Prepare Custom Objects for Salesforce Maps

Adding a Field for Latitude and Longitude

Prior to configuring your custom object within Salesforce Maps you need to add fields for latitude and longitude. These are necessary because Salesforce Maps converts your record's address into latitude and longitude values. Salesforce Maps then uses these latitude and longitude values to plot your records on the map. Without a field to store the latitude and longitude value, Salesforce Maps literally cannot plot your records.

1. Navigate to your custom object via the object manager. In the Fields & Relationships section, select New.
2. Select Number. Select Next.
3. Name your field something descriptive. For the Length field, enter 3. For the Decimal Places field, enter 15. This gives you 15 decimal places of accuracy when geocoding. Select Next.
4. Your Field-Level Security settings should be both Visible and Read-Only. This prevents your users from manually editing the value of the latitude and longitude field. Select Next.
5. Add the field to page layouts and select Save & New.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 5 to create a Longitude field.

Configuring Salesforce Maps Base Objects

1. Enter installed packages in the Quick Find search box. Select Installed Packages.
2. Select Configure for the Salesforce Maps package.
3. Select Base Objects.
4. Select the checkbox View All Salesforce Objects.
5. Select the Base Object from the pick list. You can name the object and describe it.
6. In the Address and Coordinate Fields, select the fields on your base object. Effectively, you're telling Salesforce Maps which address fields to read from when mapping. You're also designating where Salesforce Maps will store the Latitude and Longitude of the record. Once you've configured these fields, select Save.
7. Ensure you have some records of this type created. When you open Salesforce Maps plot a new Marker Layer from the Base Object you just created.