Object manager & data model
⏱ ~3-min readAceMark Guide
What this topic is really about
The Merge action on Contacts, Accounts, and Leads lets a user combine up to three records, choose which field values to keep, and re-parent related records. Duplicate Rules prevent or warn, Matching Rules define how to identify them, Mass Transfer reassigns ownership.
In a master-detail relationship the child is tightly bound to the parent: deleting the parent cascades and deletes the children, and the child inherits the parent's sharing. A lookup relationship is looser and does not cascade-delete by default.
See the mechanism
Formula fields recalculate when the record is viewed, using values from the same record (and parent records via dot notation). A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.
An exam-style question, fully explained
Which type of field on a Salesforce object stores a value calculated from other fields on the SAME record, in real time, without code?
- Identify what the question tests: Which type of field on a Salesforce object stores a value calculated from other fields on the SAME record, in real time, without code.
- Formula fields recalculate when the record is viewed, using values from the same record (and parent records via dot notation).
- Roll-up Summary aggregates child records.
- Lookup is a reference.
- Auto Number is a sequence.
Traps the examiner sets
- Read each option carefully — distractors on Object manager & data model are designed to look plausible.
- Re-check the exact wording of the question stem before committing to an answer.
- Watch the qualifiers ("always", "only", "except") that flip a correct-looking option.
Test your recall
Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.
Run a focused 10-question mini-mock on Object manager & data model and see it stick.
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