Master-Detail Relationship in Salesforce

Nikita R.

Media-savvy content creator, with a curiosity for all Salesforce experiences.

Updated: Jan 13th, 2025

On a detailed level, Salesforce works with objects and fields. If we dive deeper, we learn that the Salesforce data model also works with different types of relationships.

Salesforce Object relationships are needed when you want to connect two objects in relation to each other.

So what is master-detail relationship in Salesforce and where does it fit? Well, it’s a one-to-many relationship used to link objects in Salesforce. This type of relationship is a parent-child one.

In the master-detail relationship, the master record will command the detail and subdetail data behaviors.

When you set up a two-object master-detail relationship in Salesforce, you can run processes over that entire relationship, affecting master, detail, and subdetail records.

Remember to configure a master-detail relationship before adding data to a custom object.

How to Create a Master-Detail Relationship in Salesforce?

If you are ready to create master-detail relationships in Salesforce, lookup these relationship behaviors that could occur. We have provided you with a few common ones related to deleting master-detail relationships.

When you delete a detail record, it will automatically transfer to your Recycle Bin. However, Salesforce will keep the master record as is. 

When you delete a master record, your related detail and subdetail records will also be erased.

You can restore a deleted detail record from your Recycle Bin individually.

If you restore a deleted master record, this action will also revive its related detail and subdetail records.

Be cautious with deleting detail and master records separately! You cannot restore a detail record if its master record was deleted. 

We hope to see you soon! 

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