Workflow Outbound Message
A workflow action in Salesforce that sends a SOAP XML message containing record field data to a specified external web service endpoint when the workflow rule triggers, enabling real-time outbound integration.
Definition
A workflow action in Salesforce that sends a SOAP XML message containing record field data to a specified external web service endpoint when the workflow rule triggers, enabling real-time outbound integration.
In plain English
“A Workflow Outbound Message sends a SOAP XML message containing record field data to an external web service when a workflow rule triggers. It's a simple way to notify external systems about Salesforce record changes. Legacy; modern approaches use Platform Events or Flow callouts.”
Worked example
Esher Trucking's legacy workflow rule on the Order object fires when an order is approved: it sends a Workflow Outbound Message to the company's ERP system at https://erp.eshertrucking.com/api/orders. The message is an XML SOAP envelope containing the order's record fields, sent automatically with no Apex written. The ERP receives it, creates a corresponding ERP order, and acknowledges back. Modern integrations might use Platform Events or Flow callouts for the same job, with better error handling and retries. The Workflow Outbound Message is a relic of pre-Flow Salesforce - still functional, but a candidate for modernization.
Why Workflow Outbound Message matters
A Workflow Outbound Message is a workflow action in Salesforce that sends a SOAP XML message containing record field data to a specified external web service endpoint when the workflow rule triggers, providing a declarative way to notify external systems about record changes.
Outbound messages are a legacy integration pattern. Modern Salesforce uses Platform Events for real-time event-driven integration, Change Data Capture for data change streaming, and Flow callouts for HTTP-based integration. Outbound messages remain functional but should not be the choice for new integration work.
How organizations use Workflow Outbound Message
Maintains legacy outbound messages while building new integrations with Platform Events.
Recommends Platform Events or Flow callouts over outbound messages for new work.
Uses modern event-driven patterns for new external notifications.
Trust & references
Straight from the source - Salesforce's reference material on Workflow Outbound Message.
- Workflow Outbound MessagesSalesforce Help
Test your knowledge
Q1. What is a Workflow Outbound Message?
Q2. What format does it use?
Q3. What's the modern alternative?
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