The Backstory: Your team uses a custom Salesforce field to track information that's critical to your sales process, but the field isn't available in Backstory by default. Rather than asking users to switch between systems to find the information they need, you can map the custom field to Backstory so it appears alongside your other CRM data and can be managed directly within the platform.
Custom field mapping connects a field you create in Salesforce to Backstory so that Backstory can read and manage its values. You first create the field in Salesforce, grant your integration user access to it, and then map it inside the Backstory app under your Salesforce integration. Once mapped, the field's data becomes available in Backstory for filtering and insights. This is useful when your team relies on custom data that does not come standard with the integration.
Note: Creating custom fields and editing permissions requires a Backstory and Salesforce administrator account.
What This Article Covers
Creating the custom field in Salesforce and granting access
Mapping the field to Backstory
Frequently asked questions
Create the Custom Field in Salesforce
These steps create the field in Salesforce and give your integration user access to it. Complete them before mapping the field in Backstory.
Prerequisites: The Backstory Salesforce integration must already be connected, and you should know which object the field belongs to (such as Account, Contact, or Opportunity).
In Salesforce, go to Setup > Object Manager.
Select the object you want to add the field to.
Click Fields & Relationships.
Click New.
Select a supported field type. Backstory supports text (string), date, date/time, picklist, multi-select picklist, checkbox (boolean), currency, number (double), and percent fields.
Enter the field details, including the field label and API Name, then click Save.
Navigate to your integration user's profile or permission set.
Click Object Settings and select the object you added the field to.
Scroll to the Field Permissions section.
Enable Read Access for the new field.
Click Save.
Map the Field to Backstory
These steps connect the Salesforce field to Backstory so its data becomes available in the app.
Log into Backstory as an administrator.
Click the grid icon in the top left corner.
Select Admin Panel.
In the left navigation menu under CRM Sync, click CRMs.
In the Salesforce row of the integrations list, click Review Settings.
Click the Custom Fields tab.
Select the object sub-tab that matches your field, such as Opportunities, Accounts, or Activities.
Click Add Field Mapping.
Select your custom Salesforce field from the Salesforce Field dropdown.
Enter or confirm the Backstory Field Label that the field will display under.
Click Save.
Confirm the field shows a Ready status in the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which field types can I map?
Backstory supports string, date, date/time, picklist, multi-select picklist, boolean, currency, double, and percent field types. If your field uses a different type, it will not appear in the list of options for mapping.
Why is my custom field missing from the list of options?
The most common reason is that the field's type is not supported. Confirm the field uses one of the supported types, and make sure your integration user has Read Access to it.
Do I need to name the field a specific way?
No. There are no naming requirements for custom fields you map. You can give the field any label and API name that fits your organization's conventions.
How long until the data appears in Backstory?
Field data populates on the next data sync after the mapping is saved and shows a Ready status. Timing depends on your organization's sync schedule, but it usually appears within 24 hours.
Can Backstory write values back to my custom field?
Backstory reads mapped custom fields by default. To have Backstory push values to a field, contact your Customer Success Manager so the appropriate access and configuration can be confirmed.
Need Help?
Contact your Customer Success Manager or support@backstory.ai.