Salesforce App Builder Practice Exam

What is the primary function of a validation rule in Salesforce?

1. To trigger workflow rules

2. To ensure data entered meets certain criteria

3. To limit lookup options available to users

4. To automatically format text fields

The correct answer is: To ensure data entered meets certain criteria

The primary function of a validation rule in Salesforce is to ensure that data entered into the system meets specific criteria or standards. Validation rules are used to enforce data integrity by checking the values of fields when records are created or updated, ensuring they comply with the predefined criteria set by the organization. For instance, a validation rule could check that a field must contain a valid email format or that certain fields are not left blank when a record is saved. If the data does not meet these criteria, the validation rule will prevent the record from being saved and display an error message to the user, prompting them to correct the data. This mechanism is critical in maintaining the quality and accuracy of data within Salesforce, directly contributing to better reporting and decision-making. In contrast, other options relate to different functionalities within Salesforce. Triggering workflow rules is a separate automation process that can depend on the outcomes of validation rules, but it does not define the main purpose of a validation rule. Limiting lookup options available to users pertains to controlling user interface behavior rather than validating the content of data entries. Automatically formatting text fields focuses on the presentation of data, which is not the role of validation rules. Thus, the essential purpose of a validation rule clearly centers around ensuring the accuracy and appropri