Salesforce Wave Explained - External Data Upsert, Append and Delete

Most of us are familiar with the Create New Dataset capabilities in Salesforce Wave Analytics.  It's a quick and easy method to import a csv (comma separated values) file into Analytics Cloud.  Behind the scenes, the External Data API is used to load the dataset.

If you have only used the Wave User Interface, you may have though Overwrite was the only available operation. Each time to specify a dataset or update an existing data set with Wave, it overwrites the entire dataset with the new values.

There's a lot more to the External Data API, including the ability to append, upsert and delete data. Let's dig deeper into the capabilities of the External Data API and how to do more than just overwriting data.

Solving Change Set Error: Is Not a Valid Override for Action View

Recently, I was promoting changes from a Sandbox org to a Production environment.  While my change set had a lot of items, they were all rather basic - custom objects, custom fields, tabs, page layouts and list views.

When validating my changes in the Production org, I encountered a rather unexpected error - Building_Record_Page does not exist or is not a valid override for action View.  In my case, Building was the name of one of my custom objects.

While I thought this was a straight forward item to resolve, my initial hypothesis on the source of the error was incorrect.  Here's my journey to find the root cause and resolve the issue.

Salesforce Wave Explained - Cogroup

Lately, I have received a few questions around ways to combine data in Salesforce Wave.  Previous posts have covered combining internal and external data with data flow transformations.  If combining data while loading is not an option, there are other ways to get the results you need.  While the group statement is a staple of SAQL, its sibling cogroup has a staring role when combining multiple input streams.  Let's take a closer look at cogroup and how we use it to combine two datasets.

App Launch - Your ISV Business Plan

Presently, I am in the midst of another app launch to the Salesforce App Exchange.  As usually the case, experience has been a good teacher in the dos and don'ts of building out both the business and technical side at an ISV.

With the latest launch of new Trailhead content, there are additional tools to help you chart your way to success.  I have gone through the ISV Business Planning trail and it covers a lot of key points that can help you out on your journey.  Here's my review of the new content.

Crashing Process Builder

I have been doing a quite a bit of work lately with Lightning Process Builder.  It has been very helpful in automating various business processes.

I had the need to kick things up a notch a dive into Invocable Methods as an immediate action in my flow.  There are some great posts out there on Lightning Process Builder and Invocable Methods, if you want to learn more.

One of the features with the InvocableMethod annotation is the ability to add a label and description to your provide more context when in Process Builder.

Summer 16 - Top Nine New Features

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens and the Summer 16 release -- these are a few of my favorite things.  With the Summer 16 Release Notes preview arriving last Friday, we are officially in upgrade season.  Be sure to check out the full schedule of key dates in the release process.  Of particular importance is the Preview Sandbox cut off date of April 29.  After perusing the almost 400 page release document and jumping into my pre-release org, here are my top nine new features.

Where's Astro?

Do you like adventure and the chance to win prizes?  Then Trailhead needs your help!  Astro is missing, as of April 1st.  Of course, at my house this seems to be a regular occurrence.  See if you can find Astro in the below photo (both big and little Astro are hiding among their friends).

What Sets Salesforce Apart

As Trailhead’s content continues to evolve, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes the first stop to learn about Salesforce.  The recent release of new trails and modules continues the expansion from its technical roots to a wider focus. 

For instance, lets take a look at the Navigate the Salesforce Advantage trail.  This trail helps explain who Salesforce is (usefully if you have ever tried to explain this to your family), the basics and benefits of the platform, as well as the power of the ecosystem.  While there are four modules in the trail, I am going to focus on two of them.

Wave API and Wave Tools

The Spring 16 release of the Analytics Cloud included the Wave REST API moving from pilot to GA.  This is good news for all of us.  The endpoints are now available with API version 36 and new development will have the backwards compatibility we are used to with the rest of the platform.

However, this means the internal API used in prior Wave versions is now private and for Salesforce use only.  While the API remains available for the next 12 months, newly created dashboard assets are not available.

It’s March SaaSness Time

Are you ready for March madness!  Together with my pals Peter Knolle and Jesse Altman, we have put our own spin on the tournament season.  As part of the Lehigh Valley Salesforce Developers User Group March meetup, we have put together our very own bracket of Salesforce features.

Lightning Experience Navigation Menus How To

With the Spring 16 Salesforce release having been deployed to all instances this past weekend, I am excited to put Customizable Navigation Menus to use.  While the Lightning Experience has provided many great user interface improvements.  The fixed navigation menu on the left side of the screen has been a significant obstacle to adoption.

While the dozen or so menu items provided by Salesforce may work for Sales Cloud, navigating to the app menu list and then the details of an app just to get to another object's tab is bad user experience for custom apps and ISVs alike.  Well, the wait is over. No longer are we stuck with set menu items.   The navigation experience can now be customized.  The steps are fairly easy, but there are a few points that are good to know.

A Better Way to Manage JSON and SAQL in Analytics Cloud

It’s really easy to get started with Analytics Cloud.  Load an internal or external dataset, create a couple of lens, clip to a dashboard and relish in the insights.  Now to get the most out of Wave, you have to dive under the covers and work with JSON and SAQL (Salesforce Analytics Query Language).

Previously, this meant spinning up your favorite editor, digging through the documentation and a lot of copy and paste.  Thanks to the innovation coming from Salesforce Labs, there is a new tool that enables inline editing of Metadata/JSON as well as SAQL.  Let’s take a look and see how much time you can save.

Tips for Working in Multiple Salesforce Environments

How many different Salesforce environments do you work in - 1, 2, 5, 20, more?  I tried to count up all the different logins I have and gave up after hitting 50.  The ease at which you can sign up for a free Salesforce org is one of Salesforce's greatest strengths. However, it contributes to org sprawl and the need to manage multiple usernames and passwords.

In addition, as a Salesforce ISV/SI partner there are development orgs, branch orgs, packaging orgs, testing orgs, patch orgs, release orgs, trial orgs, and more.  Throw in my company business org, the Salesforce Success Community and Partner Community just to make it fun.  That's a lot of org credentials to remember and access on a daily basis.

Here is how I keep track of it all.  My focus is on using Chrome, as it is my browser of choice and is available across platforms.