Lookups

About Lookups

A Lookup is a type of Field in an Object.

Lookup fields establish relationships between objects, which enables the creation of very complex data models in applications. For example, in the Orders object, a Lookup field references the Customers object. This is a One-to-Many relationship, where a single Customer can have many Orders.

In addition to pointing to a target record, you can use the Lookup relationship to create:

• Lookup-Derived Fields

Read-only fields that echo data from the target record, as though they were part of the current object record.

Learn more: Lookup-Derived Fields

See also: Multi Object Lookup

• Lookup-based "Auto-Copy" Fields

Fields in the current object record that are pre-filled with data copied from the Lookup target, but whose values can be modified by the user.

Learn more: Lookup Field Configuration

Considerations

• By creating a Lookup field in an object, a corresponding Related Information section is created automatically in the related object. For a given target record in the related object, that section lists all records in the current object that Lookup to the target record.

Learn More: Object Relationships

Note: In addition to the standard Lookup fields that can be selected when creating or editing a Field definition, there are: Multi Object Lookup - Another field type that lets the user select the Lookup-object, and then select a specific record within that object. Multi Value Lookup - A field that automatically appears in the Form's field list whenever two objects are joined by a many-to-many relationship. (Such fields are not displayed in the the Fields tab.)

Lookup on a Many-to-Many Relationship

Special considerations for a Lookup on a Many-to-Many Relationship:

• The Lookup automatically becomes a Multi Value Lookup.
• It cannot be made read only.
• Layout Rules cannot test the set of selected values.
• You can specify a record-filter, to limit the number of possible choices. However, post selection JavaScript is not supported here.
• When displayed the chosen values cannot be clicked to visit the corresponding records.

About Objects in Lookup Fields

Any Object can be the target of a Lookup, as well as:

• Users

• Users associated with records in the object become clickable
• When clicked, the associated User record is opened

• Teams

• A lookup field that targets the Team object can be clicked
• When clicked, the corresponding Team record is opened

• Templates

• Use this option when using the sendEmailUsingTemplate call in the Java API. This allows the Template Record Id to be fetched programmatically, which saves time (instead of hardcoding record id).

Fields (Column Headings) in a Related Information Section

By creating a Lookup field in an object, a corresponding Related Information section appears in a second object. The appearance of the columns in the Related Information Section are predefined, and can be modified.

Example

In the Movies object (A), add a lookup to the Customer object (B), which creates a one-to-many relationship (one Customer to many Movies)

The columns displayed in the Related Information section (of Object B) are auto-selected, based on the type of object:

• In Lookups to Custom Objects, the following fields are displayed as column headings:

• The first three fields of the object, selected based on date of creation

• In Lookups to System Objects, the following fields are displayed as column headings:

• Name
• Created By
• Date Created

Create a Lookup Field

To add a Lookup field:

1. Visit > Customization > Objects > {object} > Fields
2. Click [Add Field]
3. Fill in the Field Properties, shown below.

Field Properties

This section describes the properties you can set when creating a Lookup field. (Some the sections do not appear until you have selected and object.)

Summary

1. Basic Information
2. Display Attributes
3. Default Value
4. Lookup Field Configuration
5. Lookup Display Type
6. Record Selection Information - Specify selection criteria for the records to display in the Lookup Window
7. Post Selection JavaScript - Perform optional data validation, messaging or actions after the lookup record is selected
8. Role-Based Field Visibility - Show or Hide this field in the Form, based on the selected Role
9. Description Information - Add a description of the field or the Extended Metadata

Basic Information

Label

Label that is displayed in data entry forms; Learn more: About Display Labels

Display Type

Select Lookup

Master Detail Relationship

• This option appears only for legacy Lookup fields that specified the (now deprecated) master-detail relationship.

Learn more: Master-Detail relationship

Object Name

Choose an object (Customers, in this example)

Learn more: About Objects in Lookup Fields

Always Required

Click the checkbox to make the field required.

Field Name

Name of the field, used internally in the database

Display Attributes

Section

Select the section in the default Form where the Lookup field should appear.

Required

Check this box if a value is always required to create a record.

Default Value

Paste in a record ID, or create a function expression that resolves to a string that contains one.

