Apps and Tabs in Salesforce

Apps and tabs in Salesforce empower users to interact with the platform. In this scenario, applications serve as the entry points to specific functionalities, while tabs are the windows into various features and data within those applications.

However, understanding how to design and configure apps and tabs in Salesforce is essential for optimizing user experience and streamlining business processes. 

In this blog, we will delve into the world of Salesforce applications and tabs, unravelling their significance and providing insights into how they can be tailored to meet your organization’s unique needs. 

What is Apps in Salesforce?

In Salesforce, apps (applications) comprise a cohesive ensemble of tabs that collaborate to deliver distinct functionalities. These applications serve as a comprehensive repository for all objects, tabs, and other functional elements. Each application is characterized by a designated name, a logo, and a meticulously organized assortment of tabs. The most basic application encompasses just a single tab, which typically is the home tab, and features a default logo.

Here’s what you need to know regarding the objectives of every application in Salesforce:

• Streamlining workflows: By organizing related tabs and objects under a single app, you simplify navigation for users. For instance, a Sales app might include tabs for Leads, Opportunities, and Contacts, making it easy for sales teams to access relevant data.
• Enhancing security: Apps also help control access to data. You can assign different apps to different user profiles, ensuring that each user only sees the information they need.

Types of Salesforce Apps

Apps in Salesforce are of different types, as explained in the following: 

1. Standard Apps

Salesforce provides a set of pre-built apps designed for common business functions, such as Sales, Service, and Marketing. These standard apps come ready-made with standard objects, layouts, and tabs. They’re perfect for getting started quickly.

2. Custom Apps

If your organization has unique needs or processes, you can create custom apps tailored to your requirements. Custom apps allow you to select the objects, tabs, and features that best suit your business in Salesforce. For example, you can create a “Recruitment” app to manage job listings, candidates, and interviews. They can be made by putting together custom and standard. Logos given to custom apps can be easily changed. 

Steps for Creating Apps in Salesforce

Now that you are familiar with the Salesforce application and its types. Now, it’s time to discuss the steps required to create one:

To create a Salesforce application, you need to follow the following:

In case you would like to append this application to any other profile or append other tabs to this application, you need to follow these steps:

If you would like to alter the image for the app, click on Insert an Image and upload your own from the documents. Also, if you would like to append several tabs to your application, it can be done by selecting the tabs from Available Tabs and finally clicking on Add.

If you want to append your novel application to any profile, tick the checkboxes as shown below:

By following these steps, you can create your Salesforce application very easily. If you are looking for the differences between types of applications, we will explain them in the next part.

Difference Between Standard App and Custom App

Salesforce Custom App	Salesforce Standard App
It is a group of tabs and objects.	It is similar, but the navigation part is different.
It’s a little bit difficult to find the data.	The standard app is designed to improve productivity.
We need to navigate to find the related data.	All related data will be available on the same screen.
They are slower in comparison with console or standard apps	They speed up the operation.

So, these are the key differences between standard apps and custom apps. Further, we will move on to ‌tabs in Salesforce. 

Tabs in Salesforce

Salesforce Tabs are like the menu options in a software application. They allow you to access specific functions, objects, or data. 

Here’s what you should know about the types of tabs in Salesforce:

1. Standard Tabs

Standard tabs are associated with standard objects, such as Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities in Salesforce. These tabs come preconfigured with standard apps like Sales and Service.

2. Custom Tabs

In addition to standard tabs, you can create custom tabs for custom objects. For instance, if you’ve created a custom object to track projects, you can create a custom tab called “Projects” to access project-related data.

3. Visualforce Tabs

Visualforce tabs are a powerful feature in Salesforce. They allow you to embed Visualforce pages directly within a tab. This means you can create custom interfaces and functionality using Visualforce, a powerful development framework.

4. Organizing Tabs

Salesforce provides flexibility in how you organize your tabs. You can reorder them, create sub-tabs (called “nested tabs”), and set permissions to control who can access specific tabs.

So, these are the different tabs in Salesforce and their features. Now, let us explore the various types of visibility that you can get in the tabs.

Types of Tab Visibility

It is crucial to ensure that the right tabs are visible to their respective user roles for high data security and streamlined operations. Different types of tab visibility can be explained as follows: 

Type of Tab Visibility	Action
Default On	If you select this type of visibility, then the bar at the top displays the particular tab, along with the other tabs.
Default Off	If you select this type of visibility, then the user will have to click the ‘+’ icon on the bar at the top, next to all the other tabs that are visible.
Tab Hidden	If you select this visibility option, then it will hide the tab from the bar at the top, and the user won’t be able to access it even with the ‘+’ icon.

Note: 

• Users can edit this according to their preferences.
• Whenever we delete any custom tab then the object associated with that is not deleted.
• When we delete a custom object then the tab associated with that object is deleted.  

Difference Between Tab and Object in Salesforce 

It’s essential to understand the distinction between tabs and objects:

Tabs: Tabs are the user interface elements that provide access to objects, functions, or data. They represent the front end of your Salesforce experience.

Objects: Objects, on the other hand, are the backend structures that hold data. For example, the “Account” object stores information about companies or organizations, while the “Contact” object stores information about individuals associated with those companies.

Customizing Your Salesforce Tabs

As you dive deeper into Salesforce, you’ll discover the power of customization. You can organize tabs in Salesforce to suit particular needs. You can use the ‘‘Customize my tabs button’’ to select the tabs and their order for display. This flexibility allows you to switch apps quickly and efficiently. 

Conclusion

With a solid understanding of Salesforce apps and tabs, you’re better equipped to navigate the platform efficiently. Whether you’re working with standard apps and tabs or creating custom ones to meet specific business requirements, Salesforce offers a world of possibilities. 

In the next instalment of our series, we will shine a spotlight on the essential element of Fields in Salesforce. So, stay tuned for the next blog, where we’ll uncover the world of Salesforce fields and equip you with the knowledge to harness their power.

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