Navigating data updates in Salesforce using REST API? Understanding how to leverage external IDs for efficient record updates is crucial. Here’s a distilled summary of the vital elements to consider:
1. Utilize External IDs
– External IDs serve as unique identifiers that link Salesforce records with external systems.
– They facilitate the updating of records without needing the Salesforce ID.
– These identifiers are marked in Salesforce custom fields as External ID and are indexable.
2. REST API Endpoints
– Salesforce provides REST API endpoints for various operations, including updates.
– Using PATCH or POST methods allows for updating records by referencing the external ID.
3. Upsert Operations
– Upsert combines “update” and “insert” operations, allowing you to either update existing records or create new ones if no match is found.
– This operation uses the external ID to determine the presence of a record.
4. JSON Body in Requests
– When making requests, the JSON body holds the fields to be updated.
– Ensure that the JSON structure is correct and includes the necessary data for the update.
5. Error Handling
– Handle errors by parsing the response body when the HTTP status code indicates a failure.
– Common errors include invalid field values, missing required fields, and record lock issues.
Understanding and applying these five key areas ensures a seamless and efficient process when updating Salesforce records with external IDs through the REST API. Ensure to carefully plan and execute these updates to maintain data integrity and system performance.
You can read it here: https://go.alexandreruiz.com/salesforcecontent/how-to-only-update-salesforce-records-using-external-ids-in-rest-api
Source from sudipta-deb(dot)in