Considerations

• If the string does not match a valid record, the field remains empty.
• Default values do not trigger Post Selection JavaScript

Note: You can use the LOOKUP function to return the record_id field for a record that matches specified criteria. (For the User object, the LOOKUP function returns a text string--which is what you need, in this context. For all other objects, it returns a number. To convert that numeric value to a string, wrap the LOOKUP function in a TEXT function: TEXT(LOOKUP(...)).)

Lookup Settings

Record Selection

• Popup: A separate window appears showing the lookup data. (default)
• Drop Down: A drop down list appears at the current field in the user's window.

Considerations

• The Drop Down option is available for User objects and Custom objects. It may not be available for other standard objects.
• A Drop Down list is limited to 200 entries. If the lookup data is longer than that, a runtime error occurs.
• A Drop Down list should only be used for a list that is short enough to be scanned at a glance. For longer ::lists a Popup is preferable, because the user can type one or more initial characters to navigate the list.

Additional Fields to Display

The Additional Fields are displayed in a Lookup Window when the Lookup icon is selected from a record. Select the fields to display. Use the arrow buttons to move the objects to the Selected Fields list.

Copy Data

When the user chooses a target record, you can automatically copy data in the target fields to fields in the current record, prefilling them with data.

To copy data

1. Choose a field to copy from the target record, and select the field to copy to in the current record.
2. Click [+ Add More] to specify additional fields to copy.

Considerations

• Not all data types are supported. In general, you can copy the simple data types like text, number, and field. But you can't copy more complex data like formulas and attachments.
• For more extensive operations, use #Post Selection JavaScript

When you choose this option, the dropdown list shows you the fields that can be copied.

• Fields are only copied when they are part of a form. If a form does not contain an auto-copy field, then selecting a Lookup target does not copy data to that field.

• The field can be present in the form, but hidden. In that case, the auto-copy happens.
• To be sure that such fields are created in future forms, consider making the auto-copy field Always Required.

• When adding a record, if the user enters data into a copied-data field and then does the lookup, the field is overwritten. To minimize the chance of that happening, make sure that such fields come after the Lookup field, they way they do in the Default Form. (You can also make the field read-only, if the user never really needs to change it.)
• When updating a record, the auto-copy only happens when the Lookup target record changes (or is re-selected).
• Copied data in the current record does not change when the lookup-target record changes. (If the sales tax changes for a state, for example, the change does not affect records that already copied the previous tax rate.)
• When updating a record, copied data in the current record is only changed if:

1. A new record is selected on the form for the Lookup field
2. The current form contains the field (even if it is hidden).

(For fields that are updated whenever the current record is updated, use Lookup-Derived Fields.)

• Auto-Copy is not supported in the User object)
• The built-in Standard Fields like created_by and workflow_state can never be the target of an auto-copy.
• There are restrictions on the field mappings that are allowed.
  Learn more: Auto-Copy Field Mappings

Record Filtering

When the user clicks the icon next to a Lookup field, the platform's Lookup Window is displayed, allow the user to choose a record. This section determines how that window appears.

Sort Options

These options appear for Custom Objects when the Record Selection Type is "Standard".

Sort by

Select the column on which the records will be sorted, when displayed to the user for choosing.

Sort Order

Specify Ascending or Descending sort.

Filtering Criteria

If the target of the lookup is a System Object, this section does not appear. For other lookups, this section can be used to add filters using Fixed String Values or Dynamic Filters as criteria to determine the records to display in a Lookup Window.

Fixed String Values

Fixed string values define a query with specific, fixed criteria

• Use fixed string values when a simple lookup is needed for record selection criteria
• This method "hard codes" the criteria, meaning that only the specified values are used

• Over time, the string values may need to be changed, so it is important to consider how this criteria is maintained for the long term

Examples

• Display records with Zipcode = 90210 and Lastname begins with 'B'
• Display records with Membership Status = Lapsed
• Display records with State = CA

Dynamic Filters

Dynamic Filters define a query with field variables, enabling more powerful controls.

