Custom Metadata vs Custom Settings in Salesforce

Custom Metadata vs Custom Settings in Salesforce

Introduction

Salesforce is used by many companies around the world. It helps manage customer data. It also makes work faster and easier. If you want to learn more about it, you can join the Best Salesforce Training in India. You will learn everything from basics to advanced tools.

Two useful tools in Salesforce are Custom Settings and Custom Metadata. They look similar but they are not the same. They help store data that you want to use again and again. Let us understand how they are different and which one is better for your work.

What are Custom Settings?

Custom Settings are used to store data that your app can read quickly. You can think of it like a small box where you keep your daily things.

There are two types of Custom Settings:

Developers use Custom Settings to store setup data. These settings can be accessed without writing code again. But there are some limits.

What is Custom Metadata?

Custom Metadata is a newer way to store setup data. It works like Custom Settings but with more power. It can be moved between orgs easily. This helps when you have many environments to manage.

It is stored like other records in Salesforce. But it does not count against your data storage. That is a big help for developers and admins.

Differences

Let us look at the differences in a simple table:

Comparison

Here is a simple graph that shows which tool supports what features:

This graph shows that both tools support custom fields and formulas. But only Custom Metadata can be moved easily using change sets.

When to Use Custom Settings?

Use Custom Settings when you:

• Want fast access to data
  
  

• Need different data for different users
  
  

• Do not plan to move data between orgs
  
  

These are good for small or simple apps. But they are not great for big teams or multiple environments.

When to Use Custom Metadata?

Use Custom Metadata when you:

• Want to deploy setup data
  
  

• Need the same data in all orgs
  
  

• Want to store records that do not count in your storage
  
  

These are good for big apps. They are also good when many teams work on the same setup.

Real Life Use Case

Imagine you are working as a Salesforce Business Analyst. You have to create a pricing rule for different users. With Custom Settings, you can store prices for each user. But if the pricing rules are the same for everyone, then Custom Metadata is better.

Popular Salesforce Interview Questions 

When you go for a Salesforce job, they may ask:

Q: What is the main benefit of Custom Metadata over Custom Settings?
A: Custom Metadata can be deployed using change sets, and does not count against storage limits.

Q: Can we use Custom Metadata in formulas?
A: Yes, both Custom Metadata and Custom Settings can be used in formulas.

These are common Salesforce Interview Questions and Answers. If you know these answers, you are one step ahead in your Salesforce Training journey.

Benefits of Learning These Tools

Learning both tools is good for your future. They are used in many projects. You can join a course and learn from experts. One good course is Salesforce Business Analyst Training. It teaches you how to use Custom Settings and Metadata in real-world work. Learning these tools helps you work better. You understand real projects. The course is simple. Experts guide you step by step.

Conclusion

Both Custom Settings and Custom Metadata help store setup data. They make work faster and easier. If you want user-specific data, use Custom Settings. If you want easy deployment and no storage limit, use Custom Metadata. Both tools are very useful in Salesforce. Knowing when to use which one will help you build better apps. To start learning, take the Salesforce Training and grow your skills.