- Complete Guide to Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL)
Introduction
Salesforce Object Search Language (SOSL) is a powerful search language used in Salesforce Apex to perform text-based searches across multiple objects. Unlike SOQL, which queries specific objects, SOSL searches all records in Salesforce that match the given text, making it highly useful for global searches.
This guide covers:
✔ What is SOSL?
✔ SOSL vs. SOQL – Key Differences
✔ How to Write SOSL Queries in Apex
✔ Best Practices for Optimized Searches
1. What is SOSL?
SOSL allows users to search multiple Salesforce objects at once based on text, keywords, or partial matches. It’s useful when you don’t know the exact record location and need a quick global search.
Key Features of SOSL:
✅ Multi-Object Search – Finds data in multiple objects with a single query.
✅ Fuzzy Matching – Returns records even with partial matches.
✅ Efficient & Fast – Uses Salesforce’s full-text search index for speed.
✅ Limited to Fields with Search Indexing – Works best on Name, Email, and custom fields with search enabled.
2. SOSL vs. SOQL – Key Differences
| Feature | SOSL (Search) | SOQL (Query) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Searches across multiple objects | Queries a single object at a time |
| Search Type | Finds text-based records | Retrieves structured data |
| Wildcard Support | Uses FIND 'John*' for partial matches | No wildcard support in WHERE clause |
| Performance | Faster for large text searches | Better for structured queries |
| Best Used For | Finding records without knowing exact locations | Retrieving specific records with conditions |
3. Writing a Basic SOSL Query in Apex
Example: Searching for a Contact by Name
Explanation:
✔ FIND 'John' → Searches for “John” in indexed fields.
✔ IN ALL FIELDS → Searches across all standard and custom fields.
✔ RETURNING Contact(Id, Name, Email) → Returns matching Contacts.
✔ searchResults[0] → Stores results as a list of SObjects.
4. Advanced SOSL Queries
🔹 Searching Multiple Objects at Once
✔ Searches for "Acme Corp" in the Name fields of Accounts and Contacts.
🔹 Using Wildcards in SOSL
✔ Finds all Contacts whose name starts with “Mark”.
🔹 Searching Specific Fields
✔ Searches for the term "support" only in Email fields of the Case object.
5. Best Practices for SOSL Queries
✅ Use Specific Search Terms – Avoid generic words like “test”.
✅ Limit Fields in RETURNING Clause – Fetch only the required data.
✅ Use SOSL for Large Searches, SOQL for Precise Queries.
✅ Avoid Overloading with Multiple Objects – Stick to essential objects for better performance.
✅ Ensure Fields are Searchable – Only indexed fields can be searched via SOSL.
6. When to Use SOSL Over SOQL?
🚀 Use SOSL when:
✔ Searching for a record without knowing its object.
✔ Looking for text matches across multiple objects.
✔ Searching long text fields like descriptions or case comments.
🛑 Use SOQL when:
✔ Querying a specific object with filters.
✔ Needing structured data with conditions (WHERE, ORDER BY).
✔ Fetching related records via relationships (INNER JOIN).
Conclusion
SOSL is a powerful tool for text-based searches across multiple Salesforce objects, making it ideal for global search functionalities. By using SOSL efficiently, you can improve data retrieval performance and build better search-driven applications in Salesforce.
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