Top New Features in Summer’24 Release: Salesforce Platform in Lightning 

The wait is over! The latest Salesforce Platform update, Lightning Summer ’24, is here, and LevelShift is eager to dive into its exciting new features designed to optimize your Lightning Experience. Take control of your flows with the all-new Automation Lightning App, simplify user access with enhanced permission management tools, and finally conquer data silos with Static SOQL in Data Cloud. Here is a brief summary of the key features included in this exciting new release: 

1. Evaluate Dynamic Formulas in Apex 

Dynamic formulas in Apex now support Sobjects. Use the new Formula.builder() method to create an instance of the FormulaBuilder to configure the formula. Get a list of the field names referenced in a formula using the getReferencedFields() method. Formula evaluation in Apex is bound by the character limit, but not the compile size limit. Read more.

2. SOQL 

The updates to SOQL errors and functionality in this release could affect existing code that relies on old errors and functionality. Read more.

3. Use SOQL in Apex with Data Cloud Objects 

Static SOQL is now supported with Data Cloud data model objects (DMOs) as a more direct alternative to using either dynamic SOQL or ConnectAPI. Additionally, SOQL using Apex Database.QueryLocator or in FOR loops is supported in API version 61.0 and later. In versions earlier than 61.0, only the first 201 records are returned. Batch Apex is currently blocked against DMOs when using QueryLocators, but is supported when using Iterable. Read more.

4. Manage Your Flows More Efficiently with the Automation Lightning App 

View and monitor your flows in the Automation Lightning app, now available to all flow admins and users to whom you grant access. From the app, you can create flows or open any flow you can access in Flow Builder. New list views show your most recently modified flows and flow definitions, including errors. Search for flows using a keyword in the flow label. Filter or sort flows by type, progress status, last modified date, last modifying user, and associated record fields. Additionally, find a direct link to the Trailblazer Community and  relevant learning material on Trailhead. Read more.  

5. See What’s Enabled in Permission Sets and Permission Set Groups 

It can be tricky to track all the permissions included in your permission sets and permission set groups. To more easily manage your user’s access, you can now see all enabled object, user, field, and custom permissions on one page. You can also see the configuration of permission set groups. This generally available feature includes changes since the beta release. The summary page has an improved interface, and includes custom permissions and permission sets in permission set groups. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more.

 6. IdeaExchange Delivered: Receive a Summary of a User’s Permissions and Access 

You’re in luck if you’ve wondered what permissions, public groups, or queues a user is assigned. With the User Access Summary you can see this information directly from the user’s detail page, saving you time, clicks, and effort. There’s no need to run queries or look through each profile, permission set, public group, or queue when troubleshooting or managing access. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more. 

7. IdeaExchange Delivered: Collect User Input to Build a List of Records from a Screen 

Collect information about multiple items of the same type on a screen with the Repeater component. For example, use a Repeater component to gather details about beneficiaries of an insurance policy. Users can add as many beneficiaries as needed on the screen. You can then loop through the list of beneficiaries to create records. This generally available feature includes some changes since the last release. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more. 

8. Restrict User Input on Screen Components with the Disabled and Read Only Fields 

Use two new fields to specify how users interact with screen components. When the Disabled field is set to true, users cannot navigate to, copy, or modify any fields in the component. A gray background appears on the input fields in the component to provide users with a visual cue. When the Read Only field is set to true, users are not allowed to modify any fields in the component. However, they can navigate to and copy values. Read more.  

9. Create and Verify Your Default No-Reply Organization-Wide Email Address to Send Email 

To comply with increased email security standards, organizations are required to create and verify a Default No-reply address in the Organization-Wide Email Address settings. Read more.

10. Empower Users to Fill in Addresses More Quickly with the New Search Field in the Address Screen Component 

Include a search field powered by Google Maps in the Address screen component. When the user selects an address in the search field, the flow populates the address fields. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more. 

11. Transform Your Data in Flows 

Modify your data into the shape that fits your business process with the new Transform element in Flow Builder. Now generally available, the Transform element includes some changes since the last release. Mapping tips help you avoid errors before you save your flow. Previously, you received errors for the Transform element only when you saved the flow. Also, you can use your keyboard and screen reader to navigate the Transform element more easily. Previously, you couldn’t navigate source or target data or hear descriptions about mappings. Read more.

12. Check for Duplicates Before Creating Records in a Flow 

To prevent duplicate records, check for records matching a set of criteria in the Create Records element. Also, specify whether to skip or update matching records. If you skip matching records, the flow doesn’t create or modify any records. If you decide to update matching records, the flow modifies the records with the values that you provide. Some field-level configurations and validations in your organization override the settings in the Create Records element. Read more. 

13. Run and Use the Results of an Autolaunched Flow on the Same Screen with the New Action Button Component 

Add an Action Button component to a flow screen to run and retrieve information from an active autolaunched flow without leaving the screen. The component renders a button that invokes the flow when clicked. For example, create a screen with a Lookup component that enables a user to search for and select a Contact record. Add an Action Button component to the screen to launch a flow that retrieves the Account, Case, and Opportunity records associated with the Contact record and populates other fields on the same screen. The user doesn’t have to navigate away from the screen to run the flow. Read more.

14. Add New Custom Fields to Dynamic Forms-Enabled Pages 

Quickly and easily add a new custom field to your Dynamic Forms-enabled pages using a new step in the custom-field creation wizard. Read more. 

15. IdeaExchange Delivered: Use Blank Spaces to Align Fields on Dynamic Forms-Enabled Pages 

Customize field alignment in Dynamic Forms field sections with the new Blank Space component. Find it on the Fields tab when viewing Dynamic Forms-enabled Lightning record pages in the Lightning App Builder. You can use a blank space on its own to separate fields vertically inside a field section. To further enhance the alignment of your field section content, you can use a blank space in conjunction with the field section property. This aligns fields horizontally. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more.  

16. IdeaExchange Delivered: Set Conditional Visibility for Individual Tabs in Lightning App Builder 

Customize tab visibility in the Lightning App Builder according to your business needs. In the Tabs component, you can set conditions to dynamically show or hide an individual tab. This change applies to tabs on LWC-enabled record pages. We delivered this feature thanks to your ideas on IdeaExchange. Read more.

The Summer ’24 release for Salesforce Lightning is a game-changer, packing features like the Automation Lightning App and enhanced Dynamic Forms customization. These upgrades promise a smoother, more productive experience. LevelShift is your trusted Salesforce partner to help you harness this potential. We provide tailored solutions, best practice implementation, and expert guidance to optimize your Salesforce Lightning for maximum impact.  Contact our experts today.