Salesforce Scenario Based Questions 2025

This article concerns real-time and knowledgeable Salesforce Scenario-Based Questions 2025. It is drafted with the interview theme in mind to provide maximum support for your interview. Go through these Salesforce Tower Scenario-Based Questions 2025 to the end, as all scenarios have their importance and learning potential.📌

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Disclaimer:
These solutions are based on my experience and best effort. Actual results may vary depending on your setup. Codes may need some tweaking.

1. How would you handle updating department details for existing employees using Data Loader?

First, export both Employee and Department data using Data Loader to get their IDs
In Excel, map each Employee to their respective Department ID
Use “Update” in Data Loader, map ID to ID and Department to Department
Ensure validation rules do not block the update (e.g., required fields like Aadhar/mobile)

2. While importing data into Salesforce, how do you handle validation rule failures?

Temporarily disable validation rules before data import if the rules block essential fields
Alternatively, ensure all mandatory fields like mobile number or Aadhar are correctly populated
Use error logs from Data Loader to identify and correct failed rows
Best practice: test imports with a small dataset first

3. What precautions should be taken before creating a Master-Detail relationship?

Ensure the child (detail) object has no existing records
If records exist, first create a lookup relationship, populate parent fields, then convert
Master-Detail can’t exist with orphan records — every child needs a parent
Master records control child record lifecycle (delete parent → deletes child)

4. Can you explain how view customization helps in Salesforce page layouts?

“Recently Viewed” is the default view and cannot be customized by end-users
Admins or users with permissions can create custom list views
Custom views can include selected fields like Department, filtered by all or specific users
Helps users see relevant info like Department alongside Employee names

5. What is the risk of directly editing standard Salesforce views?

Modifying standard views can affect all users and potentially disrupt their workflows
Best practice: clone the standard view, rename it, and make required changes
Keeps the original layout intact for fallback
Promotes safer customization, especially during testing

6. During a data update, only 2 out of 5 records were updated. How would you debug?

Check the error log generated by Data Loader
Most likely causes: missing mandatory fields, validation rule failures, or incorrect IDs
Cross-reference with the object’s required fields and relationship constraints
Fix errors and re-upload only the failed records

7. Describe a scenario where deletion of a parent record caused loss of child records.

In a Master-Detail setup (e.g., Employee → Devices), deleting the parent (Employee)
Automatically deletes all associated Devices (child records)
Critical to backup child data or reassign devices before deletion
Use Recycle Bin to restore mistakenly deleted parent and child records if needed

8. How do you make sure each device record is linked to a valid employee during import?

Export Employee IDs and names beforehand
In the device import CSV, map each device to a valid Employee ID
Use Data Import Wizard for easier field mapping
Avoid cross-reference errors by ensuring valid IDs from correct source file

9. When importing devices, the system threw an “Invalid cross reference key” error. What does that mean?

The Employee ID in the device import file didn’t match any valid records
Common mistake: using wrong or outdated reference IDs
Fix: re-export the current Employee data, and use correct IDs in import file
Also, check if you’re uploading the correct file version

10. What is the impact of changing a lookup relationship to master-detail after records exist?

Lookup allows records without parent references
After conversion to master-detail, all child records must have parent linked
Any orphan record blocks the conversion
Best practice: first populate parent fields, then convert the relationship

11. If Aadhar or mobile number validation blocks data load, what’s your strategy?

Identify validation rule name and required format
Use a temp CSV to update blank/incorrect formats
Disable or adjust validation during bulk load, then re-enable
Run one test record first to confirm rule compliance

12. Scenario: You exported employee data but ended with extra columns. How do you clean it?

Open file in Excel or CSV editor
Remove irrelevant columns like Created Date, Last View Date
Only keep essential columns: ID, Name, Department
Save clean file before launching Data Loader update

13. A user complains they can’t see department on the employee related list. What do you check?

Check the related list on the Department page layout
Ensure the lookup/master-detail field is on page layout
Confirm user profile has view rights for Department field
Recreate view or pin correct list if they’re using “Recently Viewed”

