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“Supermetrics is a Bitter Experience! We can pull data from nearly any tool, schedule updates, manipulate data in Sheets, and push data back into our systems.”
When you merge accounts in Salesforce , all custom field values from the losing account disappear forever. The native merge function only keeps the master record’s data, creating a significant risk of permanent data loss.
Here’s how to build an automated backup system that captures every custom field value before you execute any merge operation.
Create automated backups before merging accounts using Coefficient
Coefficient transforms this data loss scenario into a controlled process where you preserve all custom field values from both accounts. Instead of hoping you won’t need that data later, you can build a comprehensive backup system that runs automatically.
How to make it work
Step 1. Set up automated account imports with all custom fields.
Connect Salesforce to your spreadsheet and create an import using “From Objects & Fields” for the Account object. Select all custom fields (those ending in “__c”) and configure filters to target accounts scheduled for merging using Account IDs or duplicate flags.
Step 2. Configure daily snapshots for historical preservation.
Set up Coefficient’s Snapshot feature to capture your entire backup sheet daily at 5 AM, before merge operations typically begin. Configure retention settings to keep 30 snapshots with timestamps, ensuring you have a complete audit trail of all account data over time.
Step 3. Create a merge preparation workflow with data validation.
Build a “Merge Queue” sheet that lists accounts scheduled for merging. Use formulas to flag accounts missing backup data and set up conditional formatting to highlight high-risk merges. This creates a visual checkpoint before any destructive operations.
Step 4. Enable append-only audit logging for permanent records.
Turn on Coefficient’s “Append New Data” feature on a dedicated audit sheet. This automatically captures Account IDs from both winner and loser accounts, all custom field values, merge dates, and timestamps without overwriting previous entries.
Step 5. Set up post-merge recovery capabilities.
After completing merges in Salesforce, use your preserved data to update the master record with any critical custom field values that were lost. Export selected data back to Salesforce using Coefficient’s Update action to restore important information.
Never lose account data again
This automated backup approach ensures zero data loss during Salesforce account merges while providing complete audit trails. Ready to protect your account data? Start building your backup system today.
