How to Clone a Report in Salesforce (And How to Never Do it Again)

Need to clone a Salesforce report? We got you. 

Why Clone a Report in Salesforce?

If you’re cloning reports, you’re probably:

  • Customizing Reports – Building different views or drill-downs for stakeholders in sales, finance, or marketing. When multiple users across teams or departments need reports with slight variations, cloning reports ensure that the fundamental structure remains intact.
  • Visualization Limitations – Analyzing relationships between objects that Salesforce won’t let you join in a single view
  • Version Control and Experimentation – Experimenting with new metrics to test new formulas, grouping, or visualization changes without altering the original.

Cloning is a quick fix. But trust us, it won’t solve the real problem: 


Salesforce CRM is for sales, not reporting. Many Salesforce users agree on this point.

Source 

Want better custom report types? Salesforce’ll tell you to buy Tableau. You might even have it already. 

But even Tableau won’t give you what you actually need: the freedom to slice data instantly, create custom views on the fly, and answer stakeholder questions in minutes, not days. 

How are Salesforce Experts aka Trailblazers Cloning or Duplicating Reports?

They actually don’t. No more cloning. No more exports. They’re building any view they need, keeping it up-to-date without lifting a finger, and sharing it with any stakeholder (yes, they don’t need to have a Salesforce license). 

We’ll get to that magic soon (or you can jump right to it). But first, let’s clone your report. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Cloning a Report in Salesforce in 30 seconds

Step 1. Log in to Salesforce & Navigate to Reports

Access your Salesforce account with valid credentials. Locate the “Reports” tab in the top navigation bar from your Salesforce dashboard. 

Step 2. Select the Report to Clone and Copy it.

Once your reports have loaded, identify and open the report you want to clone from the list. Click the drop-down arrow icon beside the ‘Edit’ button within the report view. 

Clicking the drop-down arrow icon beside the ‘Edit’ button within the report view in Salesforce.

From the drop-down menu, select ‘Save As,’ and it will proceed to make a copy of the current report.

Step 3. Change Report Name and Choose Folder

Provide a new name for the cloned report. This helps distinguish between the original and cloned versions.

Selecting ‘Save As’ from the drop-down menu to proceed with cloning the report

Select the folder where you want to store the cloned report. This could be the same folder as the original, a different one to make edits. 

Step 4. Click Save

Click ‘Save’ to create the cloned report.

That’s all! You’ve successfully cloned a report in Salesforce. 

For a more detailed walk-through, check out our YouTube Tutorial on How To Clone a Report in Salesforce. If you want a more simple and flexible method the pros use, read further. 

How Trailblazers are Building Powerful and Flexible Salesforce Reports without Cloning? Use Coefficient

RevOps teams waste hours cloning reports for different stakeholders and views. Each clone means more maintenance, more errors, and less time for actual analysis. 

Using tools like Coefficient eliminates this by connecting your Salesforce data directly to your spreadsheets.

For example, companies like Miro with data-driven revops teams solved for efficient and flexible salesforce reporting by simply using Salesforce, Spreadsheets with Coefficient. You can read more about it here.

Now, let’s get into why trailblazers prefer salesforce reporting from Coefficient + Spreadsheets.

1. Build master Salesforce dataset to use everywhere

Your team needs different views of the same data – whether it’s pipeline by rep, region, or account, or tailored analysis for marketing and finance. 

In Salesforce, each view means another clone. With Coefficient, you can:

  • Create one master dataset that pulls every record, field, and object you need
  • Automate refresh schedules that keep your data fresh without manual exports
  • Update Salesforce records directly from your spreadsheet to maintain data integrity 

2. Create Custom Salesforce Report views in minutes

“Can you add this field?” “Could we filter by that?” Sound familiar? 

Instead of cloning reports for every request, use your spreadsheet skills to:

  • Create any view you need with pivot tables and familiar formulas – no Salesforce admin required
  • Slice and filter data instantly by rep, region, product, or any other dimension
  • Build complex calculations and custom metrics without touching Salesforce settings

All from the same dataset, all staying fresh automatically. Same source data, different views. Simple.

3. Flexibility – Share reports with teams without Salesforce license

Not everyone has (or needs) a Salesforce license. But they do need data. Right now, that means either expensive licenses or endless CSV exports – and both options mean more work for you.

With Coefficient, you can:

  • Share live dashboards that update automatically when Salesforce changes
  • Let leaders explore data on their terms – without coming to you for every drill-down
  • Keep stakeholders updated with automated Slack alerts for pipeline changes, forecast updates, and key metrics

Better Visualization and ability to track changes over time

Salesforce only shows you data as it exists right now. Want to compare this quarter’s pipeline to last? You’ll need to create (and maintain) separate reports for each time period.

Coefficient’s snapshot feature automatically captures historical data, letting you:

  • Compare pipeline metrics across any time period without creating new reports
  • Track how deals progress through stages to identify bottlenecks and optimize your sales process
  • Show leadership exactly how forecasts, quotas, and territories perform over time

(Bonus) And for those new Salesforce report requests? Don’t create reports from scratch

You know what’s worse than cloning reports? Building new ones from scratch 

That’s why we’ve built a library of free Salesforce reports and dashboards for your most common reporting needs. Each template is ready in minutes – just connect Salesforce and watch your data populate automatically.

Salesforce Sales Performance Dashboard 

Give your sales leaders the complete picture – pipeline by rep, territory performance, and conversion metrics in one view. 

Get instant access to your sales dashboard →

Salesforce Pipeline Analytics Dashboard 

Answer “what’s changed in our pipeline?” in seconds. Filter by any dimension, spot bottlenecks, and identify at-risk deals fast. 

Start tracking your pipeline now →

Salesforce Win-Loss Analysis Dashboard 

Stop guessing why deals are won or lost. Track win rates across products, segments, and sales stages to optimize your process. 

Unlock your win-loss insights →

Stop playing ‘Clone Wars’ with Salesforce 

Cloning reports work in a pinch. But you deserve better.

Try Coefficient free and see why thousands of teams trust us to streamline their reporting workflow and make us a top-rated app on appexchange. Your stakeholders (and your sanity) will thank you.

Prerequisites of Cloning Reports in Salesforce 

If you’re still focused on cloning reports on Salesforce, these prerequisites ensure a smooth and successful cloning process, allowing users to duplicate reports effectively.

Here are the key things you must know before getting started:

Basics of Salesforce Reports for Beginners

Salesforce reports are powerful tools that enable users to analyze and visualize data within the Salesforce platform. They allow you to organize and present data meaningfully, helping in better decision-making. These reports are based on objects like Leads, Contacts, Opportunities, and more.

Types of Salesforce Reports:

  • Tabular Reports: Present data in rows and columns.
  • Summary Reports: Group data for a summarized view.
  • Matrix Reports: Display data in a matrix format.
  • Joined Reports: Combine blocks of data from different report types.

Folders in Salesforce 

Reports in Salesforce are organized and saved into folders (not individually). Before cloning, familiarize yourself with the folder structure and decide where the cloned report will be stored. Ensure that users have appropriate access rights to the chosen folder.

User Permissions

Before attempting to clone a report in Salesforce, verify that you or the users attempting to perform the cloning process have the necessary permissions.

Read Access to the Report:

You need the “Read” access permission for the report they intend to clone. This lets you view and extract the necessary information from the original report. If you’re the owner of the report, you’ll have this access by default.

Create Access to the Destination Folder:

You should have the “Create” access permission for the folder where they intend to store the cloned report. Without this permission, you or any other users on your team won’t be able to save the cloned report.

