How do API calls work with Weflow?
But how does Weflow use the Salesforce API, and can you reach a daily limit of API calls?
Weflow is all about efficiency and speed. Not only do we try to make you faster, but we also try to do this efficiently under the hood of Weflow's powerful user interface. In this article, you will learn the following:
What types of APIs exist, and which ones does Weflow use?
- Can Weflow slow down Salesforce for others?
- I think that Salesforce is down. Where can I check to make sure?
- How are Salesforce API request limits calculated?
- What happens if I reach my API request limit?
- Learn how to check your API call usage in Salesforce
What types of APIs exist, and which ones does Weflow use?
Weflow uses the Salesforce API to stream data from your Salesforce account to your Weflow account and vice versa. There are two types of APIs with Salesforce that matter:
- SOAP API
- REST API (which also includes Bulk API calls)
Both of these are counted against the API call limit of any organization. However, Weflow only uses the REST API. We do this because the REST API is a more modern approach than the SOAP API, making it easier for us and you to retrieve data efficiently.
Can Weflow slow down Salesforce for others?
- Making API calls by Salesforce does not slow it down for other users
- There are many reasons why Salesforce can feel slow in the web interface
- Consider going through these steps to make sure that your Salesforce account is set up efficiently:
- Make sure there are no errors in the Error Log Tab of Salesforce. Errors can cause additional API calls that you want to avoid.
- Avoid including unnecessary fields and reports. Less is more in this case. It also helps with more focused work.
- You or your Salesforce admin could consider checking if other integrations require extensive use of API calls.
I think that Salesforce is down. Where can I check to make sure?
You can check the current status of Salesforce systems here: https://trust.salesforce.com/.
How many API calls does Weflow use?
- On sign-up, Weflow queries to check the user's permissions but does not ‘load’ all possible records. This takes 2-3 API calls in total.
- Based on their permissions, Weflow then blocks access to, e.g., leads and contacts if they can only access accounts and opportunities.
- Loading, e.g., a pipeline view with 2000 records, is not using up 2000 API calls again but just 2-3.
- For Waterfall & Pacing, with the managed package, Weflow does not use any API calls at all.
- For Pipeline Management and the Collaborative Forecast, Weflow streams the required data for the given moment. This, again, only takes up 2-3 API calls.
Generally, Weflow is very careful and conservative about using up any API calls at all. This is why Weflow offers a managed package for larger data sets.
How are Salesforce API request limits calculated?
The following values are based on Salesforce's documentation and are reset every 24 hours. Note that this does not mean they are reset at midnight every day. Instead, these are rolling values, and you could exceed API limits by making a few requests on i.e., Tuesday Afternoon and then too many on Wednesday Morning.
Example of how to use the table below for calculating your API request limits:
- If you have an Enterprise Edition organization with fifteen Salesforce licenses, the request limit is 15,000 requests (15 licenses X 1,000 calls).
- For an Enterprise Edition organization with 15,000 Salesforce licenses, the request limit is 1,000,000 (the number of licenses X 1,000 calls is greater than the maximum value, so the lower limit of 1,000,000 is used).
- For an Enterprise Edition organization with five Salesforce licenses, the request limit is 15,000 (the number of licenses X 1,000 calls is lower than the minimum value, so the lower limit of 15,000 is used).
Salesforce Edition | Calls for Salesforce* | Minimum | Maximum |
Developer | N/A | 15,000 | 15,000 |
Enterprise | 1,000 | 15,000 | 1,000,000 |
Professional (with API access enabled) | 1,000 | 15,000 | 1,000,000 |
Unlimited | 5,000 | 15,000 | Unlimited |
Performance | 5,000 | 15,000 | Unlimited |
* Please note: Platform, Force.com, Force.com - One App, etc. have different request limits. Please check here for complete information.
What happens if I reach my API request limit?
- Salesforce will send you a warning (usually via email).
- That does not necessarily mean you can no longer make any new API calls that day. Salesforce has some flexibility and usually allows a few more API calls even if you reach your limit. However, this should remain an exception and is solely at the discretion of Salesforce.
- After 24 hours, your API limit will reset, and you can send new requests again.
Learn how to check your API call usage in Salesforce
Official Video by Salesforce:
For further reading, please take a look here:
- API Request Limits (overview by edition)
- SOAP API
- REST API (including Bulk API)
- How to purchase extra API calls