# Winter '21 Abridged --- The [Salesforce Discord Collective](https://join.sfxd.org) Presents: **[THE WINTER 21 RELEASE NOTES - ABRIDGED](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/314860664885870592/660832931354509322/final_5e08a63309a3c50014a495f7_895504.mp4)** By reading these release notes, you forfeit your place to Dreamforce this year in favour of an SFXD member. Oh wait… --- **[CRITICAL STUFF](https://www.criticalcare.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/covid-19.jpg)** - [Guest User](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_lc_restrict_apex_authenticated_users.htm) [Nerfed to hell](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_lc_restrict_apex_guest_users.htm), literally unplayable. May break Aura/LWC customizations. - [Email RefId Nuked, now uses Header](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_email_to_case.htm). Retrocompatibility guaranteed, but if you abused RefId in the past with formulas and such, dis [Bad News™](https://trinities.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/oh-noes-450x299.jpg). - [Dynamic Forms](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_lab_dynamic_forms_ga.htm) Now GA. It’s critical because mid-term it means Page Layouts gonna be retired. (As always, this is [wild speculation](https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/analysis-cartoon-business.jpg) but we’re often right). - Flow Engine now [API versioned](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_extend_runtime_versioning.htm). No more critical updates, better control. Yay. Probably [Why most Updates are Postponed](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_release_updates.htm) **GENERAL STUFF** - [A rather discreet note](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_general_cross_cloud_c360_guides.htm) highlights the creation of [Customer 360 Guides and Solution Kits](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/guides) which contain [context-driven architectural charts](https://resources.help.salesforce.com/images/99bb25e9049d5841348c80c18a408e98.png) and [designs considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=icx_b2c_abandonedcart_sdc_resources.htm&type=5). [Now THAT’s a great resource](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/676551711678005283/761308096790003722/seal-of-approval-seal.png) - [MFA getting easier](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_security_mfa_assistant.htm) which is a good thing for Enterprise software - [Recycle Bin Search Is Being Removed](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_recycle_bin_search_removal.htm) due to performance issues. Probably because it’s not stored in the same DB in the backend which isn’t optimized the same way as [the other tables are](http://www.developerforce.com/media/ForcedotcomBookLibrary/Force.com_Multitenancy_WP_101508.pdf) - [Optimizer gets new Security Evaluation points](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_general_optimizer_new_features.htm), great what with all the changes happening lately - Orders continue their pursuit of not sucking as much [by now following the rest of the platform](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_sales_features_core_order.htm) re:triggering automations on save. I still hate them though. [So Feverishly](https://www.youtube.com/embed/l5qr_NkAbz4?start=19&end=24) - Reps can now let email recipients choose from [offered meeting times](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_sales_productivity_email_IFT.htm) and it’s not limited to Lightning Scheduler woooo - Salesforce now has an [HTML Email Builder](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_sales_productivity_email_ETB.htm) woooo - [Performance Review](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_lab_page_analysis.htm) For LEX Pages =D - [Profile Management](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_profiles_perms_profile_filtering.htm) got a [few](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_profiles_perms_view_all_profiles.htm) [updates](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_profiles_perms_restricted_profile_cloning.htm) that make Profile handling more secure. - [Perm Set Groups for PE](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_profiles_perms_psg_pe.htm), further solidifying that the full move to Perm Sets is happening at some point down the line **SALESFORCE CORE** - [Submit For Approval button now supports conditional display options](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_general_choose_show_submit_button.htm) - [Kanban view shows you Changed Records](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_sales_features_core_opportunities_deal_motion.htm), a nice QoL Improvement - Salesforce now gives you Prebuilt [Flows](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_prebuilt_flows.htm), [Macros](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_prebuilt_macros.htm), and [Quick Texts](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_prebuilt_quicktexts.htm) so Agents can be more productive - [Agents can now transfer Skill-based Omnichannel assigned items](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_omnichannel_transfer_chat.htm) - Fields can now be [auto-added to existing Custom Report