Salesforce Cloned Report Customization – Best Practises

Edit Report Columns

Customize the columns displayed in the report to focus on the relevant data points. Add or remove columns based on the reporting needs.

Adjust Groupings and Summaries

If the original report had specific groupings or summaries, modify them to suit the requirements of the cloned report. This ensures that the structure aligns with the intended analysis.

Apply New Report Formats

Experiment with different report formats to present data in a way that enhances understanding. Choose the format that best conveys the information, whether it’s a tabular report, summary report, or matrix report.

Update Report Charts and Graphs

If the original report included charts or graphs, update them based on the modified data in the cloned report. This step enhances the visual representation of data.

For an even more streamlined experience, consider how Coefficient can further enhance this customization process by allowing you to merge Salesforce data with other data sources directly in your spreadsheet. 

Permission Issues

If users encounter permission-related issues, ensure they have access rights to read the original report and create a report in the designated folder.

Filter Mismatch

If the cloned report is not capturing the expected data, review and adjust the filters to ensure they align with the desired dataset.

Frequently asked questions

Can you clone a report in Salesforce?

Yes! Salesforce makes it simple to clone reports. Just find the report you want to copy, look for the Clone button in the top-right corner, give your new report a name, and you’re done.

But here’s the better way: Coefficient lets you import your Salesforce data once and create unlimited views without cluttering your report folder. Every view stays fresh automatically, and you can add calculations or combine data from other sources – all without touching Salesforce.

How to make a duplicate report in Salesforce?

  1. Open the report you want to copy in Salesforce
  2. Click the Clone button in the top right corner
  3. Type a new name for your report
  4. Select the folder where you want to save it
  5. Click Save

But here’s another approach: With Coefficient, select your Salesforce report in the sidebar, import it to your spreadsheet, and save different versions as new sheets.

Each version updates in real-time when your Salesforce data changes, and you can add extra calculations or combine it with other data sources.

What is a clone report?

 A clone report is an exact copy of an existing report, including all its fields, filters, groupings, and formatting settings. 

While cloning works for one-off needs, teams that frequently need different views of their data use Coefficient to eliminate manual exports and keep their data fresh automatically.

How to Pull a Report in Salesforce

Whether you’re tracking sales trends, monitoring customer interactions, or evaluating team performance, the ability to pull detailed reports from Salesforce is indispensable. 

This guide offers a straightforward path to mastering report generation in Salesforce, empowering you to unlock actionable insights and make informed decisions that drive business success. 

Understanding Salesforce Reports

Salesforce reports are essential tools for analyzing and interpreting customer data. They offer diverse chart types, including line graphs, pie charts, and bar charts, providing an in-depth look at trends and KPIs. 

The ability to customize these reports allows businesses to focus on metrics critical to their specific goals. A standout feature is the real-time data provision, giving decision-makers up-to-the-minute insights for a competitive edge.

Step-by-Step Guide: Pulling a Report in Salesforce

Start by accessing the Reports section in Salesforce to view available reports.

Accessing the Reports Section in Salesforce to View Report Options

Select the ‘Opportunities by Stage’ report to proceed.

Choosing the 'Exports' Option in Salesforce Report Settings

Choose the ‘Exports’ option 

Select ‘Formatted Report’. Then, choose Excel (.xlsx) format for export.

Selecting 'Formatted Report' and Excel Format for Export in Salesforce

Once exported, the report will be available in your downloads folder as an Excel file, ready for analysis.

Downloaded Salesforce Report in Excel Format Ready for Analysis

Tips for Effective Salesforce Reporting

  • Start with a Strategic Plan: Align your reporting with your organizational goals to ensure relevancy and focus.
  • Understand Report Types: Get to know the various report formats available in Salesforce, such as Tabular, Summary, Matrix, and Joined reports, and choose the one that best suits your needs.
  • Optimize Report Filters: Use filters effectively to hone in on specific criteria, ensuring your reports provide targeted, useful insights.
  • Customize Report Formats: Tailor the visual presentation of your reports (graphs, charts, dashboards) to match your audience’s preferences and enhance understanding.
  • Utilize Dashboard Components: Make use of dashboard tools in Salesforce to combine multiple reports into a robust, comprehensive view.
  • Display Relevant Data: Avoid clutter and confusion by focusing on data that is pertinent to your business needs, steering clear of unnecessary information overload.

Use Cases: Types of Salesforce Reporting

  • Tabular Report: Ideal for evaluating individual performances within a sales team.
  • Summary Report: Provides an overview of quarterly revenue across different product categories.
  • Matrix Report: Useful for analyzing sales performance by product region and category.
  • Joined Report: Combines data from various Salesforce objects, perfect for assessing marketing campaign effectiveness.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Salesforce reporting helps businesses generate vital insights to make informed decisions. However, there are some common issues that users may experience. 

Here are some solutions to problems to unlock a smooth experience. 

  • Data Quality Issues. Data completeness and accuracy issues can be solved by conducting frequent data audits and incorporating validation protocols to establish data integrity.
  • Complex Report Structures. Using folders, subfolders, and cross filters helps to reasonably organize reports to prevent complex report structures. 
  • Performance Optimization. Report performance can be enhanced by utilizing indexed fields reducing the use of formula fields, filters, and aggregations. 
  • Security Challenges. Use field-level security to prevent access to sensitive data. Constantly review and update security settings. 

Conclusion

Before you consider pulling a Salesforce report, it is crucial to have a plan and ensure it aligns with your business’s overall objectives. Also, get familiar with the report types, report filters, dashboard components, and troubleshooting tips to solve common issues. 

Ready to optimize your Salesforce reporting? Get started with Coefficient today.

How to Share a Report in Salesforce

Sharing reports in Salesforce is crucial for driving team collaboration and informed decision-making. 

It goes beyond mere data handling; it provides accessible insights to enhance team performance and success. 

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to share reports in Salesforce, ensuring your team can effectively utilize and benefit from shared data insights. You’ll also learn how you can share Salesforce reports successfully with anyone internal or external, with or without a Salesforce license.

Understanding Salesforce Reports

Salesforce reports are pivotal in analyzing business performance. They offer structured data visualization, which is crucial for identifying trends. 

Salesforce allows various report types like tabular, summary, and matrix, which are essential for collaborative decision-making.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing a Report in Salesforce

Knowing how to share a report in Salesforce is a game-changer for effective collaboration and informed decision-making. Whether you’re diving into the Classic interface or exploring the Lightning Experience, this step-by-step guide will illuminate the process.

  1. Log in to Salesforce: Head to the reports tab on the top right of the dashboard.
  2. Navigate to the Desired Folder: Identify the folder containing the report you want to share.
Navigating to the Reports tab in Salesforce.
  1. Access Sharing Options: Click on the dropdown arrow next to the “New Folder” button on the top right and select “Share.”
Accessing Sharing Options
  1. Select the Target Folder: Locate and click on the folder you want to share. 
  2. Specify Recipients: Enter the names of individuals you wish to share the folder with.
Enter the names of individuals you wish to share the folder with.
  1. Define Access Levels: Choose between view, edit, or manage access levels according to the recipient’s role. 
Choose between view, edit, or manage access levels according to the recipient's role. 
  1. Share and Completion: Confirm your choices by clicking the “Share” button. Once shared, click “Done” to finalize the process.
Confirming sharing settings for a report in Salesforce.

For a detailed video walk-through, check out our YouTube Tutorial.

Scenario Specifics

  • Public Reports: To make a report public in Salesforce, ensure the report is saved in a public folder, and then follow the sharing steps.
  • Private Reports: For private reports, select the appropriate folder and customize access levels based on team roles.
  • Lightning Experience: Navigating through Salesforce report sharing in Lightning follows the same intuitive process, providing a seamless experience.

