Feature Licenses are per-user flags that unlock specific Salesforce features beyond the base User License — Marketing User, Knowledge User, Service Cloud User, Flow User, Mobile User. Some Feature Licenses are checkboxes on the User record; others are Permission Set Licenses (PSLs) granted via assignments. Either way, gates access to gated capabilities.
- Identify which Feature License is needed
Setup → Company Information shows licensed features. Match feature requirement to license: Knowledge user → Knowledge User feature; Marketing user → Marketing User feature; Flow user → Flow User feature.
- For checkbox-style Feature Licenses: edit User record
Setup → Users → click into a User → Edit → tick the relevant Feature License checkbox (Marketing User, Knowledge User, etc.).
- For Permission Set License-style: assign the PSL
Setup → Permission Set Licenses → click into the PSL → Manage Assignments → Add → pick users.
- Verify license usage doesn't exceed cap
Setup → Company Information shows used vs total per Feature License. Hitting the cap blocks new assignments.
- Confirm the feature now works
Login as the user (or Login As) → verify the gated feature is accessible.
Manage Campaigns / Campaign Influence.
Edit Knowledge articles.
Service Cloud Console + Cases enhanced.
Salesforce mobile app.
Run Flows / Process Builder.
- Feature Licenses are separate from User Licenses and Permission Sets. A Salesforce User License is the floor; Feature Licenses unlock specific capabilities; Permission Sets grant the actual permissions to use them. All three layer together.
- Some Feature Licenses are PSLs in modern orgs, replacing the old checkbox approach. Salesforce gradually migrated — newer orgs see fewer checkboxes and more PSLs.
- Cap exhaustion is silent. The 'Add' fails with a generic error when you've hit the Feature License cap — check Setup → Company Information to confirm you're not over.