Salesforce Flow is a powerful tool that allows users to create and automate processes on the Salesforce platform without writing code. However, like any technology, Flows can sometimes encounter issues that hinder their functionality. In this blog, we will explore some common errors that users might encounter while working with Salesforce Flows, along with examples, and provide troubleshooting tips to address these challenges.
1. Element Errors:
"Element Reference 'XXX' does not exist": This error occurs when you reference an element (like a variable or a screen) that doesn't exist in your flow.
Example: Trying to use a variable called "TotalAmount" that hasn't been defined in your flow
2. Record Errors:
"INSUFFICIENT_ACCESS_OR_READONLY: insufficient access rights on object Id": This error happens when the running user doesn't have the necessary permissions to perform a specific operation on a record.
Example: Trying to update a record that the user doesn't have edit access to. You will have to check all the Salesforce security settings for different access levels.
3. Assignment Errors:
"INVALID_ASSIGMENT_TARGET: Target cannot have formula expression": This error occurs when you try to assign a value to a target that doesn't accept assignments, such as a formula field.
Example: Trying to assign a value to a formula field in an assignment element. Formula fields are read-only fields.
4. Fault Errors:
"EXCEPTION_THROWN: An unhandled fault has occurred in this flow": This error typically means that an unhandled exception occurred during the flow's execution.
Example: A custom Apex class invoked by the flow throws an exception that isn't caught or handled. The error has been thrown via class, not flow.
5. Resource Errors:
"RESOURCE_QUOTA_EXCEEDED": This error can occur if your flow exceeds the limits set for Salesforce resources, such as CPU time or heap size.
Example: Your flow performs complex calculations that consume too much CPU time.
6. Formula Errors:
"FORMULA_EXCEPTION: Invalid custom formula": This error occurs when there's an issue with a formula used in your flow, such as syntax errors.
Example: A formula field in your flow has incorrect syntax. This happens while creating formula flow resources.
7. DML Errors:
"CANNOT_INSERT_UPDATE_ACTIVATE_ENTITY: entity type cannot be inserted": This error occurs when you try to insert or update a record that can't be modified due to a trigger or process.
Example: You're trying to update a record that has a "before update" trigger preventing the update. You will have to check for triggers on the same object as flow.
8. Query Errors:
"MALFORMED_QUERY: unexpected token": This error happens when there's a syntax issue in a SOQL query within your flow.
Example: Your query contains an unexpected character, like a missing closing parenthesis.
9. Data Type Errors:
"INVALID_FIELD_FOR_INSERT_UPDATE: Cannot specify ID in an insert call": This error occurs when you try to insert a record with an explicitly specified ID, which is not allowed.
Example: Attempting to create a new record and setting its ID to a specific value in an assignment element. (ID equals 0032w00001EiPseAAF, the value which doesn’t point any particular record of the org)
10. Flow Variable Errors:
"VARIABLE_NOT_FOUND: Variable 'XXX' was not found in the collection": This error happens when you try to access a flow variable that hasn't been properly initialized or is out of scope.
Example: Trying to reference a flow variable that is only defined in a sub-flow and not available in the main flow
11. SOQL Query Errors:
"INVALID_FIELD: SELECT XXX, YYY FROM Object WHERE ZZZ": This error occurs when you include invalid fields or conditions in a SOQL query.
Example: Trying to select fields that don't exist on the specified object. This issue commonly arises from incorrect field names or spellings.
12. Assignment Type Mismatch Errors:
"EXPRESSION_CANNOT_BE_ASSIGNED: expression is not assignable": This error occurs when you try to assign a value to an expression or a type that cannot be assigned.
Example: Attempting to assign a value to a formula field instead of a regular field. Like assigning random values to a picklist field or values to read-only fields.
13. Lookup Errors:
"LOOKUP_VALUE_ERROR: Invalid ID specified: XXX": This error happens when you provide an incorrect or nonexistent ID in a lookup element.
Example: Using an ID that doesn't correspond to any record in the target object
14. Collection Errors:
"COLLECTION_NOT_FOUND: Collection 'XXX' does not exist": This error occurs when you try to access a collection that hasn't been created or initialized in your flow.
