Maintain Field Value Distribution with Data Mask and Seed (Beta)

The new Data Mask and Seed (beta) analyzes the existing distribution of field values across your sandbox object records during a masking job. This process makes sure that the masked data reflects the original frequency and proportion of values for each field type. Your developers can work with realistic datasets that mirror the statistical profile of your production environment while keeping sensitive information secure.

Where: This change applies to Lightning Experience in all editions.

Note Data Mask and Seed is a pilot or beta service that is subject to the Beta Services Terms at Agreements - Salesforce.com or a written Unified Pilot Agreement if executed by Customer, and applicable terms in the Product Terms Directory. Use of this pilot or beta service is at the Customer's sole discretion.

When: The new Data Mask and Seed (beta) is available for commercial customers based in the AMER region beginning on April 9, 2026. During the beta period, a single Salesforce region serves all users. When the tool becomes Generally Available, Salesforce automatically redirects users to their closest Salesforce region.

Note Because of the region redirect, masking job history from the new Data Mask and Seed’s beta period isn’t available after the tool becomes Generally Available. If you decide to retain your masking job history from the beta period, document your job results before the general availability release.

Who: The new Data Mask and Seed (beta) is available to AMER region commercial customers, but not Government Cloud customers.

Note When the new Data Mask and Seed becomes Generally Available, it will also be available to Government Cloud customers.

Why: This feature provides you with the ability to preserve the integrity of your data distributions. For example, you can maintain a specific percentage split of city values across thousands of contact records. By mimicking the original data’s characteristics, you provide your users a more accurate environment for testing and development without exposing actual field values.

Consider a scenario where the object Contact includes the City field. The distribution of City field values across all 3,700 object records is as follows: 20% have the value Tokyo, 30% have the value Athens, and 50% have the value Abu Dhabi. Data Mask and Seed maintains the sandbox’s existing 20:30:50 distribution of City field values when masking that field.

How: During the beta period, the new Data Mask and Seed doesn’t automatically bypass workflows, triggers, or validation rules. Therefore, before running a masking job, manually turn off any necessary Salesforce automations and then re-enable them after job completion. The new Data Mask and Seed (beta) is available as a native, Salesforce app that requires no installation. In the App Launcher, search for and select Data Mask and Seed (Beta).