What's holding back your automation strategy when Salesforce Flow refuses to let you pass a collection variable—a list of records—into an Apex @InvocableMethod? If you've ever tried to launch a Screen Flow from a list view button, expecting to process selected records in bulk, only to find Flow Builder limiting you to single or simple variables, you're not alone. But this technical roadblock is more than a developer inconvenience—it's a strategic challenge for business transformation.
Are Your Automation Ambitions Limited by Flow's Data Handling?
In today's data-driven world, business leaders expect their platforms to empower users to select multiple records from a list view, launch a Flow via a button, and run sophisticated processes at scale. Yet, when Flow Builder restricts your Apex action inputs to single variables, it raises a critical question: Is your automation architecture truly built for scale and agility?
The Technical Reality: Why Can't I Pass a List of Records?
Salesforce's integration between Flow and Apex @InvocableMethod is designed for flexibility, but only if you structure your method inputs correctly. The @InvocableMethod annotation allows a method to accept a list of records, but the input parameter must be a list of a supported type—such as a list of sObjects, primitives, or a custom class annotated with @InvocableVariable[1][4]. If your method argument isn't structured as a list of these supported types, Flow Builder won't recognize it as a valid collection input, and you'll only see options for single/simple variables[1][4].
This isn't just a coding nuance—it's a reflection of how user interface design and backend architecture must align. The Flow builder interface expects a certain data contract, and any mismatch can block your ability to process records in bulk.
Reframing the Challenge: From Technical Limitation to Strategic Opportunity
What if this limitation is an invitation to rethink your approach to business process automation? By designing your Apex action with a custom inner class (using @InvocableVariable for each field) and accepting a list of these objects, you unlock the ability to process multiple records, capture richer context, and orchestrate more complex workflows[4]. This pattern not only solves the immediate technical issue—it sets the stage for scalable, reusable automation across your organization.
Consider this analogy: Trying to pass single variables when you need a collection is like trying to run a relay race with only one runner. The real power of Salesforce automation comes when your processes can handle the entire team—processing every selected record as part of a unified workflow.
The Business Impact: Why This Matters for Digital Transformation
When you enable Flows to pass collections of records to Apex actions, you empower users to launch sophisticated processes directly from list views, streamline bulk operations, and reduce manual effort. This capability transforms your Salesforce platform from a transactional system into a strategic automation engine—driving efficiency, accuracy, and innovation.
How many opportunities are missed when your automation stops at single-record processing? Unlocking collection processing in Flows isn't just a technical win—it's a catalyst for business agility and competitive advantage.
For organizations looking to maximize their automation potential, comprehensive workflow automation frameworks can provide the strategic foundation needed to scale beyond single-record limitations. Additionally, understanding hyperautomation principles becomes crucial when designing systems that can handle complex, multi-record operations efficiently.
Vision: Architecting for Scale and Flexibility
As you design your next Salesforce automation, ask yourself: Are my workflows built to handle the complexity and volume of real business operations? By mastering the interplay between Flow Builder, Apex @InvocableMethod, and custom collection variable handling, you position your organization to respond faster to change, automate at scale, and deliver superior user experiences.
The journey toward sophisticated automation often requires exploring advanced automation platforms that complement Salesforce's capabilities. When traditional Flow limitations become barriers, n8n offers flexible workflow automation that can bridge gaps in your automation strategy.
In the era of digital transformation, the ability to process lists of records isn't just a feature—it's a strategic enabler. Are your automation architectures ready for what's next?
For teams seeking to enhance their automation capabilities beyond Salesforce's native limitations, Make.com provides visual automation tools that can handle complex data operations and integrate seamlessly with existing Salesforce workflows, ensuring your automation strategy scales with your business needs.
Why won't Flow let me pass a collection (list of records) into my Apex @InvocableMethod?
Flow only recognizes method inputs that match supported types for @InvocableMethod. The parameter must be a list of a supported type—for example List
How should I structure my Apex method so Flow can pass a collection of records?
Define an inner or top-level class with fields annotated by @InvocableVariable, then create a static @InvocableMethod that accepts a List of that class (or a List of sObjects/primitives). Example pattern: public class Wrapper { @InvocableVariable public Id recordId; } @InvocableMethod public static void doWork(List
Can I accept a record collection (e.g., a list view selection) directly as a List in @InvocableMethod?
Yes — @InvocableMethod can accept lists of sObjects or specific sObject types (e.g., List
What if Flow won’t let me map my list view selected records to the Apex input — any workarounds?
Common workarounds: 1) Create a wrapper class with @InvocableVariable and map record fields/IDs into a Flow collection of that wrapper, then pass it to Apex. 2) Pass a collection of IDs or primitives if your Apex accepts List
Does the @InvocableMethod return type matter for collection inputs?
Flow supports methods that return void or a List of a supported type (often another wrapper class annotated with @InvocableVariable). The key for input collection mapping is the method's parameter type being a supported List; the return type affects how Flow receives results but not whether Flow sees a collection input option.
What are the best practices when designing an invocable method to handle collections?
Best practices: bulkify logic to process all records in the list in a single transaction; validate inputs and handle null/empty collections; respect governor limits (SOQL/DML batching, limit queries); use Database.insert/update with partial success patterns if needed; and write unit tests that pass multiple records to the invocable method to verify behavior at scale.
Are there governor-limit or transaction concerns when Flow sends a large collection to Apex?
Yes. Large collections increase SOQL/DML volume and CPU/time usage within a single transaction. Design handlers to minimize SOQL/DML per record (use maps and bulk queries), consider chunking work into smaller batches, or have the invocable method enqueue a Queueable/Batchable job for very large sets to avoid governor-limit failures.
How do Screen Flows launched from a list view button interact with selected records?
When you launch a Flow from a list view button, the platform can pass the selected records as a collection variable to the Flow. To hand those into Apex, ensure your Flow creates or maps a collection variable whose type matches the Apex invocable method parameter (e.g., a record collection or a collection of wrapper items) so the method can accept the bulk selection.
When should I consider external automation tools (n8n, Make.com) instead of forcing this through Flow + Apex?
Consider external tools if you need more flexible data shaping, complex cross-system orchestration, or visual builders that handle heterogeneous collections more easily. These platforms can complement Salesforce by pre-processing or routing data, reducing the complexity you must encode in Apex/Flow. However, keep integration, latency, and security implications in mind.
Any quick example of an invocable wrapper pattern that accepts collections?
A concise pattern: define a wrapper class with @InvocableVariable fields representing the data Flow will send, then create an @InvocableMethod that accepts List
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