Share Salesforce Reports With Non-Licensed Team Members

If you’re struggling to share reports with your team or clients, you’ve probably tried CSVs, manual screenshots, or even manual data entry.

Coefficient offers a 2-way sync between Salesforce and your spreadsheet. You’ll have the ability to sync live Salesforce data or reports with your spreadsheet and share with anyone who needs access – whether they have a Salesforce license or not.

In the one-minute tutorial below, learn how to share Salesforce reports with your native Google Sheets or Excel share and permissions settings. Now others can view, edit, and collaborate seamlessly. Of course, keep the data security measures we mentioned above in mind.

Best Practices for Sharing Reports

When it comes to how to share a report in Salesforce, implementing best practices is crucial for seamless collaboration while maintaining data security.

  • Precision in Permissions: Tailor access levels diligently. Assign view, edit, or manage permissions based on user roles to prevent unauthorized alterations.
  • Regular Audits: Conduct routine checks on shared reports and folders. Remove access for users who no longer require it, ensuring data integrity.
  • Consider Public vs. Private: Understand the nuances of how to make a report public in Salesforce. Reserve public visibility for non-sensitive data and keep confidential reports in private folders.
  • Educate Users: Clearly communicate sharing protocols to users. Avoid common mistakes by ensuring everyone comprehends the implications of their access.
  • Mindful Dashboard Sharing: Similar to reports, when sharing a dashboard in Salesforce, be cautious of the data it contains. Apply access controls to maintain confidentiality.

Sharing Dashboards in Salesforce

While understanding how to share a report in Salesforce is crucial, how to share a dashboard in Salesforce follows a slightly different paradigm. Dashboards in Salesforce are a visual representation of multiple reports consolidated into a single view. 

Unlike reports, when sharing a dashboard in Salesforce, you share the entire dashboard as a comprehensive entity. The focus shifts from individual data snippets to a holistic overview, making collaborative decision-making more streamlined. 

Ensure that access controls align with the sensitivity of the combined data on the dashboard, providing a well-rounded approach to collaborative data sharing in the Salesforce environment.

How to Create a Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard in 2025

Far beyond the static confines of traditional dashboards, a Salesforce dynamic dashboard allows you or your team to take the role and view your data as you demand.

This step-by-step guide will unravel how to craft a Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard. 

Whether you’re a Salesforce novice or an experienced user, this guide will walk you through the entire process with the same clarity.

As a bonus, As a bonus, we’ll introduce how Coefficient’s 2-way sync between Salesforce and your spreadsheet can revolutionize your dashboard experience, allowing you to extend visibility and interaction beyond Salesforce, without the extra cost on licenses.

So, let’s start! 

What is a Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard? 

Salesforce dynamic dashboard creation allows users to take on a role of their choice when looking at their insights and data. It empowers users to make data-driven decisions by offering flexibility, interactivity, and the ability to showcase key performance indicators dynamically.

There are many features of a Salesforce dashboard that make it a great part of the platform:

  • Real-Time Data Updates – Dynamic Dashboards pull real-time data from Salesforce, ensuring that the visualizations and metrics are always current.
  • Interactivity – Users can directly interact with the data on the dashboard, such as clicking on charts or applying filters, to tailor the view based on their needs.
  • Customization – Dynamic Dashboards are highly customizable, allowing users to choose from various components and settings to create a personalized and visually appealing dashboard.
  • Collaboration – Dashboards can be shared with team members or stakeholders, promoting collaborative decision-making by providing a unified view of essential metrics.

However, the biggest issue with collaborating on your dashboard is that it’s static, and the person seeing it can only have one role to look at the insights at a time.

But you can change it, so let’s take the first step!

Preparing for Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard Creation

Before diving into the creation process, laying the groundwork for a successful dynamic dashboard is essential. It is also important to note that you don’t actually ‘create’ a dynamic dashboard. Instead, you transform your default dashboard into a dynamic one.

Here are key steps to consider:

  1. User Permissions

Ensure you and your team have the necessary user permissions in Salesforce to view and modify dashboards. Verify that your Salesforce profile includes the required dashboard-related permissions to avoid access issues during creation.

  1. Data Sources

Identify and review the data sources that will feed into your dynamic dashboard. Confirm that the relevant Salesforce reports and datasets are available and up-to-date. Assess the data quality to avoid discrepancies in your visualizations.

  1. Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard Feature

Familiarize yourself with the Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard feature. Understand its capabilities, components, and customization options. This foundational knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions during the dashboard creation.

  1. Clear Objectives and Metrics

Define the objectives of your dynamic dashboard clearly. Identify the key metrics and data points that align with your organizational goals. This clarity will guide your team and yourself to understand when to switch roles and the difference in insights.

  1. Third-party Integrations

Consider integrating third-party apps like Coefficient meant to make your data management in Salesforce dynamic. Coefficient offers a two-way connection between Salesforce and your spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel). This connection allows you to bypass any report limitations in Salesforce, share reports with unlicensed users via your native spreadsheet share settings, push data alerts to Slack and email, and more.

5 Steps on How to Create a Dynamic Dashboard in Salesforce 

Follow these step-by-step instructions for a seamless dashboard creation experience:

Step 1: Navigate to the Dashboards

Log in to your Salesforce account with valid credentials.

In the top navigation bar, locate the “Dashboards” tab and click to access the Dashboards section.

Once it loads, select the dashboard you wish to transform from the list of present dashboards. 

Accessing the Dashboards section via the top navigation bar in Salesforce.

Step 2: Edit and Navigate to Dashboard Settings 

When your selected dashboard loads, navigate to the top right corner and select “Edit.”

Choosing a specific dashboard from the list in the Salesforce Dashboards section.

On the editing page, navigate and click on the Gear Icon to open dashboard settings.

Selecting the 'Edit' option on a loaded Salesforce dashboard.

Step 3: Change ‘View Dashboard As’ Settings

Once you select the Gear Icon, a pop-up window will appear for ‘Properties.’

Scroll down to the “View Dashboard As” section. 

Here, you can see the default option selected is ‘Me.’ 

This means you or any other team member can only view the dashboard as themselves based on the roles assigned to their accounts. This can become inconvenient for a team constantly collaborating and needing to view data insights from a different role, e.g., the owner, the editor, the accounts analyst, etc.

To make your dashboard dynamic, Choose “The Dashboard Viewer” and opt for the checkbox “Let the dashboard viewers choose whom they view the dashboard as.”

Navigating to the Gear Icon to access dashboard settings in Salesforce

This option will allow everyone on your team, including you, to choose the role you want when viewing this dashboard’s data insights. Salesforce will let you change these roles indefinitely and switch between them for different dashboard views.

Click on ‘Save’ to close and save changes to Properties.

Choosing 'The Dashboard Viewer' and enabling dynamic view options in Salesforce dashboard settings

Step 4: Save All Changes

After exiting the pop-up window, Click ‘Save’ again on the top right corner of the main dashboard editing bar.

Saving changes in the dashboard properties by clicking 'Save' in Salesforce.

Following that, Click on ‘Done’ to save all changes made and exit the session.

Clicking 'Save' to apply changes made in the Salesforce dashboard editing session.

Step 5: Preview and Test Your Dynamic Dashboard 

Once you’re done, Salesforce will revert to the home panel of Dashboards. The changes you made will be shown later. Make sure you Reload before reviewing changes.

