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Full User License entry
How-to guide

How to assign a User License when creating a user

You do not create a User License directly; you select one when you create the user record. The license you choose at this step sets that user's access ceiling, so confirm the role first. Create a user in Setup under Users.

By Dipojjal Chakrabarti · Founder & Editor, Salesforce DictionaryLast updated Jun 16, 2026

You do not create a User License directly; you select one when you create the user record. The license you choose at this step sets that user's access ceiling, so confirm the role first. Create a user in Setup under Users.

  1. Open the New User screen

    In Setup, go to Users then Users, and click New User. For several people at once, use Add Multiple Users instead.

  2. Enter identity details

    Fill in the name, alias, email, and username. The username must be unique across all Salesforce orgs and is formatted like an email address.

  3. Choose the User License

    Pick the User License that matches the role, for example Salesforce for a full CRM user or Salesforce Platform for an internal-app-only user. This selection filters which Profiles you can pick next.

  4. Select a Profile and save

    Choose a Profile compatible with that license, set role and other options, then save. Salesforce sends the activation email so the user can set a password.

User Licenserequired

The base license that sets the user's access ceiling; it controls which Profiles and features are available.

Profilerequired

The Profile must be compatible with the chosen User License; the picklist filters to matching Profiles only.

Usernamerequired

A globally unique login in email format, required for every user record.

Emailrequired

A valid address that receives the activation message and system notifications.

Gotchas
  • The User License you pick limits the Profiles you can select; a Profile built for Salesforce will not appear for a Platform user.
  • You cannot save a user if no seats of the chosen license type remain; check the count on Company Information first.
  • Switching a user's License later is restricted and often requires deactivation and recreation, which breaks record ownership and history.

See the full User License entry

User License includes the definition, worked example, deep dive, related terms, and a quiz.