14. Can users customize fields in “Recently Viewed”? Explain your advice.

“Recently Viewed” layout is locked; only admins can change it
Advise cloning the default view and sharing it
Personal views allow user-specific customization
Cloned views ensure standard usability is preserved

15. How do you enforce field visibility rules via page layouts?

Create separate page layouts by profile or record type
Drag fields (like Department lookup) into layout
Assign the correct layout for each profile or type
Test by impersonating different user profiles

16. When updating Department via Data Loader, only two of five records succeeded. How do you follow up?

Open loader’s success and error files
Review error file for specific IDs and messages
Correct issues (e.g., missing Aadhar or wrong department ID)
Retry with corrected CSV

17. A department is deleted but employee records aren’t — what triggers cleanup?

It’s a lookup relationship
Default setting: “Clear the value” on parent deletion
Child records remain; Department field is cleared
Explain cascading behavior differences with master-detail

18. When would you choose a lookup vs a master-detail in Salesforce data model?

Use lookup if data might exist without parent or if child records aren’t mandatory
Use master-detail for tightly coupled objects and you want roll-up summary fields
Also determines deletion behavior: cascade vs clear value

19. How would you convert an existing lookup to master-detail without losing data?

Temporarily disable all validation
Populate the lookup field for all existing child records
Change relationship to master-detail via schema settings
Test deletion behavior in a sandbox first

20. Importing devices; you encountered “Invalid cross reference key.” How to debug?

Re-export Employee table to get current IDs
Verify correct CSV is being used
Ensure column headers match Salesforce field API names
Cross-check case-sensitive IDs

21. You want to view all devices assigned to an employee quickly. What view settings do you apply?

Pin the Device list view “All Devices” to your tab
Customize to add filters or columns: Device Type, Employee
Make it default for your profile
Pinned views streamline repetitive access

22. What are best practices when deleting a department that still has employees?

Choose “Clear the value” to avoid orphan records
OR manually reassign employees before deletion
Don’t select “Delete associated records” unless intentional
Notify users or export affected employees beforehand

23. Can you automate device assignment on employee creation?

Use Process Builder or Flow triggered on Employee create/update
Create a default Device record if criteria met
Map device fields via automation
Ensure criss-cross data accuracy and update rollback

24. You assign four devices and delete an Employee. What happens and how to undo?

With lookup: device Employee field is cleared
With master-detail: devices are deleted
Use Recycle Bin to restore cleared/deleted items
Restore Employee first, then either restore or reassign devices

25. How do you clarify which relationships are master-detail vs lookup just by viewing schema?

In Object Manager > Fields, types are shown explicitly
Master-detail field has cascade delete icon
Lookup supports orphan records unless “Always require parent” is set

26. What level of planning is needed before creating lookup-to-master-detail migration?

Audit existing records for orphan cases
Prepare batch script or Flow to assign missing parent IDs
Communicate expected behavior changes to stakeholders
Validate in sandbox thoroughly

27. How do you maintain data integrity during mass imports?

Use sandbox to test loads
Validate CSV data: formats, required IDs
Run small batch first; review success/error
Monitor validation rule behavior during load

28. Workflow: You must keep original views unchanged. What’s your approach?

Clone standard list views
Rename (e.g., “Employee Detail View (Custom)”)
Assign sharing permissions
Modify filters/columns only on clones

29. What is the impact on sharing if users see different views?

Custom views respect role and group sharing
Cloned views enforce consistent UI across peers
Reduces confusion from personal view discrepancies

30. Scenario: You must assign devices to new employees daily—what automation?

Set up a Flow triggered after Employee is created
Query default device pool and auto-assign
Send notification to employee/user
Track assignment via custom fields for audit

31. How do you debug failed CSV imports as an admin?

Dive into Data Loader’s success and error logs
Identify patterns: missing parent, validation rule fails
Correct IDs in source CSV
Re-run failed records only

32. A mobile number validation failed. How to make the rule global?

Use REGEX to enforce country-level formats
Allow blank if optional
Apply rule on Create and Update
Add error message guiding correct format

