Most points live in a Geolocation field. Here is how an admin adds one to an object so records can store coordinates and feed maps, formulas, and Apex. You create the field in Setup with the Object Manager.
- Open the object in Object Manager
In Setup, go to Object Manager and pick the object that needs a point, such as Account or a custom object. Open its Fields and Relationships area and click New.
- Choose the Geolocation field type
Select Geolocation from the data type list. This is the type that stores a latitude and longitude pair as one compound field rather than two separate number fields.
- Set label, name, and decimal places
Enter a field label and let the API name populate. Choose the number of decimal places for the coordinates, since more decimals give a more precise point but each one widens the stored value.
- Set field-level security and add to layouts
Pick which profiles can see and edit the point, then add the field to the page layouts where users enter or review location data. Save to finish.
Controls coordinate precision; higher values pinpoint a tighter spot but use a larger stored number.
Decides which profiles can view or edit the latitude and longitude on records.
Determines where the point appears for data entry, since a hidden field cannot be populated by users.
- A geolocation field counts as three custom fields against the object's field limit, not one.
- You cannot save only a latitude or only a longitude; both subfields must be filled or both left null.
- A record with no coordinates will not plot in Salesforce Maps, so pair the field with geocoding.