Cloning Records in Salesforce: Methods and Solutions

Cloning a record in Salesforce is a common requirement for many organizations. It involves creating a new record with the same values as an existing one. There are several ways to achieve this, each with its own advantages and limitations. Here, we will explore both the standard Salesforce cloning functionality and an advanced cloning solution provided by Appohm Technology‘s Universal Cloner.

1. Standard Salesforce Clone Functionality

Steps to Clone a Record:

1. Navigate to the Record: Find the record you wish to clone.
2. Click the “Clone” Button: This button is typically available on the record’s detail page.
3. Modify Any Necessary Fields: Before saving, you can make any changes needed to the cloned record.
4. Click “Save”: The new record will be created with the same values as the original.

Limitations:

• No Cloning of Related Records: Standard cloning does not duplicate related records, such as child objects, files, or notes.

2. Advanced Cloning with Universal Cloner by Appohm Technology

For more complex cloning requirements, the Universal Cloner app from Appohm Technology provides a powerful solution. This app can be found on the Salesforce AppExchange.

Steps to Use Universal Cloner:

1. Install the App:
   • Download and install the app from the AppExchange. AppExchange Link
2. Setup Cloner for an Object:
   • Navigate to the Universal Cloner Setup tab.
   • Define the source object to be cloned.
   • Specify the target object to determine where the cloned record will be created.
   • Choose to clone files, notes, and related child objects up to five levels deep.
   • Select whether to clone all fields or just specific fields from both the parent and related child objects.
3. Using the Cloner:
   • Create a Button: create and place a custom button on the standard Salesforce layout using formula which is mentioned in their documentation.
   • Direct Cloning: Alternatively, use the ‘Universal Clone’ tab for direct cloning.

Features:

• Comprehensive Cloning: Clone files, notes, and related child objects up to five levels.
• Selective Field Cloning: Choose specific fields to clone from the parent and related child objects.
• Customizable: Highly customizable to fit complex cloning requirements.
• Multi-Record Cloning: Capability to clone multiple records at once, saving significant time and effort.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Functionality: Overcomes the limitations of the standard cloning feature by including related records.
• User-Friendly: Easy to set up and use, with intuitive configuration options.
• Time-Saving: Significantly reduces the time and effort required for complex cloning tasks.

Demonstration:

Conclusion

While the standard Salesforce cloning functionality is sufficient for basic cloning needs, the Universal Cloner app by Appohm Technology is an excellent solution for more advanced requirements. It offers comprehensive cloning capabilities, including related records and selective field cloning, making it a valuable tool for any organization with complex cloning needs. Before investing time and resources into developing a custom cloning solution, consider trying the Universal Cloner app.

For more details and to explore additional features, visit the AppExchange listing and watch the demo video.