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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.”
Standard Salesforce reporting can’t extract field API names without showing actual record data, making it impossible to create clean field inventories for documentation or schema analysis.
Here’s how to pull pure field metadata by record type using Custom SOQL queries that bypass standard reporting limitations.
Extract field API names using Coefficient
Salesforce’s native tools fall short because they’re built for data reporting, not metadata extraction. Field visibility varies by record type and page layout, making comprehensive field inventories nearly impossible through standard interfaces.
Coefficient’s Custom SOQL Query functionality lets you query metadata objects directly, extracting field API names without touching actual record data.
How to make it work
Step 1. Connect to Salesforce and set up Custom SOQL Query.
Open your spreadsheet and launch Coefficient. Select Salesforce as your data source, then choose “Custom SOQL Query” from the import options. This gives you direct access to metadata objects that standard reporting can’t reach.
Step 2. Query the FieldDefinition object for field API names.
Use this SOQL query to extract field API names for your target object:
Replace ‘Case’ with your target object name. This returns all field API names, labels, and data types without any record data.
Step 3. Add record type information if needed.
For record type-specific field visibility, run a separate query against the RecordType object:
This shows which record types exist for your object, helping you understand field associations.
Step 4. Export and schedule automatic updates.
Export your field inventory directly to your spreadsheet format of choice. Set up automated refreshes to keep your field documentation current as your Salesforce schema evolves, ensuring your field inventory stays accurate without manual updates.
Build comprehensive field documentation
This approach gives you complete field metadata without exposing sensitive record information. You can create shareable field inventories that update automatically and provide the schema documentation your team needs. Start building your field inventory today.
