Why Every Salesforce Org Needs Error Handling Built Into Its Flows

Where Automation Meets Reality

Salesforce Flows are the Swiss Army knife of automation — versatile, powerful, and ready to solve just about any problem you throw at them. But here’s the thing about Swiss Army knives: they’re only useful if you know when to flip out the right tool and what to do when it doesn’t quite work.

That’s where error handling comes in.

Even the best-designed flows can run into roadblocks: a missing lookup value, a deleted record, or a user who’s mysteriously missing access they swear they had yesterday. The reality is, automation doesn’t always go according to plan — and when it doesn’t, the way your flow reacts can make or break your org’s trust in automation.

What Happens Without Error Handling?

Let’s paint the picture. A user clicks a button expecting a helpful update… and instead, they get blasted with a system error message that reads like robot Shakespeare:

“The flow failed to access the value for myVariable.SomeField because it hasn’t been set or assigned.”

Yikes.

Without proper error handling:

• Users are left confused (and frustrated)
• Records are partially updated or not updated at all
• Admins are stuck combing through flow fault logs
• Leadership starts doubting the reliability of automation

This isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a credibility killer. And when automation loses trust, adoption follows it out the door.

How to Build Resilient Flows

Let’s fix that. Here’s how you can start building smarter, safer flows — ones that work and fail gracefully:

1. Use Fault Connectors

Don’t leave elements hanging. Add fault paths to your screen elements, record updates, and Get/Update/Create/Delete elements. If something goes wrong, at least you’ve told the flow what to do next.

2. Log the Error

Create a custom “Error Log” object in your org. Or, at the very least, send an email to yourself (or a queue) with a clear subject line and error details. This lets you respond proactively instead of waiting for someone to complain.

3. Give the User Feedback

Don’t leave users guessing. Use a screen component to explain that the action didn’t complete and offer next steps — even if it’s just “Please try again or contact your admin.” A little clarity goes a long way.

4. Use Try/Catch Subflows

If you’re handling similar logic across multiple flows, build reusable subflows that manage errors consistently. This creates a central “catcher’s mitt” for your flow faults and simplifies long-term maintenance.

InkWell Tip:

Your flow’s job isn’t just to work — it’s to fail gracefully. A good admin plans for success. A great one plans for reality. Give your automations a safety net, and your users will thank you for it.

Need help building resilient flows that won’t leave your users stranded?

At InkWell Studios, we don’t just build Flows — we build fail-proof systems that protect user trust, streamline admin maintenance, and keep your Salesforce org running smoothly. Whether you need help designing scalable automation or adding intelligent error handling to your existing flows, we’ve got you covered.