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# 02 · Objects, fields and records
- URL: https://www.namastesalesforce.com/courses/admin-foundations/objects-fields-and-records/
- Published: 2025-03-16T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-03-16T09:00:00.000Z
- Description: The spreadsheet analogy that gets you started, and where it breaks down.
- Author: Swarnil Singhai
- Tags: Salesforce Admin Foundations, #lesson, #duration-20m, #Import 2026-09-03 19:13

The spreadsheet analogy that gets you started, and where it breaks down.

## Objects are tables, until they aren't

An object is a table, a field is a column, a record is a row — that gets you through week one. What the analogy misses: objects carry behaviour, security and relationships that spreadsheets never had.

## Standard first, custom second

Account, Contact and Opportunity solve more than you think. Build a custom object only after you can say why a standard one does not fit — future you will thank present you.

## Practice in your org

- Open your Developer Edition org and follow along step by step
- Change one thing at a time and note what happens
- When something breaks, read the error before searching for it