Introduction
This user guide will help you understand and use the Data Connector tool.
The Data Connector is a flexible and powerful tool built into your Salesforce environment to allow real-time connections with external APIs. It enables your users to search external data, view results inside Salesforce, and use that data to create Salesforce records
This connector was designed to be:
- 🔌 Adaptable – It can be configured to work with a wide range of external systems (public or private APIs)
- 🎯 Personalized – You can define exactly which data is displayed, how it’s mapped, and what filters are available
- 🚀 User-Friendly – All configuration is handled behind the scenes, while users work with a clean, guided interface
What Does It Do?
In practical terms, the Data Connector allows you to:
- Connect to external APIs using secure, preconfigured settings
- Define what data should be displayed to users
- Let users search for external data using filters
- Automatically populate Salesforce fields with selected results
- Easily extend the connector to support additional APIs in the future
How Does It Work?
Authentication & Security
Each Data Connector relies on a secure authentication method to communicate with external systems. Depending on the connector, this may be managed through:
- Named Credentials / External Credentials
- A token or API key stored securely in Mobee Settings
- Or other secure authentication mechanisms provided by the platform or API
Five Custom Objects
Define the structure, filters, fields, and mappings between Salesforce and external APIs.
User Interface & Automation Models
Each Data Connector may operate differently depending on its purpose:
Interactive Connectors
These connectors include a Lightning Web Component (LWC) that allows users to perform real-time searches from Salesforce and select the data they want to bring into records. They rely on configurable settings — such as the data source and target Salesforce object — and can be added to record pages, utility bars, or buttons.
Automated Connectors
Some connectors run entirely in the background without a user interface. Once configured, they process data automatically — for example, syncing donations and donor information from the external system into Salesforce — requiring no manual action from end-users.
💡 Depending on the connector, interaction may be user-driven (via LWC) or fully automated (without UI).