Example: Trying to add elements to a collection that was never defined. This needs to be checked to see if the collection variable exists or not.
15. Loop Errors:
"LOOP_LIMIT_EXCEEDED: The number of loop iterations exceeded the allowed limit": This error occurs when a loop in your flow runs for too many iterations, surpassing the configured limit.
Example: Using a loop to process many records without setting a reasonable loop limit. This would happen if the loop exceeds any governor limits.
16. Data Type Conversion Errors:
"INVALID_CONVERT_VALUE: Invalid converted value": This error occurs when there's an issue with converting one data type to another in your flow.
Example: Trying to convert a text value to a date without proper formatting.
17. External Service Errors:
"EXTERNAL_OBJECT_UNSUPPORTED_EXCEPTION: The operation you requested is not supported on an external object": This error occurs when you try to perform unsupported operations on external objects connected to Salesforce.
Example: Attempting to update or insert records in an external database through an external object when it's not allowed.
18. Email Errors:
"EMAIL_TEMPLATE_NOT_FOUND: Email template 'XXX' not found": This error happens when you reference an email template in your flow that doesn't exist.
Example: Using a non-existent email template in the Send Email element. Check the resources with text template resource type.
19. Flow Versioning Errors:
"FLOW_VERSION_INACTIVE: The flow version is inactive": This error occurs when you try to run an inactive version of a flow.
Example: Attempting to launch a deactivated version of your flow. This means the flow has no activated version to execute.
20. Authentication Errors (Connected Apps):
"AUTHENTICATION_ERROR: Authentication failed due to an invalid access token": This error can occur when using connected apps or external services if authentication fails.
Example: The OAuth token used for integration expires or becomes invalid.
21. Timeout Errors:
"TIMEOUT_EXCEEDED: The flow was terminated because it ran for too long": This error occurs when a flow exceeds the maximum allowed execution time.
Example: A flow with complex logic and processing takes longer to execute than the time limit permits. You can check the execution time of each flow interview using debug with multiple scenarios.
22. Integration Errors:
"EXTERNAL_INVOCATION_FAILED: The external service or API call failed": This error occurs when there's an issue with an external API call within your flow.
Example: A callout to an external system returns an error response.
23. Uninitialized Variables:
"VARIABLE_IS_NULL: Variable 'XXX' is null": This error happens when you try to use a variable that hasn't been initialized or assigned a value.
Example: Attempting to perform calculations with a variable that hasn't been set. The value has been assigned as empty. There is a difference between assigning NULL and nothing.
Flow Error Debugging
To resolve these errors, carefully review your flow's configuration, including its variables, record operations, formulas, and queries. Pay close attention to the specific error message, as it often provides clues about the issue's nature and location within the flow. Debugging tools and logs in Salesforce can also be invaluable for pinpointing the cause of errors and refining your flows for optimal performance and reliability. Additionally, consult Salesforce documentation and seek assistance from the Salesforce community or your organization's Salesforce administrators if needed.
Troubleshooting Tips:
1. Error Messages: Carefully review the error messages provided by Salesforce. These messages often give valuable insights into what went wrong.
2. Debugging Tools: Utilize Salesforce's built-in Flow debugging tools. These tools help you identify specific steps or variables causing issues.
3. Record Access: Ensure that the Flow has proper access to the records it needs to operate on. Permissions, sharing rules, and record ownership should be evaluated.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting issues in Salesforce Flows requires a combination of technical knowledge, logical thinking, and patience. By following these troubleshooting tips, users can effectively identify, diagnose, and resolve common Flow-related problems. Regular testing, proper documentation, and a thorough understanding of the underlying logic are crucial for maintaining successful Flow automation within the Salesforce ecosystem. Remember that consistent learning and staying up-to-date with best practices and new features will enable you to navigate complex issues and challenges with greater ease.
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References
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_troubleshoot_email.htm&type=5
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_test_debug.htm&type=5
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_troubleshoot_url.htm&type=5
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_troubleshoot_error_email.htm&type=5
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000387821&type=1
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_build_logic_fault.htm&type=5
Blog Credit:
D. Khare
Salesforce Developer
Avenoir Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Reach us: team@avenoir.ai