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).

~7 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)
  • Which run-context option stops a screen or autolaunched flow inheriting elevated permissions from a system-context caller?
  • Which system validation isn't enforced a second time when a record is saved from a standard UI edit page?
  • In which context does a flow launched through the REST API run by default?
  • When does Salesforce skip the steps from assignment rules through the grandparent roll-up recalculation?
  • When does a flow always run in user context, whatever its run context setting?

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

  • Core concepts
  • Exam traps
  • Worked scenario

The pack includes:

  • All 28 lessons of the Platform Administrator guide, with reading progress
  • Interactive decision walks and step-by-step sequence steppers
  • Practice exams purchase adds inline bank questions and topic practice (21 questions for this lesson)
  • An official source cited for every claim
  • An AI tutor that answers from the guide
  • Choose guide-only, practice-only, or save $4 with both

Practice for the Platform Administrator exam