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How to Send Salesforce Bell Notifications via a Flow

Becca Lough

Salesforce bell notifications are a powerful way to keep users informed and engaged directly within the platform. Triggering these notifications from Salesforce Flows can automate important alerts, keeping your business efficient and your users productive. This guide will show you how to set up bell notifications using a flow, specifically in a scenario where users attempt to update a closed Case.

Understanding the Scenario

Suppose you want to alert a Case owner every time someone tries to update a Case that has already been closed. Instead of relying on email or external messaging, using Salesforce’s built-in notification system ensures users receive timely updates within the Salesforce app.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Bell Notifications in a Flow

1. Create a Custom Notification Type

  • Navigate to Setup.
  • Type Notification into the Quick Find box and select Custom Notifications.
  • Click New and provide a Name, API Name, and select your notification channels (ensure “Bell” is selected).
  • Save your custom notification type. You’ll reference this in your flow.

2. Build Your Flow

  • Create a Record-Triggered Flow and choose the Update trigger.
  • Set the entry criteria to target Cases where the status is Closed. This ensures your flow only runs when someone updates a closed Case.

3. Query for the Notification Type

  • Add a Get Records element to retrieve the custom notification type you created. Use the API name as your filter.

4. Set Up Recipients

  • Create a variable to store recipient User IDs. For this scenario, assign the Case Owner’s ID to this variable.

5. Add the Custom Notification Action

  • In the Flow, search for the Send Custom Notification action and drag it into your canvas.
  • Fill out the following fields:Notification Type ID: The ID from your earlier Get Records element.
  • Title and Body: Use text templates to personalize these fields—such as including the Case number.
  • Target ID: Set this as the Case ID so users can click the notification and be taken directly to the relevant Case.
  • Recipient IDs: The variable containing the owner’s User ID.

6. Test Your Flow

  • Activate the Flow.
  • Test by editing a closed Case and saving changes. The bell icon in Salesforce should display a new notification, which, when clicked, routes the user directly to the updated Case.

Benefits

Using Salesforce in-app notifications ensures users stay informed without having to leave the platform or rely on external emails. This helps keep workflows streamlined and increases productivity for your teams.

At SOLVD.cloud, we help clients unlock the full power of Salesforce automation. If you’re looking to enhance your Salesforce org and drive better processes, this method is a great starting point.