Types](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_rd_auto_add_custom_fields.htm) on creation (checkbox in the field creation wizard, defaults TRUE after activation). Good for lazy admins, less awesome for admins that do custom sections. - [Notifications support Page Reference Navigation](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_mobile_notifications_pageref.htm) I can’t wait for [FRIDAY FRIDAY GOTTA GET DOWN ON FRIDAY](https://salesforce.bessereau.eu) **FLOWS** - [Brand Name Screen Flows now redundant](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_extend_multiple_objects.htm), [Generics](https://www.fda.gov/media/109199/download) now on market - [Before Delete](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_trigger_flow.htm) operation now available for Triggered Flows. Seems to be for related record updates more than anything. Does not replace APEX BeforeDelete Validations. - OCD Users rejoice - no more 1 pixel weird lines with [AutoLayout](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_autolayout_mode.htm) - After a meditation session in the ancient caverns at the top of mount Workflow, the team decided to [Allow evaluation only on specific changes](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_record_triggered.htm), also on [decision nodes](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_trigger_specific_change.htm). Sizable performance increase. - [All Flow Elements now support AND, OR, and other operators](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_optimize_rich_criteria.htm) - Various QoL Improvements with [Record Traversing In Triggered Flows](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_easily_traverse.htm) and [Global variables without Formulas](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_global_variables.htm), as well as [trigger type column in Flow Lists](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_mgmnt_triggered_flows.htm) - Yo I heard you like LWC so we put [LWC in your LWC](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_extend_custom_property_editor_lwc.htm) so you can LWC while you LWC LWC /\* This release got a few very anticipated updates for testing and reproduction. Enterprise users rejoice \*/ - [Meet The Spy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR4N5OhcY9s). You can now [Impersonate](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_debug_other_user.htm) Users while debugging in Sandbox. - SF Maps team hired to work on Flow builder, releases [Routing view on debug](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_debug_autolaunched.htm). Rated 0 stars on google play “Won’t direct me to bakery”. - Flow Errors now [send you to where the error is](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_fbuilder_directed_error.htm) For anyone who cares, we still don’t recommend replacing all your PBs with triggered Flows. We do recommend starting to look into how you *will* do this in the next releases though. It’s coming fast. **[COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCE CLOUD](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_rebrand.htm)** - Customize Communities with Code Settings for [Embedded Chat](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_embedded_service_invite_communities.htm) and Channel Menu - Better Page Management with [custom page nesting and url edition](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_page_actions.htm) - [Record Detail Based Audiences](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_record_based_criteria.htm) in what is low-key one of the best things to happen to communities. Fully dynamic audiences per records based on criteria. Holy crap. - External Users [can now switch Accounts](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_ema_access.htm) and manage other users. Seems to be related to an [old B2B commerce feature](https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=b2b_comm_lex_external_managed_accounts.htm&type=5) - [CSP settings enforced for inline scripts](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_csp.htm) - [BYO Communities LWC pilot](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_networks_developers_lwc.htm) getting some nice updates - if you’re planning a BYO comm, probably wait until this is GA or request pilot before deploying an already deprecated Aura one **EINSTEIN** - [T-800 joke goes here; something about an army ?](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/314860664885870592/750359588515217549/unknown.png?width=2038&height=1366) Einstein Bots got [easier to setup for newbs](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_einstein_bots_template.htm) and [give](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_einstein_bots_custom_context_variables.htm) [you](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_einstein_bots_input_recommender_beta.htm) [MOAR POWER](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg14jNbBb-8) when automating stuff - [Predictions](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_einstein_recommendation_builder.htm) and [Recommendations](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_einstein_recommendation_builder.htm) [for you and for me and the entire human race](https://youtu.be/fzDft0DZRUw?t=113). **DEVELOPMENT** - LWC now has a [cache busting