Schema Builder is the visual data-model editor for Salesforce — drag objects, draw relationships, add fields directly from the diagram. Useful for documenting / explaining the data model and for quick edits. Most production schema work happens in Object Manager (more granular control); Schema Builder is the visual shortcut.
- Open Setup → Schema Builder
Setup gear → Quick Find: Schema Builder → Schema Builder.
- Pick objects to display
Left rail shows all objects. Tick to add to the canvas. Start with related objects (Account, Contact, Opportunity).
- Drag objects to position
Visual layout. Salesforce remembers positions per user.
- Add a Custom Field via the Elements panel
Drag a field type onto an object. Wizard prompts for label, name, type-specific details.
- Add a Custom Object via the Elements panel
Drag a Custom Object onto the canvas. Same as Object Manager → Create → Custom Object but visual.
- Add Relationships visually
Drag from one object to another to create Lookup / Master-Detail. Confirms the relationship details before saving.
- Save changes
Each change persists immediately to the metadata. No batch-save — every drag commits.
Custom Object / each Field type / Relationships.
Pick what's visible on the canvas.
Drag-to-position. Per-user.
Toggle to prevent accidental edits during reviews.
- Schema Builder commits changes immediately — there's no batch save or undo. Dragging a field creates it; you can't easily revert without separate deletion.
- Schema Builder can't do everything Object Manager does. Some advanced field properties (length validations, formula expressions) require Object Manager — Schema Builder is the simpler fast-path.
- Read-only toggle is per-user. If admins are doing a schema review, switching read-only ON prevents accidental drag-and-drop edits.