How to Find Objects with ‘History’ in Their Name in Salesforce

Introduction

Salesforce is one of the most powerful CRM platforms available, offering a wide range of tools to help businesses manage their data effectively. One of its most valuable features is the ability to track changes to records using History Objects. These objects allow you to maintain a detailed audit trail, making it easier to monitor data changes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Salesforce History Objects, including how to find them, why they matter, and how to use them effectively. Whether you’re a Salesforce admin, developer, or business user, this post will help you unlock the full potential of history tracking.

What Are Salesforce History Objects?

History Objects are special objects in Salesforce that store historical data about changes made to records. They capture information such as:

• Which field was changed.
• The old and new values.
• The date and time of the change.
• The user who made the change.

These objects are available for both standard objects (e.g., Account, Opportunity) and custom objects. By enabling field history tracking, you can create a detailed audit trail for critical data.

Why Are History Objects Important?

History Objects play a crucial role in:

1. Auditing and Compliance: Many industries require businesses to maintain detailed records of data changes for regulatory compliance.
2. Troubleshooting: When something goes wrong, history objects help you identify what changed and who made the change.
3. Data Integrity: By tracking changes, you can ensure that your data remains accurate and reliable over time.
4. User Accountability: History objects provide transparency by showing which users made specific changes.

How to Find History Objects in Salesforce

Finding History Objects in Salesforce can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re dealing with a complex setup. Here are three methods to locate them:

1. Using Salesforce Object Manager

The Object Manager is the easiest way to find History Objects.

1. Log in to Salesforce.
2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Setup.
3. In the Quick Find box, type Object Manager and select it.
4. In the Object Manager, use the search box to type History.
5. You’ll see a list of objects with “History” in their name, such as Account History, Opportunity Field History, and custom object histories.

2. Using Salesforce Schema Builder

Schema Builder provides a visual way to explore your Salesforce data model.

1. Log in to Salesforce and navigate to Setup.
2. In the Quick Find box, type Schema Builder and select it.
3. Check the box next to All Objects to display all objects in your org.
4. Use the search function to type History.
5. Schema Builder will highlight all objects with “History” in their name, making it easy to locate them.

3. Using SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language)

For advanced users, SOQL is a powerful way to query metadata and find History Objects.

1. Open the Developer Console by clicking your avatar in the top right corner and selecting Developer Console.
2. Navigate to the Query Editor.
3. Run the following SOQL query:sqlCopySELECT QualifiedApiName FROM EntityDefinition WHERE QualifiedApiName LIKE ‘%History%’
4. This query will return a list of all objects with “History” in their name.

How to Enable Field History Tracking

To start using History Objects, you need to enable field history tracking for the objects and fields you want to monitor.

1. Go to Setup and open the Object Manager.
2. Select the object you want to track (e.g., Account).
3. Click Fields & Relationships.
4. Click Set History Tracking.
5. Select the fields you want to track and click Save.

Once enabled, Salesforce will automatically create a History Object for the selected fields.

Best Practices for Using History Objects

1. Track Only Essential Fields: Enabling history tracking for too many fields can lead to data clutter and storage issues. Focus on critical fields that require auditing.
2. Regularly Review History Data: Periodically check your history objects to ensure they’re capturing the data you need.
3. Use Reports and Dashboards: Create custom reports and dashboards to visualize history data and identify trends.
4. Train Your Team: Ensure your team understands the importance of history tracking and how to use it effectively.

Limitations of History Objects

While History Objects are incredibly useful, they do have some limitations:

• Storage Limits: History data counts toward your Salesforce data storage limits.
• Retention Period: By default, Salesforce retains history data for up to 18 months. You can request an extension if needed.
• Field Types: Not all field types can be tracked (e.g., formula fields, roll-up summary fields).

Conclusion

Salesforce History Objects are a powerful tool for maintaining data integrity, ensuring compliance, and troubleshooting issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily find and use History Objects to track changes in your Salesforce org. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced admin, mastering history tracking will help you get the most out of Salesforce.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with your network! Have questions or tips about Salesforce History Objects? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!

FAQs

Q: Can I track history for custom objects?

A: Yes, you can enable field history tracking for both standard and custom objects.

Q: How long does Salesforce retain history data?

A: By default, Salesforce retains history data for 18 months, but you can request an extension.

Q: Are there any costs associated with history tracking?

A: History data counts toward your Salesforce data storage limits, so it’s important to track only essential fields.