33. Reassigning employees from deleted department requires what considerations?

Export Employees with that department
Decide default department or “Unassigned” placeholder
Use Data Loader to update department IDs in bulk
Use validation to prevent blank department if required

34. What technique ensures child records are reassigned on parent deletion?

Use Lookup relationship with “Clear the value” unchecked
Or preemptively assign child records to a different parent via automation
Prevent loss of linkage

35. How to offer users flexibility in personalizing their views?

Educate them to clone standard view
Show them how to pin views on tabs
Use role-shared views for collaboration
Document process for new users

36. Tough: You need to prevent device orphaning if Employee deleted accidentally. What strategy?

Use master-detail instead of lookup
Or deploy Apex trigger to re-parent devices before deletion
Alternatively, block deletion if devices exist
Document and train on deletion protocol

37. Scenario: Device assignment report missing data. How to incorporate?

Build custom Report Type on Employee and Device (child relationship)
Include lookup/master-detail fields in report columns
Add filters like Device Type or Employee department
Pin report on Dashboards for regular use

38. What do you do when validation rules prevent data append operations?

Wrap operation in deployment by temporarily deactivating rules
Or adjust batch CSV to adhere to rules
Set Flow to auto-populate necessary fields
Reactivate rules post-import

39. How would you enforce device assignment only if employee has more than 5 years’ experience?

Add validation rule on the Device object referencing Employee
OR enforce via Flow or Apex before assignment
Use cross-object checks and error messaging

40. A department is being archived. How do you reassign all employees to a new department?

Export Employee list where Department = OldDept
In Excel, map to NewDept ID
Use Data Loader update in bulk
Verify via custom view or report

41. You need to bulk-update custom field ‘Relevant Experience.’ How?

Export Employee ID and Experience
Modify durations in CSV
Use Data Loader to update custom field
Use validation to check logical ratios, e.g., max experience vs age

42. Troubleshooting: You accidentally deleted devices of a still-active employee. Recovery steps?

Check Recycle Bin for deleted device records
Restore them manually or via Data Loader
Investigate deletion logs to prevent repetition
Adjust sharing or deletion permissions

43. Scenario: You have to explain lookup vs master-detail to a new joiner. How?

Give real Cases: Employee–Department (lookup), Device–Employee (should be master-detail)
Explain behavioural differences: cascade delete, required parent, roll-up summaries
Show schema page and related list behavior

44. Implementation: How would you track how many devices each employee has?

In a master-detail, add a Roll-Up Summary field on Employee that counts Devices
Display this field in the employee list view or page layout
Automates tracking without manual counting

45. How would you design a CSV for importing employees with multiple devices?

Use separate sheets or separate CSV imports
Employee CSV first—ensure IDs are generated
Device CSV referencing Employee IDs
Use Data Import Wizard or Data Loader sequentially

46. Scenario: You must train end-users to create custom views. What’s your approach?

Host a sandbox demo showing Recently Viewed vs Custom View
Walk through clone, pin, share steps
Provide step-by-step screenshots or doc
Ensure they can re-create as needed

47. Tough: You need to develop audit trail of department changes for employees. What options?

Use Field History Tracking on Department field in Employee
For deeper auditing, deploy an Apex Trigger logging old/new Department values
Use Shield orConnectedApp for compliance-grade audit

48. Scenario: A failed data load lasted for days — how avoid delays next time?

Preview small file first (5–10 records)
Check logs proactively
Pre-clean data: remove invalid IDs or format issues
During load, schedule batch runs for off-hours

49. API Limits: Uploading 10,000 device records—what performance considerations?

Use Bulk API (either via Data Loader or Workbench)
Set optimal batch size (2000–5000)
Monitor Salesforce API usage; stagger if limit nearing
Bulkify validation rules and triggers

50. Toughest: Design a flow to allow employees to self-assign devices without admin intervention?

Build a Screen Flow in Lightning for device request
Only show available spare devices via lookup filter
On submit, assign device, update roll-up summary
Trigger approval if above certain hierarchy or device value

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