function](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_lwc_modules.htm) when you wire data from Lightning Data Service adapters. Should be useful in replacing the refreshApex function which was [a little confusing](https://salesforce.stackexchange.com/questions/251259/working-with-the-refreshapex-feature-in-lwc) to use. - [SLDS CSS HOOKS](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_slds_styling_hooks.htm). Hooks is not an acronym here. - Lightning Scheduler now [supports PE](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_ls_ext_cal_write.htm) on events creation or changes, also [provides interface](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_ls_ext_cal_read.htm) to fetch external calendar availability. - Embedded Chat now [supports server-side code injection](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_embedded_service_code_settings.htm) so you don’t modify your webpages uselessly. - You can now [Patch Salesforce](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_callouts_patch.htm). No, not that way. - Scratch orgs pull a Ditto and now clone the [Shape of an Org](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_scratch_orgs_shape.htm) - You can now [nullify your nullpointerexception](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_SafeNavigationOperator.htm) - Platform Events [now more reportable](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_platform_events_monitor_usage_metrics.htm) and now support [APEX callouts](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_platform_events_publish_immediate_limit.htm) anywhere within an existing transaction cycle by using Publish Immediately PEvt. - [Custom Notifications](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_send_custom_notifications_from_apex.htm) can be sent from APEX - [Apex now has runtime detection](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_Runtime_Detection.htm). This can be used to detect if something isFuture() / isQueueable() etc, it should scale much better. Combined with new [sObject Error Methods](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_apex_trackErrors.htm) this makes debugging better. **DOGELAND** - [:doge:](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/314860664885870592/660826873252675614/dogesf.png) [YOU CAN PUT IN-APP GUIDANCE ON EDIT AND NEW Annn…](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_iag_new_pagetypes.htm) oh wait it’s part of mytrailhead, which is [expensive](https://www.salesforce.com/editions-pricing/mytrailhead/), despite being listed as a lightning experience thing. Oh great. Actually since they made it energy-consuming to figure out what’s paid or not [I deem the entire Lightning Experience Engagement section worthy of a Doge award](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrDSqODtEFM). - [:doge:](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/314860664885870592/660826873252675614/dogesf.png) When [Bypassing Security Fully](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_flow_mgmnt_system_context.htm) becomes Standard Operating Procedure you probably should take a moment to wonder how we ended up here. - [:doge:](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/314860664885870592/660826873252675614/dogesf.png) Someone at the email team decided to [up the size limit](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_sales_productivity_create_larger_emails.htm) except [the](https://blog.mailtrap.io/email-size/) [other providers](https://www.outlook-apps.com/maximum-email-size/) won’t care, meaning you’ll probably get bounced emails… ??? - [:doge:](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/314860664885870592/660826873252675614/dogesf.png) No one seems to know if Salesforce Anywhere is stable, or useful, or what it does. Not the best product launch I’ve seen, though the [product itself seems ok I guess](https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=rn_anywhere_sept_2020.htm&type=5) ? **OTHER** - [:100:](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1285/0147/products/sign2-061a_9561a05f-3c51-40f4-85ac-fc3a62fcf047.png?v=1527227145) I don’t want to do a whole anti-doge section but [this](https://trailblazer.salesforce.com/ideaView?id=08730000000Brfa) is how you communicate a feature pull. It’s precise, apologetic, to the point. Can’t be done better. Kudos. - [Translation Imports](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_globalization_single_export_per_user.htm) [suck less now](https://releasenotes.docs.salesforce.com/en-us/winter21/release-notes/rn_forcecom_globalization_translation_import_email.htm) [Someone went spelunking](https://cacm.acm.org/system/assets/0000/0096/081001_CACM_code_spelunking.large.jpg?1476779414&1228418998). - Seriously Release Notes team can you stop putting ads in the release notes? It gets tiring. You have a marketing blog to be fake-happy about features. --- This abridged version was graciously written up by the **SF Discord** We have a nice wiki: [https://wiki.sfxd.org/](https://wiki.sfxd.org/) And a linkedin page: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sfxd/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sfxd/) Join the ~2500 members in the most active chat-based community around Salesforce these parts of the web at [http://join.sfxd.org/](http://join.sfxd.org/) ---