Related Object Rules

Learn how to deduplicate related lists during a merge. Configure Related Object Rules to prevent duplicate Opportunities or Cases when merging Accounts and Contacts.

Overview

When merging two records (e.g., Contact A and Contact B), Salesforce automatically re-parents all child records to the surviving Master Record. This can create a new problem: Child Duplicates.

• Scenario: Contact A has an Opportunity named "Q3 Deal." Contact B also has a duplicate Opportunity named "Q3 Deal."

• Result without rules: The final merged Contact will have two identical "Q3 Deal" Opportunities in its related list.

• Solution: Related Object Rules allow you to detect and merge these child duplicates automatically during the parent merge process.

How to Configure Related Object Rules

1. Access the Section: In Merge Settings, expand Related Object Rules.

2. Add New Rule: Click the New button.

3. Select the Related Object: Choose the child object you want to manage (e.g., Opportunity, Case, or a Custom Object).

4. Define the Relationship:

   • Related Object Field: Select the lookup field that connects the child to the parent (e.g., AccountId or ContactId).

5. Define Deduplication Logic:

   • Duplicate Group Expression: This works like a unique key. Select the field(s) that identify a duplicate within the context of this parent.

     • Example: For Opportunities, you might select Name. If two Opportunities have the exact same Name on the same Account, Delpha treats them as duplicates.

     • Note: This uses strict exact matching (full match, no fuzzy logic).

6. Select the "Winner" Strategy:

   • Selection Criteria: Decide which of the duplicate child records should be kept.

     • Keep Based on Newest Record: Retains the most recently created item.

     • Keep based On Oldest Record: Retains the original item.

     • Keep Based on Latest Modified Record: Retains the one with the most recent updates.

     • Keep Master Record Items: Always prioritizes the child record that was already owned by the Master parent record.

Example Configuration: Deduplicating Opportunities

To ensure you don't end up with duplicate opportunities after merging Accounts:

• Related Object: Opportunity.

• Duplicate Group Expression: Name (and optionally CloseDate).

• Selection Criteria: Keep Based on Latest Modified Record.

• Result: If both Accounts have an opportunity named "Big Deal," only the one updated most recently is kept. The other is deleted/merged.

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