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Katherine SteadKatherine Stead 

Workflow and Email alert using TODAY

I'm trying to create a workflow rule that sends out an email alert whenever a specifici field (Converted Date) has Todays' date. The chances are nothing will have been edited on the Account.  But I need an email alert to go out when that date is todays' date.  When a recorded is created or subsequently meets criteria. 

in the Rule Criteria:
Account: Converted Date EQUALS TODAY

is this correct; how would I get the email alert to fire?

thanks
 
Best Answer chosen by Katherine Stead
Jason Curtis NBSFDGJason Curtis NBSFDG
Hi, Katherine, to clarify, trying to understand your question:
-on the account record there is a field called converted date, that field could be populated with a set date ahead of time. i.e. on June 6th I populated that field to Oct. 29th
-when it is Oct. 29th you want an email to fire off, nothing else in that record could have changed?
In that case you want a time depended workflow, not one that checks the date, see here for help on that feature: https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=workflow_time_action_considerations.htm&language=en_US (https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=workflow_time_action_considerations.htm&language=en_US)

Or did I get it completely wrong?


 

All Answers

Jason Curtis NBSFDGJason Curtis NBSFDG
Hi, Katherine, to clarify, trying to understand your question:
-on the account record there is a field called converted date, that field could be populated with a set date ahead of time. i.e. on June 6th I populated that field to Oct. 29th
-when it is Oct. 29th you want an email to fire off, nothing else in that record could have changed?
In that case you want a time depended workflow, not one that checks the date, see here for help on that feature: https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=workflow_time_action_considerations.htm&language=en_US (https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=workflow_time_action_considerations.htm&language=en_US)

Or did I get it completely wrong?


 
This was selected as the best answer
James LoghryJames Loghry
You can create a workflow rule that fires when a record is created or updated to meet a criteria.  You can even use the formula of IF(true,true,true) for that criteria, guaranteeing that it runs.

Next, you'll have that workflow rule fire off a time dependent action.  That action will fire on the ConvertedDate field (either 0 days before or 0 days after).  

That should get you what you're looking for.
Katherine SteadKatherine Stead
thanks everyone; ok so it looks like the time dependant workflow is the way to go.  is it better to do the formula?  or am I ok to just put converted date equals TODAY?
Jason yes that's exactly what I was trying to say; thanks!
Katherine SteadKatherine Stead
ok think I got it and thanks for the help.

criteria:
Account: Converted Date not equal to null
then created a time-dependent workflow
0 Days after account converted date
email alert sent.

thanks again!  if I've missed something please let me know.
 
James LoghryJames Loghry
Looks good.  To test it out, you could always create a dummy account record, set the ConvertedDate to today and see if the email fires.
Jason Curtis NBSFDGJason Curtis NBSFDG
Glad it worked out for you, workflow is a powerful tool (and being refined in the still-beta Salesforce Process Builder coming out next year), mastering it can really help streamline your business (and add value to your position). If you are intersted in learning more Salesforce has put out a new training program called Trailhead, it takes you through the platform basics and then focuses on declartive development (all of the point and click stuff) and then coding. Link here: https://developer.salesforce.com/trailhead
And when you get a chance, can you mark this question solved? Thanks.
Katherine SteadKatherine Stead
thanks Jason; I've done many, many workflows but for some reason this was stumping me.  I'm happy to report it's working!  I will never forget this now..:)  Thanks for all your help.
I've passed on the trailhead information to our group as well; thanks!

Katherine