.links_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Update actions | Object-specific only | [Quick Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.actions_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Global Send Email | Lightning Experience only; can't be used with cases | [Quick Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.actions_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Flow actions | Active screen flows only; object-specific only | [Run a Screen Flow From a Quick Action](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_internal_action.htm&type=5) |
| Global Actions menu | Excludes Post, File, Poll, Link, Question and Thanks | [How Actions Are Ordered](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.actions_in_lex_ordering.htm&language=en&type=5) |
| Dynamic Actions scope | That record page only; layout actions no longer shown | [Create Dynamic Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.lightning_app_builder_create_dynamic_action.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a Visualforce page with a single-record standard controller not appear when you create a list button?
- When does a custom button on the page layout stop appearing on the record page automatically?
- Why can't agents use a global Send Email action on a case?
- Where does an object-specific Log a Call action appear when the activity timeline is used?

## Sources

- [Quick Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.actions_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Custom Button and Link Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.links_considerations.htm&type=5)
- [Adjust Your Existing Customizations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.lex_migrate_customizations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [How Actions Are Ordered in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.actions_in_lex_ordering.htm&language=en&type=5)
- [Create Dynamic Actions in Lightning App Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.lightning_app_builder_create_dynamic_action.htm&type=5)
- [Run a Screen Flow From a Quick Action](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_internal_action.htm&type=5)
- [Create Custom Buttons and Links (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_customization/lex_customization_buttons_links)
- [Provide Actions, Buttons, and Links](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.working_with_buttons_links_actions.htm&type=5)
- [How Page Layout Elements Display in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.layouts_in_lex.htm&type=5)
- [Dynamic Forms Tips and Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.dynamic_forms_considerations.htm&type=5)

## 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 App Builder pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams