---
schema_version: "1"
id: 57870bee7168f2f69b898f0b2972b4d3a95597cda1d33ea15119a190b0ed87d2
title: Convert Qualified Leads
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/sales/264-0-0/leads_convert.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.leads_convert.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 879c3d3deb4d7d17387eeae0d1b8920f95c8fa3a76c1990ab4b44186da0083a7
description: Keep the sales process moving when you qualify a lead and then convert it to a contact. Relate that contact to either an existing account in Salesforce, or an account that you create. And if the lead you’re converting results in a deal that looks promising, create an opportunity record at the same time.
products:
  - Sales Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Convert Qualified Leads

Keep the sales process moving when you qualify a lead and then convert it to a contact. Relate that contact to either an existing account in Salesforce, or an account that you create. And if the lead you’re converting results in a deal that looks promising, create an opportunity record at the same time.

### 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: Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience</td></tr><tr class=""><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: <strong>Starter</strong>, <strong>Essentials</strong>, <strong>Group</strong>, <strong>Professional</strong>, <strong>Enterprise</strong>, <strong>Performance</strong>, <strong>Unlimited</strong>, <strong>Pro Suite</strong>, and <strong>Developer</strong> Editions with Sales</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small permission">
        <colgroup>
          <col style="width:50%">
          <col style="width:50%">
        </colgroup>
        <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
          <tr class="">
            <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="2" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;" id="d35526e88">User Permissions
              Needed</th>
          </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">To convert a lead:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">
              <p>Create and Edit on leads, accounts, contacts</p>
              <p>AND</p>
              <p style="margin-bottom:0;">Convert
                Leads</p>
            </td>

          </tr>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">To relate the converted lead to a new opportunity:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">Create on opportunities</td>

          </tr>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">To relate the converted lead to an existing opportunity:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">Edit on opportunities </td>

          </tr>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">To avoid creating duplicate records when converting leads:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d35526e88 ">Require Validation for Converted Leads</td>

          </tr>
        </tbody>
      </table>

 [![Watch Video Demo](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sales-sales_core-264-0-0-production-enus/3c339c40-ca6c-49ba-9c6e-684be7a55f80/resources-global/_corporate/images/play_btn.png) Watch a Demo](https://salesforce.vidyard.com/watch/gKjoNI_n5O9WfYpqE_p3Xg) (English only)

When you convert leads to contacts or accounts, the process sometimes creates duplicate records. If so, we show you a warning. Custom warnings set up by your administrator don’t appear during lead conversion. When you begin to convert a lead, possible matches appear based on matching rules using standard fields. When you click **Convert**, additional matches can appear based on matching rules using custom fields. How these duplicate records are handled depends on how your Salesforce admin has set up Apex Lead Convert and Duplicate Management. For example, your administrator can require that you resolve the duplicates before you finish converting. If your admin has created any cross-object duplicate rules, they aren't triggered during lead conversion.

You can’t reverse a lead conversion. After the conversion, the lead record is no longer searchable, unless your admin assigned you the View and Edit Converted Leads permission. The new account, contact, or opportunity record created from the converted lead is searchable. In Lightning Experience, if your admin assigns you the View and Edit Converted :eads permission, both the converted lead record and the new record created from the conversion are searchable. However, you can’t view or edit the converted lead record from the search results page.

![Tip](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sales-sales_core-264-0-0-production-enus/3c339c40-ca6c-49ba-9c6e-684be7a55f80/images/icon_tip.png)

Tip You can also delete converted lead records via the API, or tools that use the API. Delete converted lead records in bulk by using [Mass Delete Records](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.admin_massdelete.htm&type=5&language=en_US) available in Setup, or [Data Loader](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.dataLoader.meta/dataLoader/performing_mass_deletes.htm). To indicate converted leads, set the Converted criteria to equals 1. Be sure to review [Considerations for Deleting Leads](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.leads_del_considerations.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Understand what happens to the records associated with the leads you delete individually or in bulk. Identify who can delete converted leads.") before deleting any leads.

When converting a lead, attached files and notes are attached to the contact, account, and opportunity records you associate with the converted lead. If you use Sales Engagement, the lead’s completed cadence tasks don’t appear on the Activity Timeline of the new contact, account, or opportunity.

1. In a lead record, select to convert the lead.
2. Enter a name for an account that you’re creating, or select an existing account.
3. Salesforce Classic only: If you update a person account, select the option to overwrite the lead source in the person account with the value from the lead.
4. Select a contact, or enter a name for a contact that you’re creating.
5. Enter a name for an opportunity that you’re creating, or, in Lightning Experience, select an existing opportunity. Up to 20 matching opportunities appear in the list.
6. Convert the lead.
7. Optionally, create a follow-up task.

![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sales-sales_core-264-0-0-production-enus/3c339c40-ca6c-49ba-9c6e-684be7a55f80/images/icon_note.png)

Note Some long-time Salesforce customers still use an older lead convert process built with PLSQL (Procedural Language for SQL) instead of Apex. If your org uses Lightning Experience and the old lead convert process, the convert window contains fewer options. To use the newest lead conversion window, your org must have enabled Apex Lead Convert. With its increased capability, flexibility, and efficiency, the newest lead convert window is a great reason to make the switch to Apex Lead Convert. To use Apex Lead Convert, [review this knowledge article,](https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=Enabling-Use-Apex-Lead-Convert&language=en_US&type=1) and then contact Salesforce Customer Support.

#### See Also

- [Considerations for Converting Leads](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.leads_notes.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Learn what happens to qualified leads when you convert them to accounts, contacts, and opportunities.")
- [Troubleshoot Lead Conversion](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.leads_convert_correct_issues.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "If a lead doesn’t convert, try these tips to correct the issue.")
- [Considerations for Deleting Leads](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.leads_del_considerations.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Understand what happens to the records associated with the leads you delete individually or in bulk. Identify who can delete converted leads.")