The ExtendInsights Salesforce workspace brings your Salesforce data and record-management tools into Microsoft Excel.
This article explains the main areas of the workspace, including connections, objects and fields, filters, SOQL, templates, actions, schedules, and Cell Operations.
🏠 Home Page
The ExtendInsights home page displays the data sources available to your organization.
Select Salesforce to:
Create a new Salesforce template.
Load an existing template.
Select or create a Salesforce connection.
Download or manage Salesforce records.
📊 Workspace Layout
After inserting a Salesforce template:
The mapped Excel table appears in the worksheet.
The ExtendInsights task pane displays the active connection, template configuration, and available actions.
Worksheet Components
1. Row 1 - Mapping Syntax
Row 1 stores the mapping between the Excel columns and Salesforce fields.
The row is hidden by default.
Each mapped column corresponds to a Salesforce field.
Selecting a cell in Row 1 reveals its mapping syntax.
Avoid editing this row unless instructed by CloudExtend Support.
Changing the mapping syntax can prevent ExtendInsights from identifying or processing the field correctly.
2. Column A - Errors
Column A is reserved for operation results.
It may display:
Successful processing results.
Warnings returned by Salesforce.
Validation or permission errors.
Details explaining why a row failed.
Review Column A after uploading, refreshing, or deleting records.
3. Column B - Record ID
The Record ID is Salesforce’s unique identifier for a record.
ExtendInsights uses it to determine how a row should be processed:
Record ID | Result |
Blank | Creates a new Salesforce record during an upload. |
Populated | Updates, refreshes, or deletes the existing record associated with that ID. |
⚠️ Do not remove or modify the Record ID when working with existing records.
ExtendInsights Panel
Connection
A connection authorizes ExtendInsights to access a Salesforce production or sandbox organization.
ExtendInsights supports multiple Salesforce connections. Use descriptive names such as Salesforce Production and Salesforce Sandbox to avoid selecting the wrong environment.
Configure the Template
The Configure section determines how the Excel table connects to Salesforce.
Use it to select:
The Salesforce object.
The fields included in the template.
When configuring fields, you can:
Search for fields.
Add or remove fields.
Rearrange their order.
Review field types.
Change how Excel handles supported field types.
Identify relationship or reference fields.
After selecting the required settings, choose Insert Template to add the mapped table to the active worksheet.
⚠️ Important: Inserting a template replaces the existing contents of the active worksheet. Always begin with a blank worksheet.
Objects
A Salesforce object stores a specific type of data.
Standard Objects
Standard objects are included with Salesforce, such as:
Account
Contact
Lead
Opportunity
Case
Campaign
Task
Custom Objects
Custom objects are created by your organization to support specific business processes.
ExtendInsights supports both standard and custom Salesforce objects, subject to your Salesforce permissions.
Fields
Fields store individual pieces of information within a Salesforce object.
Examples include:
Account Name
Email
Opportunity Amount
Close Date
Lead Status
Record ID
Fields may be standard or custom.
Common Field Types
Text
Number
Currency
Picklist
Date or Date/Time
Checkbox
Reference or relationship field
Filters and SOQL
ExtendInsights provides two ways to control which Salesforce records are downloaded.
Method | Best for |
Filters | Straightforward criteria configured without writing query syntax. |
SOQL | Advanced filtering, sorting, conditions, and record limits. |
Filters
A filter contains:
A Salesforce field.
An operator.
A value.
For example, you can retrieve Opportunities where Stage equals Proposal/Price Quote.
SOQL
Salesforce Object Query Language provides more precise control over a download.
SOQL supports clauses such as:
WHEREORDER BYLIMIT
Use SOQL when the required criteria cannot be configured easily with standard filters.
Insert, Preview, and Download
After configuring the object, fields, and optional criteria:
Select Insert Template.
ExtendInsights inserts the mapped table into the active worksheet.
Configure collapses.
Actions expands automatically.
Select Preview to review the first 50 matching records.
Select Download to retrieve the complete matching dataset.
Previewing the results helps you identify incorrect fields or criteria before downloading a larger dataset.
Save Templates
Save a template when you want to reuse the same Salesforce object, fields, filters, or SOQL configuration.
The template appears in the Template Repository and can be loaded in another workbook.
If you do not save the template, it can only be refreshed from the worksheet where it was created.
Assign a Schedule
Schedules automatically refresh downloaded data using the saved template or SOQL query.
Before assigning a schedule, confirm that:
The workbook is stored in OneDrive for Business or SharePoint.
Microsoft 365 administrator consent has been granted.
The workbook contains a saved template or query.
Actions
The Actions section contains the operations available for the active template.
Action | What it does | Key requirement |
Preview | Retrieves the first 50 matching records. | Configure fields and optional filters or SOQL. |
Download | Retrieves the complete matching dataset. | Configure fields and optional criteria. |
Upload Rows | Creates or updates selected worksheet rows. | Existing records require a populated Record ID. |
Upload All | Processes every populated row in the template. | Hidden and filtered-out rows are still included. |
Refresh Rows | Retrieves current Salesforce values for selected rows. | Each row requires a valid Record ID. |
Delete Rows | Deletes the selected Salesforce records. | Each row requires a valid Record ID and delete permission. |
How Upload Determines Create or Update
Record ID | Upload result |
Blank | Creates a new Salesforce record. |
Populated | Updates the existing Salesforce record. |
Always review the selected rows and active Salesforce connection before running an action.
Picklists and Cell Operations
ExtendInsights recognizes supported Salesforce picklist and reference fields.
Cell Operations allows you to:
Browse available values.
Search for a specific value.
Insert a valid value into the selected Excel cell.
Enter a value directly and allow ExtendInsights to resolve it.
Work with supported multi-select fields.
When entering a value directly:
An exact match is resolved automatically.
Multiple matches require you to choose the correct value.
An invalid value remains unresolved and must be corrected before uploading.
Best Practices
Use descriptive names for connections and templates.
Confirm whether you are connected to production or sandbox.
Insert templates only into blank worksheets.
Include the Record ID when updating, refreshing, or deleting records.
Preview results before downloading a large dataset.
Apply filters or SOQL criteria to retrieve only the records you need.
Refresh existing rows before making updates.
Review Column A after every operation.
Test new templates and workflows with a small number of records.
Use Upload All only when every populated row is ready.
Save frequently used templates for reuse.
Related Resources
💬 Need Help?
If you need assistance:
Use the in-app messenger inside ExtendInsights.
Start a chat from the bottom-right corner of the support site.
Include the Salesforce object, template name, active connection, operation performed, and any error messages or screenshots.