Introduction
In this blog, we explore the hidden power of subflows in record-triggered automation.
Salesforce Flow has become the gold standard for no-code and low-code automation. But as record-triggered automation becomes more powerful, complexity naturally follows. That’s where subflows come in — a hidden gem that can simplify, modularize, and scale your automation efforts.
What Are Subflows in Salesforce?
Subflows are autolaunched flows that can be invoked inside other flows using the Subflow element.
Think of them as modular pieces of logic, similar to functions in programming. Instead of building one massive flow with every possible condition and outcome, you can break the logic into smaller, reusable subflows that focus on specific tasks.
Using subflows in record-triggered automation enables:
-Clean architecture
-Faster debugging
-Reusability across objects and departments
Why You Should Use Subflows in Record-Triggered Automation
This blog emphasizes why subflows in record-triggered automation are essential for efficient automation:
1. Modular Automation
a. Break complex logic into multiple subflows such as sending an email, creating a task, or updating related records.
2. Reusability Across Objects
b. Use the same subflow across different record-triggered flows for objects like Leads, Contacts, and Users.
3. Easier Testing and Debugging
c. Debug each subflow independently and improve logic isolation.
4. Visual Simplicity
d. Replace tangled logic with clean, easy-to-read flows using subflows in record-triggered automation.
How to Break Down Flows Using Subflows
Follow this guide to effectively implement subflows in record-triggered automation:
Step 1: Create the Subflow
1. Go to Setup → Flows → New Flow
2. Choose Autolaunched Flow (No Trigger)
3. Add variables like recordId, email, or status
Step 2: Build Logic Inside the Subflow
1. Add your reusable logic components
Step 3: Call It from the Record-Triggered Flow
1. Use the Subflow element to insert your subflow into the main flow
Example Use Case
Let’s explore how to use subflows in record-triggered automation with a real example:
Goal: Automate onboarding when a Contact is created with the 'Needs Onboarding' checkbox = TRUE.
Main Record-Triggered Flow:
1. Triggers when Contact is created or edited
Subflows Used:
1. SUB-CreateOnboardingTask
2. SUB-SendWelcomeEmail
3. SUB-UpdateStatusField
Using subflows in record-triggered automation makes this onboarding process modular, reusable, and easy to manage.
Testing Tips
This blog recommends the following testing strategies for subflows in record-triggered automation:
1. Use the Flow Debugger to test subflows with sample records
2. Leverage assignment elements to capture outputs for validation
3. Maintain consistent naming like SUB-UpdateField or SUB-CreateTask
4. Use entry conditions wisely to minimize unnecessary flow executions
Conclusion
This blog highlights how subflows in record-triggered automation are not just a technical tool—they're a strategic advantage.
They allow you to think modularly, build reusable logic, test independently, and scale faster.
By using subflows in record-triggered automation, you:
1. Reduce duplication
2. Improve testing and visibility
3. Enable cleaner, more maintainable automation
So next time you're faced with a complex record-triggered flow, remember the theme of this blog:
Think Subflows First.