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Search for Tabs and Objects

Quick Start

🔍 Can't find what you need? Use Salesforce's navigation options to quickly locate any tab or object in the system.

  1. Check visible tabs → 2. Use tab dropdown → 3. Try App Launcher → 4. Search by name

What you'll accomplish: Master Salesforce navigation by learning how to find and access any tab or object using the interface, tab navigation, and App Launcher search in about 3 minutes.

🚀 Quickstart​

  1. Check visible tabs across the top of the page
  2. Look for dropdown arrow for additional tabs
  3. Use App Launcher (9-dot grid) to search
  4. Type object/tab name to find quickly

⚠️ Before You Start​

📋 Prerequisites Checklist
  • You have access to Salesforce
  • Basic understanding of what you're looking for
  • Knowledge of approximate tab/object name
  • Appropriate permissions for the object you need

💡 Understanding Salesforce Navigation​

Navigation Elements:

  • Top tabs - Most commonly used objects appear as tabs
  • Tab dropdown - Additional tabs hidden in overflow menu
  • App Launcher - Comprehensive search for all objects and apps
  • Search functionality - Find objects by typing names

Tab Visibility:

  • Standard tabs - Always visible if you have access
  • Custom tabs - May be added by your organization
  • App-specific tabs - Change based on selected app
  • Permission-based - Only visible if you have access rights

📘 Detailed Instructions​

Step 1: Check Visible Tabs​

📑 Tab Navigation Basics

What to Look For:

  • Tab bar across the top of Salesforce interface
  • Tab names like "Accounts", "Contacts", "Opportunities"
  • Active tab highlighted differently from others
  • Tab icons next to tab names for visual identification

Common Tabs:

  • Accounts - Organizations and households
  • Contacts - Individual people
  • Opportunities - Deals and donations
  • Campaigns - Marketing and billing campaigns
  • Reports - Data analysis and reporting
  1. Look across the tabs at the top of the page
  2. Scan for the tab name you need
  3. Click directly on the tab if you find it
  4. Note the currently selected tab (highlighted)

Step 2: Use Tab Dropdown for Additional Options​

Look for Hidden Tabs:

  1. Find the dropdown arrow (▼) on the far right of the tab bar
  2. Click the arrow to see additional tabs
  3. Scroll through the dropdown list
  4. Click on the tab you need from the dropdown

Why Tabs Are Hidden:

  • Screen space - Limited room for all tabs
  • User preferences - Tabs can be customized per user
  • App configuration - Different apps show different tabs
  • Permission levels - Some tabs only visible to certain users

Step 3: Use the App Launcher​

Access App Launcher:

  1. Locate the 9-dot grid (⚏) in the top-left corner
  2. Click the grid to open the App Launcher
  3. Wait for the launcher to load all available items

App Launcher Features:

  • All Items - Complete list of objects and apps
  • Search functionality - Type to find specific items
  • Recent items - Quick access to recently used objects
  • App switching - Change between different Salesforce apps

Step 4: Search for Specific Objects​

🔍 Search Best Practices

Effective Search Terms:

  • Exact names - "General Accounting Units", "Payment Adjustments"
  • Partial names - "Account", "Member", "Invoice"
  • Abbreviations - "GAU" for General Accounting Unit
  • Common variations - "Payments" or "Payment Records"

Search Tips:

  • Start typing - Results appear as you type
  • Be specific - More specific terms yield better results
  • Try variations - If one term doesn't work, try related terms
  • Use singular/plural - Try both forms of words

Search Process:

  1. Type the name of the tab/object you're looking for
  2. Watch as search results appear in real-time
  3. Look for exact matches or close variations
  4. Click on the correct item from search results

✅ How to Know It Worked​

Success Indicators:

  • ✅ You found and accessed the tab/object you needed
  • ✅ The correct page loads with the expected content
  • ✅ Tab appears in your tab bar (if applicable)
  • ✅ You can perform the actions you intended

Navigation Confirmation:

  • Page title matches what you were looking for
  • URL shows the correct object/tab path
  • Interface elements match your expectations
  • Data appears relevant to what you searched for

🆘 Troubleshooting​

❌ Tab/Object Not Visible

Problem: Cannot find expected tab or object

Solutions:

  • ✅ Check permissions - Contact your Salesforce administrator
  • ✅ Verify spelling - Ensure correct object name
  • ✅ Try variations - Search for related terms
  • ✅ Check app context - Switch to different Salesforce app
❌ App Launcher Not Working

Problem: App Launcher doesn't open or search doesn't work

Solutions:

  • ✅ Refresh page - Reload Salesforce interface
  • ✅ Clear cache - Clear browser cache and cookies
  • ✅ Try different browser - Test with another browser
  • ✅ Check connection - Verify stable internet connection
❌ Search Results Empty

Problem: App Launcher search returns no results

Solutions:

  • ✅ Check spelling - Verify correct object name
  • ✅ Try broader terms - Use less specific search terms
  • ✅ Verify access - Confirm you have permission to the object
  • ✅ Ask administrator - May need to enable access to specific objects
❌ Wrong Object Opens

Problem: Clicking search result opens unexpected object

Solutions:

  • ✅ Read descriptions - Look at full object names in search results
  • ✅ Check object details - Verify you selected the right item
  • ✅ Refine search - Use more specific search terms
  • ✅ Try again - Go back and search with different terms

💡 Best Practices​

Navigation Best Practices
  • 🏷️ Learn Object Names - Familiarize yourself with common object names
  • 🔖 Bookmark Frequently Used - Pin important tabs for quick access
  • 🔍 Use Descriptive Searches - Be as specific as possible in searches
  • 📱 Mobile Considerations - Navigation works differently on mobile devices
  • 🎯 App Context Awareness - Different apps show different objects
  • 📚 Ask for Training - Request training on your organization's specific setup

Efficiency Tips:

  • Recent items - App Launcher shows recently used objects
  • Keyboard shortcuts - Learn Salesforce keyboard shortcuts
  • Consistent patterns - Most objects follow similar naming conventions
  • Context clues - Object icons and descriptions help identification

Organization-Specific Navigation:

  • Custom objects - Your organization may have unique objects
  • Custom apps - Switch between apps for different functions
  • Custom tabs - Some tabs may be customized for your organization
  • Role-based access - Available objects depend on your user role

Common Object Categories:

  • Core CRM - Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities, Leads
  • Financial - Invoices, Payments, GAU Allocations, Adjustments
  • Membership - Membership Levels, Member Accounts, Campaigns
  • Configuration - Settings, Administration, User Management

🔗 Related Actions​