Get Started with Custom Metadata Types
Learning Objectives
- Define custom metadata types.
- Identify several use cases for custom metadata types.
Before You Begin
To get the most out of this module, you should be familiar with the fundamentals of creating objects, modeling data, and setting permissions. For an introduction to the basics, or for a refresher, complete the Data Modeling and Data Security modules here on Trailhead before you continue in this module.
Introduction
Let’s start from the beginning… What is metadata? Metadata is data that describes other data. For example, in a Salesforce org, there is a standard object called Account. When you add a record with a customer’s contact information to an Account, you are adding metadata and data. Field names, such as first name and last name are metadata. The values in those fields, for example, Amy and Lane are data.
So, what is a custom metadata type? A custom metadata type is an object that is used to define the structure for application metadata. The fields of custom metadata types, and the values in the fields, consist only of metadata. The records of custom metadata types are also metadata, not data. Using metadata is pretty handy because it can be imported into Salesforce, modified in the interface, and manipulated using the Metadata API. Instead of storing hard-coded data, custom metadata types let you configure apps by building reusable functionality that determines the behavior based on metadata. And you can do much of this customization work using declarative tools.
When you deploy apps with custom metadata types, all of the records and fields are included in the package installation, so no additional steps are needed. You can deploy custom metadata types from a sandbox with change sets or packaged in managed packages.
Unlike custom metadata types, when you deploy apps with custom objects and custom settings, the metadata for those objects (the header) gets deployed, but the records (definitions) are left behind. Whether you’re manually loading records or inserting records using an Apex script, adding records can be a time-consuming process.
Use Cases for Custom Metadata Types
Here are some examples of what you can do with custom metadata types.
- Mappings—You can use custom metadata types to create associations between different objects. For example, you can create a custom metadata type that assigns cities, states, or provinces to particular regions in a country.
- Business rules—Salesforce has lots of ways to define business rules. One way is to combine configuration records with custom functionality. For example, you can use custom metadata types along with some Apex code to route payments to the correct endpoint.
- Primary data—Say that your org uses a standard accounting app. You can create a custom metadata type that defines custom charges, like duties and VAT rates. If you include this type as part of an extension package, subscriber orgs can reference this primary data.
- Protected information—Store data like API keys in a protected package.
More About Custom Metadata Types
Custom metadata types support most standard field types, including:
- Metadata Relationships
- Checkbox
- Date and Date/Time
- Email and Phone
- Number
- Percent
- Picklist
- Text and Text Area
- URL
Developer Support
Developers can use SOQL to read custom metadata types. To create or update metadata records, they can use the Metadata API. Apex code can create, read, and update (but not delete) custom metadata records.
Reference Custom Metadata Types
Custom metadata types can be used directly from:
- Apex
- Flows
- Formula fields
- Validation rules
Custom metadata types are customizable, deployable, packageable, and upgradeable application metadata. In many cases, custom metadata types have an advantage over custom settings and custom objects. They can make your application lifecycle management and compliance easier, faster, and more robust. In the next unit, you create your own custom metadata type.
Resources
- Salesforce Help: Custom Metadata Types