After the page reloads, you can see the option ‘Change’ below the dashboard name ribbon

Clicking 'Done' to exit the dashboard editing mode in Salesforce

Now, anytime you or one of your team users log in, they can change how they view the dashboard. Simply click ‘Change’ and select the user from the drop-down menu in the pop-up window, and Salesforce will adjust the dashboard accordingly.

Viewing the 'Change' option on the Salesforce dashboard to adjust user views post-reload

That’s all! Your Salesforce Dashboard has been turned into a dynamic one that will streamline and improve collaboration and data analysis, reporting, and editing.

Integrate Coefficient and Salesforce to Enhance Dynamic Data Management

Elevate your Salesforce dynamic dashboards by seamlessly integrating Salesforce with your spreadsheet using Coefficient, the indispensable companion that transforms data management into a streamlined and collaborative experience.

Let’s delve into the features that make Coefficient’s Salesforce integration with Google Sheets and Excel a game-changer:

  • Always-Live Salesforce Data: With Coefficient, stay in the loop in real-time as your Salesforce data evolves. Sync the Salesforce data or reports you need into Google Sheets or Excel and keep your data import on a refresh schedule.
  • Share Reports Seamlessly: No need to add expensive Salesforce licenses when your team is only viewing reports. Instead, sync your Salesforce reports into your spreadsheet and share your reports with your native spreadsheet share settings.
  • Push Back Data When You Need: Coefficient’s Salesforce spreadsheet connector offers a 2-way sync. Export your data to Salesforce in just a few clicks without ever leaving your spreadsheet.
  • Slack & Email Monitoring: With Coefficient, stay in the loop in real-time as your Salesforce data evolves. Trigger Slack and email alerts when cells change values or meet predefined conditions. This means instant notifications for chosen recipients, ensuring that crucial data changes are promptly communicated to the right stakeholders.
  • Team Notifications: Promote seamless collaboration within your team by automatically delivering notifications via Slack and email. Coefficient allows you to set up real-time, daily, or weekly digests of changes, enabling your team to monitor critical reports and KPIs effortlessly. This shared awareness ensures everyone is on the same page, facilitating informed decision-making.
  • Instant Row Alerts: Act fast on new opportunities or critical changes in your Salesforce data. Coefficient allows you to set up automatic Slack and email alerts that notify your team when a new row is added to a spreadsheet. This instant notification ensures that your team is informed and ready to take action on the latest data entries.

By integrating Coefficient with Salesforce, you will streamline data management and foster a collaborative environment where real-time insights and actionable alerts empower your team to make informed decisions.

4 Tips for Optimizing Dashboard Performance in Salesforce  

Generally, dynamic dashboards are more than just viewing roles and insight directions. There are also some other ways you can optimize and improve your dashboards for better productivity, organizing, and collaboration:

  1. Identify Your Key Metrics

Before diving into the dashboard creation process, pinpoint the key metrics that matter most to your organization. Whether it’s sales revenue, lead conversion rates, customer satisfaction scores, or other vital indicators, these metrics form the foundation of your dashboard. 

Building around these essential elements ensures your dashboard is tailored to deliver meaningful insights.

  1. Choose the Right Dashboard Components

Salesforce provides many dashboard components—charts, tables, gauges, and more. Carefully select components that best represent your data and make it easily digestible for your team. The right components enhance data visibility and comprehension.

  1. Use Filters to Focus on Specific Data

Harness the power of filters to hone in on specific data within your dashboard. Whether filtering sales data by region or product line, customization ensures your dashboard remains targeted and relevant to distinct teams or individuals within your organization.

  1. Customize Your Dashboard for Different User Groups

Recognize that not all users within your organization require access to the same data. Tailor your dashboard to cater to the unique needs of various user groups. By providing customized views, you empower each team to access the data most pertinent to their responsibilities.

Advanced Features and Tips 

As you create a dynamic dashboard in Salesforce, consider elevating your dashboard creation with these advanced features and best practices. 

  • Dynamic Dashboards in Lightning Experience

Explore the enhanced capabilities of dynamic dashboards in Salesforce Lightning Experience. Lightning Experience introduces interactive features, such as drill-downs and dynamic filters, providing users with a more immersive and intuitive dashboard experience.

  • Cross-Filtering Across Components

Enhance the interactivity of your dynamic dashboard by implementing cross-filtering across components. This feature lets users click on a data point in one chart or table, automatically filtering related components to display pertinent information.

  • Scheduled Refresh for Data Accuracy

Maintain the accuracy of your dynamic dashboard by configuring scheduled data refreshes. Salesforce allows you to set intervals for automatic updates, ensuring that your dashboard reflects the latest data from your Salesforce reports.

By incorporating these advanced features and best practices, you not only enhance the sophistication of your Salesforce Dynamic Dashboard but also create a robust and user-friendly environment for insightful data exploration.

How Can Other Users See My Dashboard in Salesforce

Salesforce dashboards are more than individual tools; they’re a gateway to team collaboration and data-driven decisions.

This guide will walk Salesforce admins and report builders like you through sharing your Salesforce dashboards, ensuring every team member stays informed and aligned.

However, often there are stakeholders that need visibility that may not have a Salesforce license. We’ll introduce Coefficient as an option to share Salesforce reports with your native Google Sheets or Excel share and permissions settings for anyone you require to view, edit, and collaborate seamlessly.

Teams like Miro have used Coefficient for years to give visibility and analytical capabilities to cross-functional stakeholders who don’t have Salesforce, Snowflake, or Looker licenses.

Understanding Salesforce Dashboard Sharing

Dashboard sharing in Salesforce is vital for teamwork, offering benefits like unified data views, quick decision-making, and streamlined communication.

But how do you share a dashboard effectively? Let’s dive in.

Pre-Requisites for Sharing Dashboards

You require some Salesforce permissions and roles to activate the user-sharing dashboard. Here are the essential prerequisites for sharing dashboards on Salesforce:

  • User Permissions and Roles

Ensure your Salesforce setup has the necessary user permissions and roles for sharing. Key permissions include “View Dashboards in Public Folders” and “Create and Customize Dashboards.”

  1. Roles and Hierarchies

In Salesforce, there’s a system that uses roles to control who can see what. Every user has a role. When you share a dashboard, think about the roles of the users you’re sharing it with.

You can set up the dashboard so that different roles see different parts of the information. This way, the right people see what they need based on where they are in the organization.

  1. Dashboard Visibility Settings

Salesforce dashboards have settings to decide who can see them. There are three main settings to know.

  1. Private dashboards are only for the person who made them. If you want to share, the creator has to allow access to others.
  2. Public read-only lets others view but not change the dashboard. It’s good when you want to show information without letting anyone make changes.
  3. Public read/write lets others both view and make changes. This is handy for teamwork when many people need to add or change things on the dashboard.

To bypass these prerequisites within Salesforce, you can simply pull your previously built Salesforce reports into Google Sheets or Excel in just a few clicks with Coefficient and set it on a refresh schedule. Because the report will now be updated live within your spreadsheet, you can lean on your native spreadsheet share settings to share your report amongst your team.

Here’s a quick video walkthrough.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing a Salesforce Dashboard

Sharing your Salesforce dashboard is crucial for effective collaboration and ensuring that key insights are accessible to the right stakeholders. Follow this detailed walkthrough to seamlessly share your dashboard with the necessary users within Salesforce.

Step 1: Open Your Salesforce Dashboard

  • Navigate to the Salesforce homepage and log in to your account.
  • Once logged in, locate and open the dashboard you want to share.
  • Click on the dashboard name to enter the dashboard view.
Opening the Salesforce dashboard for configuration

Step 2: Click on the “Share” Button

  • In the upper-right corner of the dashboard, you’ll find the “Share” button.
  • Click on it to access the sharing settings for the dashboard.
Clicking the 'Share' button in Salesforce dashboard

Step 3: Choose Sharing Settings

A new window will appear, allowing you to define the sharing settings.