• Use Dynamic Filters when complex associations are needed for Record Selection Criteria

How it Works

• In a Technology Asset record, display a list of Technicians certified to support or repair the equipment
• For an Inventory Application, add a field to a Part Record that finds only component parts (subcomponents of the Part)
• For a Product or Service Ordering Application, add a field to a Brand Record that limits the lookup to products that belong to the brand family
• In a Candy Manufacturing Application, add a field to a Recipe Record that identifies organic ingredients only

Guidelines for building Dynamic Filters

The format of a Dynamic Filter changes, depending on the type of field:

• Lookup
• Other (text, date, other alphanumeric field)

Standard Filter Expression syntax can be used:

• Owner equals BLANK - Record that has no owner
• Status contains 1|2|3|4 - Picklist field contains one of the specified values

A derived field name can also be specified in the Value field of the Record Selection Criteria builder

• To create a derived field name, include a dollar sign ($) before the internal field name (this identifies the value as a dynamic filter)
• If a Lookup field is chosen, use the format, $fieldname_name
• For all other fields, use $fieldname

Learn more: Field Names

Examples

• In a Lookup field of Object "Employee", to restrict the Employees available depending on the Location, set filter to {0} in the Location field. If the Location is any other field type, set filter to {1} in the Location field.
• An IT assets object is linked to the Service Techs object, which includes staff members who are responsible for support

• Service Techs have an Area of Responsibility that matches one of the available IT asset Types: "Laptop", "Desktop", or "Server"
• The Service Tech object is defined as follows:

• In the IT asset object, the Lookup field to the Service Tech object includes Record Selection Criteria that limits the lookup to Service Techs with Areas of Expertise that match the Asset Type:

• When assigning the asset to a user, a Service Tech is selected, and the list of Service Techs displayed in the Lookup Window shows only the techs with expertise in the required area of technology

Post Selection JavaScript

Use JavaScript to perform additional operations after the user chooses a Lookup target record in an object Form.

Examples

• Add a validation to confirm that the record targeted by the Lookup is consistent with data in the current record.
• Copy data from the target record to the current record.

Learn more: Post Selection JavaScript

Role-Based Permission Control

For each of the Roles available, choose whether the field is Visible or Hidden. All fields are set to Visible by default. Default Roles are installed with the platform and can be modified.

Description Information

Optionally, include text that will appear as a Field Hint when the field is displayed.

Using the Lookup Icon

A Lookup field can be identified in a form by the appearance of a Lookup icon . The Lookup icon is used in data entry to view and select items from a Lookup Window.

Optionally, start typing to use the Auto Completion option for faster data entry in Lookup fields.

Lookup Window

The Lookup window presents a list of records related to the Lookup field.

To open a Lookup Window:

• From a Lookup field, click the Lookup Icon.

Lookup-Derived Fields

About Lookup-Derived Fields

Lookup-Derived Fields are based on Lookup fields. They allow data from a record that is the target of the Lookup to be displayed as though it were part of the current record.

For example, when Object B contains a Lookup field that relates to Object A, Lookup-derived fields can be selected that display as read-only fields (from Object B) within a record in Object A.

Examples

• Display a Customer Address in an Order record
• Show a list of components associated with a service or product merchandise
• Show the contact information for an Employee assigned to an IT asset

Considerations

• Lookup-derived fields are read-only. They cannot be modified.

Working with Lookup-Derived Fields

To add Lookup-Derived Fields:

• Click > Customization > Objects > {object} > Fields tab > {lookupField}
• In the Additional Fields to Display section, select additional fields from the Available Fields list, and move them to the Selected Fields column

HowTo:Display Customer Data in an Order as a Read-Only Field

This example shows how to display data from a Customer record as a read-only field in an Order.

About the Process

In outline, a Lookup field that targets Customers is added to the Orders object. In the Lookup definition, Customer fields are then selected as "Additional Fields to Display" lookup. Finally, those fields are placed in a Form in the Orders object.

