Maintain Your Platform App Builder Certification for Winter ‘26
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:
- Configure a flow to trigger automatically when a file that matches specified criteria is attached to a record.
- Use output from the Create Records element to reference newly created records without adding a Get Records element.
- Leverage Einstein Summary to generate generative AI-powered summaries of sales records and take follow-up actions.
- Preview screen flows with Lightning or Experience Cloud site branding to ensure visual consistency before activation.
- Sort Salesforce list views by multiple columns to better organize and prioritize your data.
Stay Current with Your Certification
Salesforce certifications hold the most value when you keep them relevant. To keep your Platform App Builder certification current, complete this module by the due date.
Interested in learning more about getting certified? Check out the Platform App Builder certification.
While anyone can earn this badge, this module is designed for those who hold the Platform App Builder certification.
As part of the Salesforce Certification Program, you agree to the terms of the Salesforce Certification Program Agreement. Review the exam policies in the agreement and the Salesforce Certification Program Agreement and Code of Conduct article before you continue.
If you hold the Salesforce Architect certification, keep in mind that you need to complete this module by the due date to maintain your certification.
Interested in learning more about getting certified? Check out the certification.
Platform App Builder Certification Overview
Platform App Builder certification validates your ability to design, build, and manage declarative Salesforce applications and automations. As a certified Platform App Builder, you know how to create flows, configure user interfaces, and use Salesforce tools to streamline business processes without code.
This certification is a prerequisite for advanced Salesforce certifications that build on declarative and automation expertise. In this module, you discover key updates you need to know for Winter ’26 to keep your certification current and your skills sharp.
Trigger a Flow When a File Is Attached
Managing files just got a lot smarter. You can now automatically launch a flow whenever a file is attached to a record—no Apex code or complex workarounds required.
This enhancement lets you set filters so that your flow triggers only when it matters. You can filter by:
- File type or extension (for example, trigger only when a PDF is attached)
- File name (for example, when the file name contains “Contract”)
- Created by (for example, only for files uploaded by a specific user group)
When your conditions are met, the File Attach event automatically kicks off the flow. This opens up powerful new automation use cases, like:
- Starting a contract approval process when a signed document is uploaded.
- Sending notifications when a compliance file is attached.
- Automatically tagging or categorizing records based on file type.
To set it up, start by creating an Automation Event–Triggered Flow in Flow Builder.
- In the Start node, click Select Event to open the Event Library.
- Choose File Attach, then set your filter criteria.
Work with Newly Created Records Immediately
Creating records in a flow is now faster and simpler. Now, Salesforce automatically makes the new record and its fields available as variables you can use in the rest of your flow. You can immediately reference the Case ID from the Create Records element, saving time and reducing complexity.
In Flow Builder, start by adding a Create Records element to your flow. You can then use the records it creates as inputs for later steps.
For example, imagine you’re building a flow that automatically creates tasks for new high-priority cases. Add a Create Records element to generate a follow-up task for the case owner. Then use the element’s output to capture the task’s due date and store it in an output variable for use in subsequent elements.
This improvement keeps flows leaner, easier to troubleshoot, and more responsive.
A quick note on API versions:
- Flows built with API version 64 or earlier return Create Records references as strings.
- In version 65 and later, references are returned as field IDs.
- Before saving in version 65+, update your references to use ID fields to avoid flow errors.
Summarize Your Sales Records with Generative AI
Getting up to speed on a record no longer means clicking through every field and related list. Einstein Summary uses generative AI to quickly highlight the most important details about an account, contact, lead, or opportunity.
With just one click, you can:
- View a concise summary of key record details.
- Ask follow-up questions to get additional context.
- Take action by continuing the conversation with Agentforce.
This feature helps sales and service teams spend less time searching through data, get context before a call or meeting, and focus on closing deals or solving issues faster. Here’s how to enable it.
- Assign users the Einstein for Service Innovations and Einstein Sales Summaries User permission sets.
- For new orgs (after August 6, 2025), the Einstein Summary component appears on standard record pages by default.
- For existing orgs, use Lightning App Builder to add the component to Account, Contact, Lead, or Opportunity record pages.
Preview Flows with Your Org’s Branding
Consistent branding builds trust. And now you can see exactly how your screen flows will look with your organization’s Lightning theme or Experience Cloud site branding before you activate them.
The new Preview Style option in Flow Builder lets you apply your Lightning theme to screen flows, apply your Experience Cloud site’s Aura or Lightning Web Runtime (LWR) style, and confirm that your screens match your site’s look and feel.
As a result, branded flows create a seamless, polished experience and encourage user adoption.
Here’s how to preview.
- In Flow Builder, open a Screen element.
- In the editor, select Preview Style and choose a theme or site style.
- Preview the flow to confirm it matches your branding before activation.
Sum It Up
You’ve just explored some powerful new capabilities that make building apps and automations faster, smarter, and more seamless. Together, these updates give you more control, more context, and more confidence when building on Salesforce. Try them out in your sandbox or a dev org and see how they can streamline your automations and improve the user experience across your apps.