Salesforce for Outlook is the legacy desktop sync client connecting Microsoft Outlook to Salesforce. Salesforce has retired this for Outlook 365 / Mac in favor of Outlook Integration + Einstein Activity Capture. Some legacy on-prem Outlook installs still use it.
- Confirm whether your org still uses Salesforce for Outlook
Salesforce retired this client for most editions. Check Setup → Salesforce for Outlook Configurations. If absent, your org has migrated.
- Open Setup → Salesforce for Outlook Configurations
Setup gear → Quick Find: Salesforce for Outlook → Salesforce for Outlook Configurations.
- Click New Configuration
Configurations define which users sync, what objects, what fields.
- Set Configuration Name, Description, and Active
Per-team configurations are common.
- Pick Assigned Users / Profiles
Multi-pick. Users in this list use this configuration.
- Configure object syncing
Contacts: Salesforce → Outlook only / both ways / etc. Events: similar. Each direction is configurable.
- Save and distribute the desktop installer
Users download the Salesforce for Outlook installer; configurations apply automatically once they connect.
Outlook → Salesforce / Salesforce → Outlook / Both.
Which Outlook folders sync to Salesforce.
When the same record changes both sides — Outlook wins / Salesforce wins / Last Modified wins.
Users can override defaults via the Salesforce for Outlook desktop client.
- Salesforce for Outlook is being retired. Salesforce strongly recommends migrating to Outlook Integration + Einstein Activity Capture. New deployments should use the modern stack.
- The desktop client requires a Windows machine. Mac and Linux users have no Salesforce for Outlook option — they need Outlook Integration via the web add-in.
- Sync conflicts can produce surprising data. Always set a clear Conflict Resolution policy; default Last Modified Wins is fine for most cases.