Visualize Custom Data Sources in Salesforce Maps

Instead of uploading custom data sources in CSV files, Salesforce provides an alternative method for visualizing any records that include location information. You can visualize those records by setting up custom objects and marker layers that refer to those objects.

Uploading data within custom objects ensures quality and security of the data that your reps plot on the map. You set object-level permissions so that your teammates access the right data across the Salesforce platform. Here’s how you can prepare for letting reps plot records from custom data sources.

1. Create custom objects.
   1. Consider the data and its general formats when you plan for the fields for your custom objects.
   2. Add fields for Latitude and Longitude. Set them as Number Fields, 18,0.
   3. Limit or extend visibility of your data by using object-level permissions.
   4. To group or filter data later, add a field for Data Set or File Name.
2. Create base objects for plotting the data on the map.
3. Import data from your custom sources.
   1. You can upload data by using various features such as Data Loader, Data Import Wizard, Inspector, or a variety of others. Consider what works best for your teams, business, and the volume of data that that you’re uploading.
4. Create marker layers.
   1. Records that you uploaded to your custom objects are available in Salesforce Maps.

Additional Details

Convert Records
Originally, to create Salesforce records from data layers required using Click2Create. Now, you can create a custom action or screen flow that you use in Salesforce Maps. Please see Create a Flow for an Object That Reps Plot on the Map.

• Flows let you kick off actions, such as update or validate record, send email, or set follow-up tasks.
• Review examples of how flows can help.
  • Set up flow and actions to reference selected custom records.
  • With a flow, create an account record and pass through specified fields to it.
  • With a screen flow, populate new fields on the account based on a questionnaire.
  • Flows can delete the original custom object record after you’ve converted it.

Populate Records for New Objects by Using Click2Create

• Not all fields can be transferred, so filtering could be impacted.
• If fields and filtering are important, consider a mass upload for your source data.

FAQ

• Will the workflow for my reps remain unchanged?
  
  • No, end users will see change to work flow. Consider change management strategy and some of the alternative solutions called out in this article.
• What happens to my layers after the feature retirement on May 16, 2025?
  
  • Layers won’t be available after the feature is retired.