Note: For an alternative, consider doing a Lookup-Based Auto-Copy of Field Data. That method makes a copy of the data in the current record. You can then edit the value without changing the original data. You might use that feature for the Customer's phone number, for example, to allow a temporary number to be used for today's order. Comparison of the two methods Lookup-derived fields are displayed when the user is selecting a target record. Auto-copy fields aren't. Lookup-derived fields are not automatically included in record forms. You have to add them manually. Lookup-derived fields are read-only. The contents of Auto-copy fields can be modified.}}

Add a Customer Lookup

If one does not already exist, add a Customer Lookup to the Orders object:

1. Visit > Customization > Objects > Orders
2. Click the Fields tab
3. If a Related to Customer lookup field does not already exist, add it, using the following parameters:

   • Label - Related to Customer
   • Display Type - Lookup
   • Object Name - Customers

Specify the Lookup-derived Field (Additional Field to Display)

While adding the field (or editing it, if it already exists), you can now specify the Lookup-derived field. The Customer Name already appears to identify the lookup record, so here you'll specify the company address:

1. Go to the section Lookup Field Configuration and under that, to Additional Fields to Display
2. Select Customer Address and move it from the Available Fields list to the list of Selected Fields.

   You have now specified Customer Address as a lookup-derived field in the Orders object. (Note that you could choose to copy data to a field, instead.)

3. Click [Save]

Learn more: Create a Lookup Field

Include the Field in the Record Display Form

The last step is to include the read-only lookup-derived field in the Orders display form:

1. Visit > Customization > Objects > Orders
2. Click the Forms tab
3. In the Elements list, under the Fields tab, locate the field you created: Related to Customer Customer Address. (Mentally insert a comma when reading that label, so you see it as "Related to Customer, Customer Address".)
4. Drag that field into the form, at the location where you want it to be displayed.
5. Click [Save Changes]
6. Click the pencil icon next to the field, to edit it.
7. Change the label that appears in the form:

   Display Label - Customer Address.

8. Click [Save]

Try it Out

From a Customer record, add an order. (That's the easiest way to do it, because the Related to Customer Lookup field is filled in for you.)

1. Click the Customers tab.
2. In the Related Information section, where the Orders appear, click [New Record]
3. Add the information needed to place the order.
4. Click [Save]

   A new record appears in the Orders section of the Customer record.

5. Click the folder icon for the Order.

   The Order record appears, with the Customer Address displayed.

6. Click [Edit]. Note that the Customer Address field can't be edited.

Self Reference Lookup

About Self Reference Lookups

An Object can contain a Lookup field that references itself (a self reference). This configuration creates a parent-child relationships between records.

Examples include:

• An organization could have multiple subsidiaries, and some of those might also have subsidiary companies.
• Employees have reporting relationships to managers and subordinates.
• In manufacturing, parts in a component might have subcomponents or be part of of a larger component.

Considerations

A Self Reference Lookup field:

• Cannot reference itself, only other records in the object
• Is not supported in System Objects
• Is not supported in lookups to System Objects
• Is not supported in Object Inheritance models
• Can be deleted from the Fields tab in an Object

Add a Self Reference Lookup Field to an Object

First:

1. Click > Customization > Objects > {object}
2. Click the Fields tab, click the [New Field] button, and complete the following information:

   Label

   Label to display in the form layout

   Display Type

   Lookup

   Object Name

   Choose the {object} selected in the first step

   Field Name

   Name of the field (Parent {object} is a common choice)

   Section

   Choose a section in the form layout (default selection can be used)

3. Provide any other necessary information in the Basic Information and Display Attributes sections
4. Click [Save]

Note: Whenever you create a lookup to this object in another object, you'll generally want to edit the Display Attributes section, and set the Record Selection Type to Hierarchical. You may want to do that here, as well, if you are planning to add a deep set of data (to make it easier to select the right parent). However, to select the Hierarchical option for the new self-referencing lookup field, you will have to save it first.

Then:

1. Click the Forms tab
2. Scroll to the Related Information Section
3. Click the Display Settings link in the heading
4. Move the object labeled: {object} based Hierarchy View to the Visible Objects area
5. Click [Save]

Display Related Records from the Current Object

When a Self Reference Lookup field is added, a new section is added to the Related Information section of each object Form. By default, the section is hidden.

To make the related-record Hierarchy View visible:

1. Edit an object Form
2. Got to the Related Information section
3. Click the Display Settings link in the corner
4. Move the Hierarchy View from the list of Hidden Objects to the list of Visible Objects

Create a Self Reference Lookup between Records

1. Navigate to the {object} tab (Company, for example)
2. Edit a record, select a Parent Company from the lookup field and Save the record
3. Select the record designated as Parent Company
4. Save your selection.