Automation15% of the exam

Flow types, triggers 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.

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

~8 min read · 21 practice questions ·

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

Before-save elements
Detail
Assignment, Decision, Get Records, Loop, plus Custom Error; no actions or related-record changes
Trigger Order range
Detail
1 to 2,000; ties run alphabetically by API name
Active versions
Detail
Activating a version deactivates the previous one
Custom Error
Detail
Record-triggered flows only, not asynchronous paths; message up to 255 characters
Record-triggered default context
Detail
System context without sharing
Failed and paused interviews
Detail
Automation app, Monitor tab
Sources for this section (6)
  • 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?

The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.

Keep reading with the Platform Administrator pack

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  • All 28 lessons of the Platform Administrator guide, with reading progress
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