  • Select “Share Dashboard” and choose the type of access you want to grant: Public Link, Specific Users, or Groups.
  • Adjust the settings according to your collaboration needs.
Choosing sharing settings in Salesforce dashboard

Step 4: Add Specific Users or Groups

  • If you selected “Specific Users” or “Groups,” you can now add the Salesforce users or groups you want to share the dashboard with.
  • Start typing their names, and Salesforce will provide suggestions.
  • Click on the correct suggestion to add them.

Don’t see your stakeholder on the list? Coefficient facilitates seamless sharing with external stakeholders who don’t have Salesforce licenses.

Adding specific users or groups for Salesforce dashboard sharing

Step 5: Define Access Levels

  • For each user or group added, define their access level—Read-Only or Read/Write. 
  • This controls whether they can only view the dashboard or also make changes.
  • Click “Add More” if you need to include additional users or groups.
Defining user and group access levels in Salesforce dashboard

Step 6: Save Changes

  • Once you’ve added all the users or groups and defined their access levels, click “Done” to apply the sharing settings.
  • Your dashboard is now shared with the selected users or groups based on the specified access levels.
Saving the configured sharing settings in Salesforce dashboard

Troubleshooting Common Issues when Sharing Dashboards

Here are the common problems you might encounter while sharing your dashboard on Salesforce and the best solution to troubleshoot them:

Access Denied Issues

  • Issue: Users might encounter “Access Denied” messages when trying to view a shared dashboard.
  • Solution: Confirm that the dashboard’s sharing settings are configured correctly. Check the user’s profile and ensure they have the necessary permissions to access and view dashboards. Alternatively, sync your Salesforce reports into your spreadsheet for free with Coefficient. You can now share with anyone, even those without Salesforce licenses.

Missing User or Group in Sharing Settings

  • Issue: Shared users or groups might not be able to view the dashboard.
  • Solution: Revisit the dashboard’s sharing settings and verify that all intended users or groups are added. Ensure correct spelling and user/group selection. Save changes if modifications are needed.

Incorrect Access Levels

  • Issue: Users may have unintended access levels (Read-Only vs. Read/Write).
  • Solution: Double-check the access levels assigned to each user or group in the sharing settings. Adjust as needed, and remind users to refresh their browsers to apply the changes.
  • Issue: Users may experience difficulties accessing the dashboard through a public link.
  • Solution: Confirm that the public link is generated and accessible. If issues persist, regenerate the link and share it again. Ensure that the sharing settings allow for public link access.

Changes Not Reflecting

  • Issue: Shared users may not see the latest changes made to the dashboard.
  • Solution: Instruct users to refresh their browsers to ensure they are viewing the most recent version of the shared dashboard. Additionally, verify that the dashboard’s running user has the necessary data access for shared users to see updates.

Sharing with Large User Groups

  • Issue: Sharing with a large user group might be inefficient or lead to performance issues.
  • Solution: Consider sharing with smaller user groups or using public links for broader access. Evaluate the impact on performance and adjust sharing methods accordingly.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Over the years of experience on the Salesforce platform, here are some of the advanced tips and tricks we’ve learnt to make operation easier and faster:

Dynamic Dashboard Filters

  • Tip: Leverage dynamic dashboard filters to allow shared users to interactively filter data based on their preferences.
  • How-to: In the dashboard editor, add a filter component and choose dynamic options. Shared users can then adjust filters without altering the dashboard’s underlying structure. Alternatively, you can simplify this filtering process in your spreadsheet with Filter Views that are much more easily setup and manipulated. Here’s a quick video of the process.

Nested Folders for Hierarchical Access

  • Tip: Organize dashboards into nested folders to create a hierarchical structure for sharing.
  • How-to: Create folders within folders to represent different departments, teams, or projects. Share at the folder level to grant access to all contained dashboards at once.

Utilize Permission Sets for Granular Control

  • Tip: Use Salesforce permission sets to provide granular control over dashboard access.
  • How-to: Assign permission sets to users based on their roles or responsibilities. This allows for more nuanced control beyond profile-based access.

Conclusion

Sharing Salesforce dashboards effectively enhances team collaboration and data-driven decision-making.

As you implement these steps and tips, consider simplifying your Salesforce report sharing experience with Coefficient.

Ready to transform your Salesforce capabilities? Get started with Coefficient today and unlock a new realm of efficiency and insight for your organization.

How Can Reminders in Salesforce Be Shown on a Dashboard

Don’t let important tasks slip through the cracks again. Setting up reminders on your Salesforce dashboard is easier than you think and can significantly boost your productivity.

This guide walks you through the process, from report creation to dashboard customization, ensuring you never miss key tasks again. Let’s dive right in.

Step-by-step guide: How to Show Reminders in a Salesforce Dashboard

Step 1: Navigate to the Reports Tab
Begin by logging into Salesforce and heading over to the Reports tab. It’s crucial to create a report for any data you wish to feature on your dashboard.

 salesforce-reports-tab-navigation

Step 2: Create a New Report
Select “New Report” and choose “Tasks and Events” as your report type, a standard category within Salesforce. Hit the “Start Report” button to proceed.

Creating-new-report-salesforce

Step 3: Filter Your Tasks
Under “Filters”, decide which tasks you’d like to display on the dashboard. Opt for all tasks to get a broad overview or narrow it down based on your preference.

Setting-report-filters-salesforce

You’re aiming to be reminded of tasks due in the near future, so filtering by due date is essential. Set it to show tasks due in the next seven days.

Customizing-report-fields-salesforce

Step 4: Customize Report Fields

Decide which fields or columns are necessary for your reminders. Remove any columns you find unnecessary, keeping only the ones that provide value. Ensure the due date column is visible, as it will indicate when each task is due.

Saving-running-report-salesforce

Step 5: Save and Run the Report

Name your report, something identifiable like “New Tasks and Events Report”, and save it. Now, you’re ready to incorporate this report into the dashboard.

Creating-task-reminder-dashboard-salesforce

Step 6: Create a New Dashboard

Navigate to the Dashboards section and opt to create a new one. Name it appropriately, for instance, “Task Reminder Dashboard”, to easily distinguish its function.

Adding-report-to-dashboard-salesforce

Step 7: Add Your Report as a Reminder Component

Select the Widget, Chart, or Table options to add your newly created report to the dashboard. Choose the report from the list, ensuring it’s set to display tasks by due date in ascending order, to spotlight the most imminent tasks.

Finalizing-task-dashboard-customization-salesforce

Step 8: Customize and Save Your Dashboard


Edit your component title to “Task Reminder”, select a theme, and make any other necessary customizations. Finally, click “Add”, adjust the size as desired, and hit “Save”. You’ve now established a dashboard that will remind you of upcoming tasks.

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Best Practices for Managing Reminders in Salesforce

To maximize the efficiency of your Task Reminder Dashboard, consider these best practices:

  • Regular Update and Review: Make it a habit to review your dashboard daily. Regular interaction ensures you’re always ahead of your tasks and deadlines.
  • Customize According to Your Workflow:Tailor the fields and filters in your reports based on your specific needs. Not every team or individual will prioritize the same data, so adjust as necessary.
  • Optimize for Visibility:Place your Task Reminder Dashboard prominently within your Salesforce setup. You’re more likely to act on your tasks if they’re constantly in view.
  • Utilize Salesforce Notifications: Besides dashboard reminders, leverage Salesforce’s notification system to get alerts on upcoming due dates directly via email or through the Salesforce mobile app.
  • Train Your Team: If you’re managing a team, ensure every member is familiar with the process and the importance of the dashboard. Collective diligence amplifies productivity.
  • Automation Where Possible:Look into automating repetitive tasks or reminders through Salesforce’s built-in automation tools. This can save time and reduce the likelihood of human error.
  • Feedback and Iteration:Solicit feedback from your team or reflect on your usage to identify areas for improvement. Salesforce dashboards and reports are versatile tools that can evolve with your needs.

