How to solve the Field Filter Validation Exception error in Salesforce

The ability to filter data has many benefits for your organization. Filters can help make your job easier, but data filtering is only as helpful as the tools you use.

Lookup filters in Salesforce provide a pretty handy way to find data. A lookup filter is a field that creates a relationship between two objects. This allows you to cross-reference two different objects in a search, which is helpful if you need to look for something specific.

For example, if you want to reserve a conference room and you need a room with a projector, you can add a “projector” lookup filter to a “meeting rooms” object, which will show you open conference rooms with a projector.

Keep on reading to learn more about how to install lookup filters and how to ensure they work correctly.

How to add a lookup filter

In this example, we’re going to install a lookup filter for a case object, so users can cross-reference a case object with a contact object.

  1. Go to Setup Home and open the Object Manager tab.
Clicking on the Object Manager in the Setup Home Screen in Salesforce
  1. Click Case.
Clicking on the Case Label Under the Object Manager in Salesforce
  1. Click Fields & Relationships.
Clicking on the Fields & Relationships Tab Under the Object Manager
  1. Click Contact Name.
Clicking on the Contact Name Field Under the Fields & Relationships Tab
  1. Click Edit.
Clicking on the Edit Button From the Contact Name Field
  1. Under Lookup Filter, click Show Filter Settings.
Clicking on Show Filter Settings Under Lookup Filter Field
  1. Click the magnifying glass icon to specify your lookup filter criteria.
Clicking on the Magnifying Glass Icon Under the Lookup Filter Field
  1. For this example, we’re going to select Contact Name and Account ID, and then click the Insert button.
Selecting Contact Name and then Account ID and Clicking on the Insert Button
  1. Set up your filter criteria. Under Operator, select equals. Under Value/Field, select Field, then select Case: Account ID.
Clicking on Equals Under Operator, Selecting Field from the Dropdown Under Value/Field and Selecting Case: Account ID
  1. Repeat the process to insert a field. Select Case, then Account ID, and click Insert.
Selecting Case, Account ID and then Clicking on Insert From the Insert Field Window
  1. Repeat the process for the rest of your filter criteria. Make sure you select Required for the Filter Type.
Checking the Required Button Next to the Filter Type Field Under Lookup Filter
  1. Click Save.
Clicking on the Save Button Under the Lookup Filter Field

Now, you have a lookup filter that ties two objects together. Let’s check out some nuances to lookup filters.

Error messages

While lookup filters are great, they aren’t without issues. One that may occur is the Field Filter Validation Exception error message. This can happen when you change an object without changing your lookup filters to match or when you use a lookup filter for a field that’s been deleted.

How to solve the Field Filter Validation Exception error

Check out your lookup filters to see what’s going on. Are any lookup filters incorrectly applied to your object? Let’s see out how to do that:

  1. Go to the Object Manager tab.
Clicking on Object Manager in the Setup Home Screen of Salesforce
  1. Select the object containing the lookup filters you want to check.
Selecting the CaseClone Object that Contains the Lookup Filters
  1. Go to Fields & Relationships.
Clicking on the Fields & Relationships Tab Under the Object Manager
  1. Look for the field you’re having trouble with, and open the dropdown to the right to edit it.
Clicking on the Edit Option From the Dropdown of CaseClone Field Under ObjectManager
  1. Take a look at the filter criteria to ensure your modifications don’t interfere with it. Make any necessary changes.

Installing lookup filters is a great method to cross-reference objects in a data search. However, be sure to double check that your filters are applied correctly to avoid getting an error message. Happy data filtering!

Photo by cottonbro studio

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AUTHOR
Michaela is a content writer and technical writer specializing in SaaS and healthcare products. She co-authored Jotform for Beginners 1 and 2 and writes product tutorials, help guides, and blog posts all about how to use Jotform’s products. Michaela’s background as a technical writer has left her with a love of conveying complex information in the simplest way possible. You can reach Michaela through her contact form.

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