SOQL Isn’t Just for Developers: It’s a Power Tool for Admins Too
I was at Midwest Dreamin’ last week and I attended a session on SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) and left feeling like I was brand new to Salesforce again—in the best possible way.
I've always known about SOQL, but to be honest, I filed it in the "developer tools" bucket. Not something I needed to mess with as an Admin. That session changed my mind.
Here’s what I learned—and why I’m committing to making SOQL a part of my everyday workflow as a Salesforce Admin.
SOQL vs SOSL (Quick Refresher)
Let’s get one thing straight:
SOQL = Salesforce Object Query Language → Think: precise queries, “Show me all Cases with status = Open.”
SOSL = Salesforce Object Search Language → Think: global search, “Find ‘printer’ anywhere in the system.”
SOQL is structured. You target exactly what you want—specific fields, from specific objects, filtered in a specific way. Perfect for getting a clean data extract or troubleshooting tricky automation.
SOSL, on the other hand, casts a wide net across multiple objects.
Where You Can Use SOQL
You don’t have to be in Dev Console to run SOQL. In fact, the best tool I learned about during this session? Salesforce Inspector Reloaded.
This Chrome extension lets you run SOQL queries right from your browser, see the results immediately, and even export them. And yes, it respects sharing rules, so you can see what data is visible to specific users.
Here’s why that matters:
✅ Data validation: Check before you build or update automation.
✅ Fast exports: Pull clean data for uploads or audits.
✅ Security testing: Run as a user to verify access and visibility.
✅ Efficiency: Spot patterns, troubleshoot issues, or just answer those “quick questions” you get from stakeholders without jumping through five reports.
“I’m Not a Developer”—And That’s Okay
I had to let go of this idea that SOQL is only for devs. It’s not. It’s just another way to get to the data. And often, it’s faster, cleaner, and easier than creating a report from scratch—especially when you want to filter by child object criteria, or need fields that don’t show up in the UI.
Think of SOQL like your own personal data Swiss Army knife. Need just a few fields? Need to see data across relationships? Want to double-check what’s in a Lookup before running a Flow? SOQL’s got you.
Best Practices for Getting Started
Here’s what I’m doing to build SOQL into my workflow:
Start with questions, not code. What do I need to know? What object holds that data? What fields do I care about?
Use Salesforce Inspector Reloaded. (Install it here)
Keep it simple. Start with single-object queries, filter on a single field, and gradually build up.
Get help from friendly resources. The SOQL Inspiration site is a great way to explore real examples.
Save your snippets. If a query helps once, it’ll probably help again. Keep a cheat sheet handy.
A Few SOQL Tips I Loved from the Session
Use single quotes, not double quotes, in your WHERE clauses.
You can query fields and objects that don’t appear in the UI (super helpful for older orgs).
It’s a great way to extract “friendly” versions of data—especially for uploads.
And yes—it respects sharing rules, so you’re always seeing what the user sees.
Final Thoughts: SOQL Is a Power Tool for Admins
After years of thinking “That’s not for me,” I’m now using SOQL to validate my data before flows, troubleshoot automation, and check user visibility. It’s honestly faster than building a report—and way more flexible.
If you’re an Admin, and especially if you're working in Service Cloud or Field Service, this can be a game changer for:
Data cleanup and validation
Flow testing and optimization
User support and access troubleshooting
Getting the data you actually need, quickly
Bottom line? SOQL isn’t just a developer’s tool. It’s an Admin’s secret weapon. 💥
💡 Want to learn more about how Service Cloud can reduce costs and boost efficiency? Get tips and tricks from my blog: https://www.northstarcrmconsulting.com/blog