By implementing these strategies, you’re not just setting up a reminder system; you’re crafting a workflow that bridges proactive task management with efficiency.

Conclusion

With these steps and best practices in mind, your Task Reminder Dashboard will become a cornerstone of your daily routine, ensuring that no task goes unnoticed or deadline missed. For businesses seeking to further streamline their Salesforce experience, consider Coefficient.

This highly acclaimed tool on AppExchange provides seamless integration with Google Sheets and Excel, enabling sophisticated data management and enhancing team efficiency. Discover how Coefficient can transform your Salesforce strategy today by visiting Coefficient. Elevate your productivity to new heights—where efficiency meets innovation.

Get started today for free!

How to Archive Dashboards in Salesforce

In the realm of modern business, managing Salesforce data effectively is pivotal. Dashboards in Salesforce provide a clear picture of vital business data, guiding critical decisions.

As businesses expand, the volume of data and the need for efficient data management strategies become more pronounced.

This is where the concept of data archiving in Salesforce becomes crucial, particularly for Salesforce orgs grappling with storage costs and data overload.

The Importance of Data Archiving in Salesforce

Data archiving is not just about data storage; it’s a strategic approach to managing large data volumes in your Salesforce platform.

By archiving, you systematically store and manage less-used dashboards, ensuring quick access to current and vital information.

This process is integral to maintaining data integrity and data security, especially when dealing with custom objects and sensitive business data.

Why Archive Dashboards in Salesforce?

Archiving is more than a mere data storage technique; it’s a comprehensive data management strategy. It’s crucial for:

  • Improving User Experience: By archiving, Salesforce users navigate less clutter, leading to a more streamlined and efficient user interface.
  • Optimizing System Performance: The archiving process helps in managing storage limits and enhancing system performance.
  • Ensuring Data Security and Compliance: With concerns like GDPR, it’s essential to have robust data retention policies and data protection mechanisms in place.

Step-by-Step Guide to Archiving Dashboards in Salesforce

Archiving dashboards in Salesforce is a strategic way to maintain a clutter-free and efficient environment. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to seamlessly archive dashboards and enhance the overall user experience.

Step 1: Access Your Salesforce Dashboard

  • Log into your Salesforce account and navigate to the dashboard you want to archive, considering your data archiving strategy.
  • Click on the dashboard name to open it.
Accessing Salesforce Dashboard for Archiving

Step 2: Enter the Dashboard Editor

  • In the upper-right corner of the dashboard, locate the “Move” button.
  • Click on it.
Entering Dashboard Editor in Salesforce

Step 3: Select Components for Archiving

  • Identify the components on the dashboard that you want to archive. Choose the components based on data lifecycle, volume of data, and relevance.
  • Hover over a component, and click on the drop-down arrow in the upper-right corner.
  • Select “Archive Component” from the menu.
Selecting Components for Archiving in Salesforce Dashboard

Step 4: View Archived Dashboards

  • To view your archived dashboards, navigate to the Salesforce Home page.
  • In the left sidebar, under the “Dashboards” tab, click on “Archived Dashboards.” 
  • Here, you can access and manage all your archived components.
Viewing Archived Dashboards in Salesforce

For a detailed video walk-through, check out our YouTube Tutorial.

Tips and Best Practices

Every business has unique needs. Tailor your archiving strategy to your specific use case, whether it’s handling large data volumes, maintaining data lifecycle, or customizing page layouts and functionality.

Ensuring data security and governance is paramount. Implementing data governance practices ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR. Regular data protection audits and adherence to data retention policies are essential.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are the common problems you might encounter while archiving your dashboard on Salesforce and the best solution to troubleshoot them:

1. Access Denied Errors

  • Issue: Users may encounter “Access Denied” errors when attempting to archive dashboards.
  • Solution: Ensure that users have the necessary permissions to archive dashboards. Verify their roles and adjust permissions as needed in Salesforce settings.

2. Archived Dashboards Still Visible

  • Issue: Even after archiving, some users might still see the dashboards.
  • Solution: Clear browser cache and refresh the page. If the issue persists, double-check the archiving settings and confirm that the dashboards are properly archived.

3. Performance Issues After Archiving

  • Issue: Some users might experience performance issues after archiving a large number of dashboards.
  • Solution: Optimize dashboard components or consult Salesforce support for large data volume issues.

4. Loss of Data on Archived Dashboards

  • Issue: Users may worry about losing data when archiving dashboards.
  • Solution: Ensure that data backup practices are in place before archiving.

5. Dashboard Dependency Errors

  • Issue: Archiving a dashboard may lead to errors if it is dependent on other components or reports.
  • Solution: Identify dependencies before archiving and update or remove them accordingly. Ensure that all related components are compatible with the archiving process.

6. User Resistance to Change

  • Issue: Users may resist the change of archiving dashboards they are accustomed to.
  • Solution: Provide clear communication about the reasons for archiving and the benefits it brings. Offer training and support to help users adapt to the new system.

Conclusion

Archiving dashboards in Salesforce is a critical step in managing data effectively and optimizing system performance. By incorporating advanced tools like Coefficient, you can further streamline your Salesforce experience. Coefficient enhances data management, user experience, and ensures a more intuitive interface, perfectly aligning with the best practices of Salesforce data archiving.

Unlock the full potential of your Salesforce dashboards and elevate your decision-making processes effortlessly with Coefficient. Explore Coefficient and take your Salesforce data management to the next level.

Salesforce KPI Dashboard Examples: Every Sales Leader must use in 2024

For sales leaders, KPI dashboards allow them to make sense of the sales performance and chart strategy for the sales cycle.

Sales dashboards are often built in Salesforce CRM by the SalesOps team. But the inherent limitations of Salesforce reporting functionalities make it cumbersome for the SalesOps team to create and maintain dashboards.

That’s why many SalesOps turn to the flexibility of spreadsheets to build their Salesforce dashboards.

However, this requires SalesOps to not only build dashboards in their spreadsheets. SalesOps users must also continuously copy-and-paste fresh Salesforce data into their spreadsheets to keep the dashboards up-to-date.

That’s why we built our free dashboard templates for SalesOps. Our templates allow SalesOps to launch pre-built Salesforce dashboards in Google Sheets, powered by real-time data sync automation from their Salesforce CRM.

Here are the top 6 Salesforce KPI dashboards examples for sales leaders, along with pre-built Google Sheets templates for each one.

Accounts Overview Dashboard

Salesforce Accounts Overview Dashboard

Coefficient’s Accounts Overview Dashboard for Google Sheets is a centralized dashboard for all of your customer account metrics. You can dive deep into any of your accounts, and access pre-built visualizations directly in your Google spreadsheet.

The dashboard allows you to monitor activity, track sales rep performance, and win future deals for all of your different customer accounts. See open opportunities, closed lost, closed won timeline, and more.

Download our free Salesforce Account Overview Dashboard below!

