Icon configuration takes one minute. Pick deliberately because the icon shows up across the entire user experience.
- Open the custom object''s settings
Setup, Object Manager, the custom object, click Edit.
- Open Tab Style
Click the Tab Style picker. The dialog shows available SLDS Custom icons grouped by category.
- Pick an icon
Browse the categories (Animals, Buildings, Business, Education, etc.). Pick the icon that best represents the object semantically.
- Or upload a custom image
Click Create Your Own to upload a PNG or SVG. Size it appropriately (16x16 or 32x32 px).
- Save and verify
Save the object. Verify the icon appears correctly in the navigation menu, lookup dialogs, and search results.
- Test on mobile
Open the Salesforce mobile app and confirm the icon renders correctly there too.
Gotchas
- Standard object icons are fixed. Admins cannot change Account or Opportunity icons; only custom objects support icon changes.
- Custom uploaded images break the SLDS look-and-feel. Stick with SLDS Custom icons unless brand requirements demand otherwise.
- Icon background colors clash with custom Theme Builder themes occasionally. Test the combination before saving.
- Uploaded images must be appropriately sized. Oversized images render poorly at small UI scales.