--- schema_version: "1" id: 9637ab3ae632edb22052a5480a40d0f155ff3b859886f3d2ce8480db348fe0fe title: Working with the Triggering Record in Record-Triggered Flows collection: admin version: current locale: en-us portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/automate_flow_build_triggering_record.md canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_flow_build_triggering_record.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 source_site: help.salesforce.com content_type: documentation content_hash: f66e2d1d32290c046f23bec8b0a62d399c33f3daf5feb196e69b27a0318bb3d7 description: When a record triggers your flow to run, Salesforce automatically stores that record's information in the triggering record variable. This variable gives your flow instant access to all the field values from the record that triggered the flow. You can read the field values, check them, and change them. products: - Flow Builder - Salesforce Platform release: "264" --- # Working with the Triggering Record in Record-Triggered Flows When a record triggers your flow to run, Salesforce automatically stores that record's information in the triggering record variable. This variable gives your flow instant access to all the field values from the record that triggered the flow. You can read the field values, check them, and change them. ### Required Editions

## Where to Find the Triggering Record The Triggering {Record} `$Record` variable is available only in record-triggered flows and schedule-triggered flows. If you're building a different type of flow, such as a screen flow or autolaunched flow, you don't see Triggering {Record} `$Record` because there's no triggering record for those flow types. In those cases, use a Get Records element to get the records you want to work with. When configuring elements or resources in a record-triggered flow, the resource menu lists the triggering record. The record variable's API name is $Record, and the label is Triggering {Record}, where {Record} is the object of the record. For example, Triggering Contact. So, for this example, in the resource menu, you see **Triggering Contact**. To use the full record as a value click **Triggering Contact**. To use a field value on the Triggering Contact, click **Triggering Contact** and then the field. ## What Makes the Triggering Record Special The Triggering {Record} or `$Record` variable is a special type of record variable that Salesforce creates and populates automatically when a record-triggered flow runs. It contains all the field values from the triggering record. For example, you can access the Account Name, Phone, Website, or any other field through `$Record`. ## How to Use Triggering {Record} You can reference `$Record` throughout your flow to access the triggering record's field values. Here are some examples of how to use `$Record`:

Use case	Example
Read field values to decide the flow path	Use a Decision element to check if `Triggering Account > Annual Revenue` is greater than 1000000, then route high-value accounts down a different path in your flow.
Update field values directly in before-save flows	In before-save flows, use an Assignment element to change values in `Triggering {Record}`. For example, set `Triggering Quote > Status` to Approved and Salesforce automatically saves that change to the database.
Update field values in after-save flows	In after-save flows, use an Update Records element to change values in `Triggering {Record}`. For example, For How to Find Records to Update and Set Their Values, select Use the account record that triggered the flow. Then set Status to Approved.
Enforce data quality rules	When you create an opportunity, check whether `Triggering Opportunity > Amount` is greater than $50,000. If it is, automatically set `Triggering Opportunity > Priority` to High without needing to save the record again. When you save a contact, check if `Triggering Contact > Email` is blank but `Triggering Contact > Phone` has a value. Automatically set `Triggering Contact > Preferred Contact Method` to Phone.
Smart field population	When you create a lead, check if `$Record > Company` contains certain keywords. If it matches your existing account names, automatically populate `$Record > Lead Source` to Existing Customer.
Copy values to other records	Reference `Triggering Case > Owner ID` when creating related records to make sure that they have the same owner as the triggering record.
Create related records with context	When you create a case with `$Record > Priority` set to Critical, automatically create a Task assigned to the manager and include `$Record > Case Number` and `$Record > Subject` in the Task description.
Send personalized notifications	When you update a custom order record, send an email to the customer that includes `$Record > Order Number`, `$Record > Status`, and `$Record > Expected Delivery Date` so they know exactly what changed.
Use values in formulas and calculations	Calculate a discount based on `Triggering Order > Total Amount` or concatenate `Triggering Contact > First Name` and `Triggering Contact > Last Name` to create a full name.