Download Salesforce Account Overview Dashboard

Pipeline Creation Dashboard

Salesforce Pipeline Creation Dashboard on Google Sheets

The Salesforce Pipeline Creation Dashboard offers a definitive view of pipeline creation, replete with visualizations, inside your Google spreadsheet. Now you can track how your reps and teams are generating pipe, based on your live Salesforce data, all from your Google spreadsheet.

Monitor critical sales KPIs by day, week, or month, so you can modify sales strategy, augment sales qualified opportunities, and drive more revenue. Download the free Salesforce dashboard below!

Download Salesforce Pipeline Creation Dashboard

Sales Performance KPI Dashboard

Sales Performance Dashboard template
Monitor your sales team’s performance, all within a single view. This Sales Performance Analysis Template allows you to see if and how sales reps are meeting kpis, annual goals, without requiring you to build anything.

Harness charts and graphs to view sales performance by time period, opportunity type, and country. Filter visualizations by year, team, opportunity, and geolocation.

Download Sales Performance KPI Dashboard

Sales Team Leaderboard

Sales Team Dashboard on Google Sheets

Coefficient’s Sales Team Leaderboard encourages friendly competition among your sales reps, leading to more closed deals and higher revenue. View side-by-side comparisons of all your reps for key sales metrics, such as opps created, win rate, new logos, and more. You can also easily toggle between reps, teams, years, and opportunity type.  Download the Salesforce Sales Rep Leaderboard Dashboard now!

Download Salesforce Sales Rep Leaderboard Dashboard

Win-Loss Analysis Dashboard

Win Loss Analysis Dashboard on Google Sheets

The Win-Loss Analysis Dashboard breaks down your winning and losing sales efforts in granular detail, so you can set a victorious strategy in the future. The dashboard leverages your live Salesforce data to create visualizations of win-loss KPIs.

Use this spreadsheet dashboard to monitor how company, team, and individual win rates are impacted by sales efforts. Identify performance trends early to double-down on wins or adjust strategy where you have lower win rates. Generate a clean list of recently lost opportunities and why they failed.

Download our free Win-Loss Template in one click!

Download Win-Loss Analysis Dashboard

Sales Opportunity Dashboard

Salesforce Sales Opportunity Dashboard

You can leverage our Salesforce Sales Opportunity Dashboard to manage the full lifecycle of your sales opportunities. Retain visibility into all stages of your opportunity pipeline by stage, for any month, quarter, or year, past or present. Track key monthly sales KPIs, such as win rate, average deal size, and value of each stage or forecast category.

Download the Salesforce Sales Opportunity Dashboard for free now to streamline your sales opportunities!

Download Salesforce Sales Opportunity Dashboard

Opportunity History Dashboard

Salesforce Opportunity History Dashboard in Google Sheets

It’s difficult to access sales forecast changes in Salesforce. The CRM’s functionality prevents you from easily generating such a report. However, with our Opportunity History Template, you can view sales forecast changes directly inside Google Sheets.

The spreadsheet template measures the impact on your revenue by tracking new sales pipelines, lost opportunities, modified close dates, and upsells. Now you can track your sales pipeline over any time period, isolate opportunities that have changed in value, set custom fiscal periods, record changes to close dates, and much more.

You can launch our free Opportunity History Template in less than a minute. Give it a try!

Download Opportunity History Dashboard

Sales Leader Dashboards: Take the Burden Off Your Plate

Building Salesforce dashboards for sales leaders is a time-consuming process for SalesOps users. However, with our pre-built Google Sheets dashboards, you can reproduce your most valuable Salesforce dashboard directly inside your spreadsheet. The best part is that the dashboards are free – so you can try the ones in this blog or any other in our templates gallery right now!

How to Connect Salesforce to Excel

Salesforce provides go-to-market professionals with the data they need to optimize sales and marketing operations and drive more revenue.

Here’s the catch: Its native reporting capabilities aren’t always the easiest to use.

Fortunately, Salesforce Excel connectors make it easy to seamlessly integrate your data into your spreadsheet.

Read on to find out more about the best methods to link Salesforce CRM to Excel.

TLDR

  • Step 1:

     Find & Install Coefficient from File -> Add-ins in Excel

  • Step 2:

    Once installed, you will see a “Coefficient” tab at the top navigation bar.

  • Step 3:

    Click ‘Open Sidebar’ to launch Coefficient in Excel.

  • Step 4:

    Choose Import Data and select Salesforce as the data source.

  • Step 5:

    Specify your import’s Object fields by Selecting the Fields from window.

  • Step 6:

    Click Run to connect data directly between Salesforce to Excel.

  • Step 7:

    Automate updating your Salesforce data on Excel with auto-refreshes to avoid manual work.

Is There a Salesforce Excel Connector?

Salesforce does not provide a native “Salesforce Excel Connector” in the same way they offer native integration tools for other platforms.

However, several alternatives offer flexibility in integrating Salesforce data into Excel, catering to various needs and technical ability:

  • Third-party Tools and Add-ins: Solutions like Coefficient simplify the importation process, featuring user-friendly interfaces and automated data syncing. Ideal for seamless data analysis without extensive setup.
  • Manual Exports: Users can export Salesforce reports as CSV or XLSX files and open them in Excel. This quick solution is perfect for one-time analyses but doesn’t offer real-time data updates.
  • Salesforce API and VBA: For the tech-savvy, pairing the Salesforce API with Excel’s VBA customizes data queries and enables automation. This method delivers fresh, customized data directly into Excel sheets.
  • Power Query: Microsoft Power Query allows technical users to extract Salesforce data into Excel Desktop, facilitating data manipulation and allowing for scheduled updates.
  • ODBC Drivers: By establishing an ODBC data source for Salesforce, users adept in SQL can directly query Salesforce data from Excel, providing a potent tool for data manipulation.

How do I Link data from Salesforce to Excel? Top 3 Methods

There are several ways to integrate data from Salesforce to Excel.

Here, we will cover the three easiest ways: Coefficient, the XL-Connector, and Manually

Method 1: Coefficient

Coefficient is a no-code, two-way Salesforce Excel Connector trusted by over 300,000 go-to-market professionals and data analysts for live data analysis and reporting.

It’s by far the fastest and easiest way to connect Excel to Salesforce. Let’s walk through how it works.

To install Coefficient, open Excel from your desktop or in Office Online.

Click ‘File’ > ‘Get Add-ins’ > ‘More Add-Ins.’

Type “Coefficient” in the search bar and click  ‘Add.’

Coefficient in Microsoft Add-in marketplace

A pop-up will open up. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Installing Coefficient from Microsoft Add-in marketplace

Once finished, you will see a “Coefficient” tab at the top navigation bar.

Click ‘Open Sidebar’ to launch Coefficient.

Opening Coefficient Add-in from Excel

Now, you can connect Salesforce and Excel in a few clicks.

Select ‘Import from…’

Image11

Scroll down until you find Salesforce in the menu.

Adding Salesforce data source to Excel using Coefficient Add-in

There are several ways to import data from Salesforce with Coefficient.

  1. Import from an existing report
  2. Import from objects and fields
  3. Import using SOQL

In this example, we’ll select ‘From Objects & Fields.’

Choosing 'From Objects & Fields' option for Salesforce data import to Excel in Coefficient

If this is your first time connecting to Salesforce, you’ll need to authorize Coefficient to access your data.

Salesforce and Coefficient Excel Add-in Authorization

Click ‘Authorize’ and follow the prompts to continue.

After you’ve granted Coefficient access to your Salesforce account, it will redirect you back to Excel to create your import.

Select an object from the menu and click ‘Next.’

selecting account object in salesforce data source from coefficient excel add-in

Click ‘Select Fields’ to reveal a list of fields to add to this import.

