---
schema_version: "1"
id: 581783232cf8a87c26aa41c0befebfb01bb50657de3b7f3ac547f9f4a66652c4
title: Process Formula Limitations
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/process_criteria_formula.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.process_criteria_formula.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 0817e9333426eeba635079821a0ba86b1bc71ab21a5a6f7688a2ed04a9a0b14a
description: Formulas that are used as conditions in a criteria node have some limitations. If a process contains an invalid formula, you can't save or activate the process.
products:
  - Flow Builder
  - Salesforce Platform
release: "264"
---
# Process Formula Limitations

Formulas that are used as conditions in a criteria node have some limitations. If a process contains an invalid formula, you can't save or activate the process.

### Required Editions

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small edition"><colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody><tr class=""><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: both Salesforce Classic (<a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.overview_edition_lex_only.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">not available in all orgs</a>) and Lightning Experience</td></tr><tr class="" id="process_criteria_formula__d3130e343"><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: <span id="process_criteria_formula__d3130e347"><a name="process_criteria_formula__d3130e347"></a><strong>Essentials</strong>, <strong>Professional</strong>, <strong>Enterprise</strong>, <strong>Performance</strong>, <strong>Unlimited</strong>, and <strong>Developer</strong> Editions</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

![Important](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-platform_automation-264-0-0-production-enus/60568438-ec7e-4665-acd1-7c80dcbe60d5/images/icon_important.png)

Important Support and updates for Process Builder have ended as of December 31, 2025. This means that support won't be provided for any process and bugs in the Process Builder product won't be fixed. See [Workflow Rules & Process Builder End of Support](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=001096524&type=1&language=en_US).

After December 31, 2025, existing processes continue to run, and you can activate, deactivate, and edit them; however, we recommend using Flow Builder. To migrate existing processes, plan your [switch to Flow Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_migrate_to_flow_learning_map.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Flow Builder combines the capabilities of workflow rules and Process Builder in a single point-and-click tool, making it easier to create a triggered process. If you created triggered processes with workflow rules or Process Builder, use the Migrate to Flow tool to move them to Flow Builder. Start by migrating and testing in a sandbox environment before moving your new flows to production.") and use the [Migrate to Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_migrate_to_flow.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use the Migrate to Flow tool to convert your Process Builder processes and workflow rules into Flow Builder, including scheduled actions. The tool also supports partial migration of processes for most actions.") tool. For new automations, create flows in [Flow Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Automation reduces repetitive work and helps your team complete tasks faster and more accurately. With Flow Builder, you can build simple or complex automations, forms, and guided experiences with no code. You can add forms to Salesforce pages and Experience sites, and launch flows using buttons, record triggers, or schedules.").

All formulas that are used in a criteria node must:

- Return true or false. If the formula returns true, the associated actions are executed.
- Not contain more than 3,000 characters.
- Not contain an unsupported function.
- Reference the process trigger object for that process.
- Use the correct capitalization when referring to the process trigger object.

![Tip](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-platform_automation-264-0-0-production-enus/60568438-ec7e-4665-acd1-7c80dcbe60d5/images/icon_tip.png)

Tip Parentheses aren’t included automatically when you insert a function. Be sure to add parentheses, such as TODAY(), when building a formula.

## Unsupported Functions

If a formula in a process uses any of the following functions, the formula returns null.

- GETRECORDIDS
- IMAGE
- INCLUDE
- PARENTGROUPVAL
- PREVGROUPVAL
- REQUIRE SCRIPT
- VLOOKUP

For a complete list of operators and functions for building formulas in Salesforce, see [Formula Operators and Functions by Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_functions.htm&language=en_US).

![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-platform_automation-264-0-0-production-enus/60568438-ec7e-4665-acd1-7c80dcbe60d5/images/icon_note.png)

Note

- If your process criteria uses a formula, don’t create a formula that always evaluates to true, such as 2 < 5.
- ISCHANGED is available as both a formula function and as an operator. When it’s used as a formula function in process criteria, you can’t reference a child record’s related fields. For example, ISCHANGED isn’t supported when referencing a \[Case\].Contact.AccountId field, but it can be used when referencing \[Case\].ContactId.

#### See Also

- [Tips for Working with Picklist and Multi-Select Picklist Formula Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.tips_for_using_picklist_formula_fields.htm&language=en_US)
- [Process Builder Advanced Option Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.process_advanced_considerations.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Keep these considerations in mind when choosing advanced options.")
- [Custom Metadata Types and Process Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.custommetadatatypes_process_builder.htm&language=en_US)