Related List
A section on a Salesforce record page that displays records from a related object linked through a lookup or master-detail relationship, such as Contacts on an Account or Cases on a Contact.
Definition
A section on a Salesforce record page that displays records from a related object linked through a lookup or master-detail relationship, such as Contacts on an Account or Cases on a Contact.
In plain English
“A Related List is a section on a Salesforce record page that displays records from a related object. For example, on an Account page, the Contacts related list shows all contacts linked to that account through a lookup relationship.”
Worked example
A district admin at Ferncroft Schools, a regional charter network, opens the Account record for one of the 12 schools in the network. The page shows three Related Lists configured by the Salesforce admin: Contacts (the principal, vice-principal, and 18 staff), Open Cases (4 active IT tickets), and Enrollment Records (a custom object with 580 students). Each Related List shows the linked records right on the Account page, with quick-create buttons to add a new Contact or Case without leaving the Account view. Related Lists are how the platform's relational model surfaces in the UI - every lookup or master-detail relationship in the data model becomes a visible, navigable Related List somewhere on the parent record's page.
Why Related List matters
A Related List is a section on a Salesforce record page that displays records from a related object linked through a lookup or master-detail relationship, such as Contacts on an Account or Cases on a Contact. Related lists provide context for the parent record by showing its children, enabling users to see and navigate to related data without leaving the current record page.
Related lists are foundational to Salesforce's relational data model. Without them, users would have to search for related records separately; with them, related data is right on the record page where it's needed. Mature orgs configure related lists thoughtfully, with appropriate field columns, sort order, and filters to surface the most useful related data for each context. In Lightning Experience, the Related List Single component provides more control over individual related lists.
How organizations use Related List
Configures related lists on record pages with the fields users actually need, not just the defaults.
Uses Related List Single component in Lightning to provide dedicated configuration per related list.
Treats related list configuration as part of record page UX design.
Trust & references
Straight from the source - Salesforce's reference material on Related List.
- Customize Related ListsSalesforce Help
- Work with Related Lists on Records in Lightning ExperienceSalesforce Help
Test your knowledge
Q1. What is a Related List?
Q2. How are related records linked?
Q3. What improves related list configuration in Lightning?
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