Selecting fields in Coefficient Salesforce Excel Connector

Select the fields you want to import by scrolling through the menu. You can also search for each in the menu.

Image23

After making your selections, click ‘Done Selecting Fields’ to continue.  

Note: You can add filters to your import as needed.  

Name your import and click ‘Import’ to continue.

Naming the salesforce excel import

Your Salesforce import will automatically populate in Excel.

imported salesforce data in excel using Coefficient add-in

The last step is to use Coefficient’s auto-refresh scheduler to automatically update your data. Simply choose your cadence (Hourly, Daily, or Weekly) and time – Coefficient will take care of the rest.

Image21

Method 2: Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) Drivers

Excel for Desktop users connect Salesforce to Excel by using an ODBC. In this example, we’ll use the Devart OBDC Driver for Salesforce on macOS..

Note: Ensure you have the necessary Salesforce login credentials and have configured the ODBC data source correctly to facilitate a smooth data import process.

First, open Excel, head to Excel > About Excel to check if your version is compatible with the Devart ODBC driver specifications.

Next, visit the Devart website and navigate to the ODBC Driver for Salesforce page.

Download the driver compatible with macOS, open the file, and follow the instructions through to completion.

odbc driver installation window

To configure the ODBC Data Source, go to your Mac’s System Preferences > ODBC Manager.

In the ODBC Data Source Administrator, under the “User DSN” or “System DSN” tab, click “Add” to create a new data source.

Creating a new data source for Salesforce in ODBC Data Source Administrator

Select the Devart ODBC Driver for Salesforce from the list and fill in your Salesforce connection details, including any necessary authentication tokens.

Salesforce connection details in Devart ODBC Driver setup

To connect Salesforce from Excel, open Excel from your desktop and go to the Data tab.

Select “Get Data” > “From Database” > “From ODBC.”

data import from Salesforce to Excel using "From ODBC" option

Choose the DSN you configured for Salesforce and enter any required login credentials.

Configuring Salesforce DSN and entering login credentials for ODBC in Excel

Select the tables or queries you want to import from the Navigator window. You can preview your data here and even edit it using Excel’s Query Editor.

Selecting tables or queries for Salesforce data import via Excel's Query Editor

Click “Load” to import your data directly into an Excel worksheet, or “Load To” for more specific placement options.

Loading Salesforce data directly into an Excel worksheet through ODBC connection

Cons

  • Salesforce-Specific: It’s tailored exclusively for Salesforce, limiting its use for organizations that need to integrate multiple data sources within Excel for broader analyses.
  • Setup Complexity: Advanced features might require a good grasp of Salesforce and Excel, posing challenges for non-technical users or those with limited time to learn the tool’s complexities.
  • Version Compatibility Concerns: XL-Connector’s functionality is closely tied to specific Excel versions, which may lead to challenges in maintaining compatibility and optimal performance across different Excel updates or installations.

Method 3: Manually Exporting

Another option is manually exporting your report from Salesforce and importing it into Excel.

To do so, navigate to the Reports tab in Salesforce.

Navigating to Salesforce's Reports tab for data export to Excel

Create or select the report you wish to export to Excel.

Creating or selecting a Salesforce report for export to Excel

Once the report is ready, click on ‘Export’ and choose the Excel format (e.g., .xls or .xlsx).

Open the downloaded Salesforce report in Excel to finish.

Cons:

  • Time and Effort: The need for exporting, possibly reformatting, and then importing data into Excel requires significant manual effort, especially with frequent updates.
  • Risk of Mistakes: Handling data manually increases the chance of errors during export, transformation, or import, potentially leading to inaccurate data and decisions based on outdated information.

The Best Salesforce Excel Connector? Coefficient

Get the most out of your Salesforce data by connecting it to Excel.

Coefficient provides the most seamless and hassle-free way to pull up Salesforce data into Excel with its intuitive UI and quick setup.

Try Coefficient for free today to try it out for yourself!

How to Set Up Salesforce Reporting Snapshots

Salesforce Reporting Snapshots are an essential tool for capturing and analyzing historical data, enabling you to understand trends and make informed decisions. Today, we’ll walk you through the straightforward steps to set up Salesforce Reporting Snapshots efficiently.

Prerequisites
Before diving in, ensure you have Salesforce access, and a basic grasp of reports and dashboards. Ready? Let’s jump in!

Step-by-Step Guide for Salesforce Reporting Snapshots

Step 1: Understanding Reporting Snapshots
First off, reporting snapshots allow you to preserve historical data from standard objects, providing insight into past performances, trends, and patterns.

Step 2: Navigate to the Setup Menu
Head to the setup menu and use the Quick Find box to search for “snapshots.” This is your gateway to creating new reporting snapshot.

Accessing the setup in Salesforce

Step 3: Create a New Reporting Snapshot
Click on “New Re porting Snapshot.” Here, you’ll base the snapshot on an existing report, like one detailing opportunities above $50,000 without a sales team.

Creating a new reporting snapshot in Salesforce

Step 4: Configure the Reporting Snapshot
Name your snapshot, which will auto-generate a unique name. Assign a running user—this will be you, especially crucial if you’re managing these decisions strategically, as a CEO, for instance.

Naming and configuring Salesforce reporting snapshot

Choose your source report and target object, ensuring the report is either tabular or summary to use in a snapshot.

Mapping fields between source report and target object in Salesforce

Step 5: Map Fields Between Source and Target
Select “Save and Edit Field Mappings.” Map the fields you wish to capture in your snapshot, like aligning “Amount” with “Amount” and “Close Date” with “Close Date.”

Choosing your source report and target object

Step 6: Schedule the Reporting Snapshot
Decide on the snapshot’s frequency—daily, weekly, or monthly. Set up the specific day for weekly runs, the start date, and the preferred start time (say, 2 am for minimal disruption)

Scheduling the frequency of Salesforce reporting snapshot

Best Practices and Tips

Consistency in Data Fields
Ensure consistency in the field mappings between the source report and the target object. This consistency is crucial for accurate trend analysis and tracking success metrics over time.

Regular Reviews and Adjustments
Reporting requirements may evolve as business goals change. Regularly review and adjust the reporting snapshots to ensure they stay aligned with your current business objectives.

Optimize Snapshot Scheduling
When setting the frequency of snapshots, consider the impact on system performance and the relevance of the data. For example, a snapshot related to quarterly revenue might only need a monthly schedule, whereas daily sales performance might benefit from daily snapshots.

Leverage High-Quality Reports as Sources
Quality in, quality out. Ensure the source reports are well-constructed and accurate. A snapshot is only as good as the report it’s based on.

Security and Privacy Considerations
When selecting the running user and mapping fields, be mindful of data security and privacy considerations. Ensure that sensitive data is handled according to your organization’s compliance standards.

Expanding Capabilities with Coefficient
Integrate Salesforce with Coefficient for an elevated analytics experience. Coefficient, with its robust integration capabilities, streamlines the process of merging Salesforce data with Google Sheets or Excel, offering unparalleled flexibility in customizing reports.

This tool not only augments the power of Salesforce Reporting Snapshots but also ensures your team, regardless of Salesforce licensing, stays informed with real-time updates through Slack and email notifications.

Benefits of Implementation

Implementing Salesforce reporting snapshots empowers your organization to keep a pulse on historical data, identifying trends and making data-driven decisions.

We hope this guide has illuminated the path to mastering Salesforce Reporting Snapshots in six simple steps. Don’t stop here; take action by exploring Coefficient’s solutions to elevate your Salesforce experience even further.

Get started here and unlock the potential of enhanced data analysis and reporting.