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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.”
Salesforce report types show blank cells when intermediate objects in a relationship chain don’t exist, with no ability to implement conditional logic or default values for better user experience.
Here’s how to create intelligent reports that gracefully handle incomplete lookup chains with meaningful fallback data.
Handle null lookup values with intelligent fallback logic using Coefficient
CoefficientSalesforceoffers superior null value handling through its Formula Auto Fill Down feature and spreadsheet-based conditional logic. When importing data fromobjects with incomplete lookup chains, you can create formulas that detect null values and implement sophisticated fallback logic automatically.
How to make it work
Step 1. Import complete field lists from all objects in your relationship path.
Use the Objects & Fields import method to pull all available fields from each object in your lookup chain. This ensures you have access to alternative data sources when the primary chain is incomplete.
Step 2. Create conditional logic for missing intermediate objects.
Use spreadsheet functions like IF, ISBLANK, and VLOOKUP to create intelligent displays. For example: =IF(ISBLANK(C2), D2, C2) will show the direct relationship value when the indirect chain is missing.
Step 3. Set up fallback data sources.
When Object D relates to Object A through missing intermediate Objects C and B, configure your formulas to automatically check for the direct D→A relationship. Use nested IF statements or COALESCE functions to prioritize data sources.
Step 4. Implement Formula Auto Fill Down.
SalesforcePlace your conditional logic formulas in the column immediately to the right of your imported data. This ensures the logic automatically applies to new records during scheduled refreshes from.
Step 5. Add explanatory text for user clarity.
Create formulas that show alternative data sources, display explanatory text, or trigger different calculation methods based on which relationship path contains data. For example: =IF(ISBLANK(B2), “Direct relationship: ” & C2, “Chain relationship: ” & B2).
Create user-friendly reports that make sense
Get started with CoefficientThis spreadsheet-based approach provides infinitely more flexibility than static custom report types, allowing you to create reports that gracefully handle incomplete lookup chains.to build reports that actually help your users understand the data.
