# Flow types, triggers and order of execution

*Platform Administrator Study Guide · Automation · Last updated September 26, 2026 · https://certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator/automation/flow-types-and-order-of-execution*

Which flow type fits a requirement (screen, before-save, after-save, before-delete, scheduled path, schedule-triggered, autolaunched), how Flow fits the save order of execution, and how to version, secure and debug flows.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Administrator
- Exam section: Automation
- Study guide: https://certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> Describe capabilities, use cases, and configuration for Flow (screen flows, record-triggered flows, autolaunched flows, order of execution).

## What the exam expects

- Pick the flow type from the requirement: user input, same-record update, related records or actions, blocking a delete, delayed work, a nightly batch, reusable background logic.
- Place before-save and after-save flows in the save order of execution.
- Sequence several flows on one object and stop a flow re-firing on itself.
- Configure run context and versions, handle faults, and monitor failed and paused interviews.
- Choose between Flow and Apex.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before-save elements | Assignment, Decision, Get Records, Loop only | [Before-Save Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_record.htm&type=5) |
| Trigger Order range | 1 to 2,000; ties run alphabetically by API name | [Flow Run Order](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_task_trigger_run_order.htm&type=5) |
| Active versions | Activating a version deactivates the previous one | [Activate a Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_activate.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Custom Error | Record-triggered flows only; message up to 255 characters | [Custom Error Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_custom_error.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Record-triggered default context | System context without sharing | [Flow Run Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_concepts_running_user.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Failed and paused interviews | Automation app, Monitor tab | [Monitor Flow Interviews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_ala_monitor.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Which four elements can a before-save flow use, and what two kinds of work can it never do? → Assignment, Decision, Get Records and Loop; no actions (such as email) and no changes to related records ([Before-Save Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_record.htm&type=5))
- Where do custom validation rules and duplicate rules sit relative to before-save flows and before triggers? → Before-save flows, before triggers, custom validation rules, then duplicate rules ([Order of Execution](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_triggers_order_of_execution.htm))
- How do Trigger Order values from 1 to 1,000 and from 1,001 to 2,000 relate to flows that have no Trigger Order? → 1 to 1,000 run first in ascending order, then flows with no value by activation date, then 1,001 to 2,000 ([Flow Run Order](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_task_trigger_run_order.htm&type=5))
- When would you use a scheduled path instead of a schedule-triggered flow? → When timing is relative to each record (an offset from a date field), not a set time ([Scheduled Paths](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_scheduled_path.htm&type=5))
- Why would you set a screen flow to run in system context without sharing? → To let it update records its users can't edit without widening their access ([Flow Run Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_concepts_running_user.htm&language=en_US&type=5))

## Sources

- [Triggers and Order of Execution](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_triggers_order_of_execution.htm)
- [Flow Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_type.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Record-Triggered Flow Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=sf.flow_considerations_trigger_record.htm&type=5)
- [Define the Run Order of Record-Triggered Flows for an Object](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_task_trigger_run_order.htm&type=5)
- [Scheduled Paths](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_scheduled_path.htm&type=5)
- [Before-Save Record-Triggered Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_record.htm&type=5)
- [Create a Simple After-Save Record-Triggered Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.automate_flow_build_get_started_record_triggered_example_create_record.htm&type=5)
- [Schedule-Triggered Flows](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_trigger_schedule.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Flow Run Context](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.flow_concepts_running_user.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Custom Error Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_custom_error.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Customize What Happens When a Flow Fails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_build_logic_fault.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Activate or Deactivate a Flow](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_distribute_activate.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Monitoring and Managing Paused and Failed Flow Interviews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.automate_ala_monitor.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Record-Triggered Automation decision guide](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/decision-guides/guide/record-triggered)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 21 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Administrator pack (USD $19): https://certifyforce.com/practice-exams