Salesforce Flow has grown into one of the most important tools for automation. In the past, one major limitation of Flow was that it worked only inside Salesforce and could not talk to outside systems. This gap made many admins and developers depend on custom Apex code. But with the arrival of HTTP Callouts in Flow, things have changed. Now Salesforce Flow can easily send or receive data from external systems without writing any code.
In this guide, we will explain what HTTP Callouts are, how they work in Salesforce Flow, and why they are useful for modern businesses. We will also look at important updates, simple setup examples, and ways organizations can benefit from using this feature.
What Are HTTP Callouts in Salesforce Flow?
An HTTP Callout is a request made from Salesforce Flow to an external system. It can either pull data into Salesforce or push data out to another platform. Normally, such requests needed Apex code, but now they can be configured directly inside Flow Builder. Salesforce automatically creates the background components, so admins can achieve what once required development skills.
In simple words, HTTP Callouts allow Salesforce Flow to interact with the outside world. This means customer data, product details, shipping updates, or even third-party APIs can all be connected to your automation.
Evolution of HTTP Callouts in Flow
HTTP Callouts are a relatively new feature in Salesforce Flow. They first appeared in the Spring ’23 release as a beta feature with only GET requests. Over the next few releases, Salesforce expanded support to POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. With each update, HTTP Callouts have become more powerful and flexible, giving admins the ability to work with more complex business processes.
Setting Up HTTP Callouts in Flow
To set up HTTP Callouts, a few technical steps are required, but Salesforce makes the process simple with guided screens.
The first step is creating a Named Credential. This tells Salesforce which external system you want to connect to and provides details like the URL and authentication method. Once this is ready, you can use it in your Flow.
The next step is choosing the Flow type. Depending on the use case, it can be a Screen Flow, Record-Triggered Flow, or Autolaunched Flow. Inside the Flow, you add the HTTP Callout action, select the method (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, or DELETE), and provide the required parameters.
Salesforce automatically builds the background code and prepares the request. Once configured, the response data can be used in the Flow to update records, show messages, or trigger further automation.
Example of Using HTTP Callouts
Imagine you want to check the delivery status of an order inside Salesforce. Normally, this information is stored in an external shipping system. With an HTTP Callout, you can connect Salesforce to that system and pull real-time updates.
Here’s how it works:
When a user opens the order record, a Flow makes an HTTP GET request to the shipping API using the Named Credential. The system responds with the current delivery status, which is then displayed in Salesforce. This saves users from switching between multiple platforms and gives them accurate, up-to-date information instantly.
This example is simple, but it shows the real value of HTTP Callouts—bringing external data into Salesforce without extra steps or custom code.
Understanding the Technical Parts
When working with HTTP Callouts, three pieces are important:
- Named Credential – Defines the external system endpoint and authentication.
- HTTP Method – Decides what type of request you want to send (GET for data, POST to send data, PUT/PATCH for updates, DELETE to remove data).
- Response Handling – Manages the data that comes back. Salesforce structures the response so admins can use values inside the Flow easily.
Though these terms sound technical, Salesforce keeps the setup mostly click-based, so even non-developers can work with them.
Benefits of HTTP Callouts for Businesses
HTTP Callouts offer a wide range of business advantages. The biggest benefit is that they make Salesforce more connected and reduce dependency on custom code. This saves development costs and speeds up automation projects.
Some business use cases include:
- Checking stock availability in an external warehouse system.
- Validating customer addresses through a third-party API before saving records.
- Sending data to a payment gateway for processing.
- Triggering e-signature requests automatically.
- Fetching account balances or loyalty points from a banking or rewards system.
By using HTTP Callouts, organizations can make Salesforce the central hub of all operations, ensuring that users always have access to real-time information without leaving the platform.
Key Considerations for Using HTTP Callouts
While HTTP Callouts are powerful, businesses need to keep a few points in mind. Always test them in a sandbox before moving to production. Be careful with authentication and ensure that sensitive data is secure. Admins should also plan error handling, since external systems may not always respond as expected.
Salesforce also places some limits on the number of callouts that can be made per transaction, so designing flows with performance in mind is important.
Future of HTTP Callouts in Flow
As Salesforce continues to improve Flow, HTTP Callouts are expected to become even more user-friendly. With each release, debugging, error handling, and advanced configuration options are being added. For businesses, this means even stronger integration capabilities without needing complex code.
Conclusion
iBirds Services, HTTP Callouts in Salesforce Flow open up new possibilities for admins and businesses. They make it possible to connect Salesforce with almost any external system, all without writing code. Whether it’s checking shipping updates, sending payment data, or fetching product details, HTTP Callouts bring external information directly into Salesforce automation.
For organizations looking to simplify processes and boost efficiency, HTTP Callouts are a key tool in the Salesforce ecosystem. By learning and using this feature, businesses can make smarter decisions, save time, and deliver a smoother experience to their users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What are HTTP Callouts in Salesforce Flow?
HTTP Callouts are requests that let Salesforce Flow talk to other systems. They can bring data into Salesforce or send data out without writing code.
Q2. Do I need coding skills to use HTTP Callouts?
No, you don’t need to write code. Salesforce creates the needed code in the background. Admins can set up HTTP Callouts using clicks in Flow Builder.
Q3. Which HTTP methods can be used in Flow Callouts?
You can use GET to fetch data, POST to send data, PUT or PATCH to update data, and DELETE to remove data. These cover most business needs.
Q4. How can HTTP Callouts help my business?
They connect Salesforce to other platforms. For example, you can check delivery status, validate customer details, send payment info, or fetch product stock directly inside Salesforce.
Q5. Are there limits on using HTTP Callouts?
Yes, Salesforce has limits on how many callouts can be made in a single transaction. It’s important to design flows carefully and test them in a sandbox first.
Q6. Is it safe to use HTTP Callouts?
Yes, when set up correctly. Using Named Credentials ensures secure connections. Businesses should also handle errors and protect sensitive data properly.
Q7. Can I test HTTP Callouts before using them in production?
Yes, always test in a Salesforce Sandbox or Developer Org. This helps make sure the callouts work correctly and do not cause errors in live data.