How to Create a Validation Rule in Salesforce

Quick summary

A Salesforce validation rule lets admins enforce data quality by blocking record saves when field values fail a defined error condition formula. This step-by-step walkthrough covers everything from opening Object Manager to writing the formula and saving the rule.

Steps

1. Go to Setup in the top-right corner of Salesforce.
2. Search for Object Manager using the Quick Find box.
3. Select the object you want to enforce the rule on, such as Leads or Opportunities.
4. Find the Validation Rules section and click on it.
5. Click New to begin creating a new validation rule.
6. Start defining the rule by filling in the Label and Error Condition Formula fields.
7. Enter a clear Label for your rule, such as "Opportunity Requires Amount".
8. Select Active to make the validation rule enforceable immediately.
9. Write an Error Message that clearly tells users what went wrong when validation fails.
10. Build your Error Condition Formula using the formula builder to define the criteria that triggers the error, for example checking that Amount is filled for Closed Won opportunities.
11. Click Save to create and activate the validation rule.