Salesforce Platform Developer Practice Exam

What function does a cross-object formula field serve in relation to Account and Opportunity records?

1. It automatically updates Opportunity fields when the Account changes.

2. It displays static data from the Account in the Opportunity.

3. It creates a lookup relationship between Account and Opportunity.

4. It validates data across both objects upon creation.

The correct answer is: It automatically updates Opportunity fields when the Account changes.

A cross-object formula field serves to dynamically retrieve and display information between related records, specifically in this context between Account and Opportunity records. When a cross-object formula is created on the Opportunity object that references fields from the Account object, it pulls the data directly from the Account record into the Opportunity record. When the Account data changes, the Opportunity will reflect these changes automatically. This means if, for instance, you have a formula field on an Opportunity record that pulls the Account's billing address, any updates to the billing address on the Account will be immediately reflected in all related Opportunity records that utilize that formula. This functionality allows for real-time data consistency without the need for manual updates. The other options do not accurately describe the function of cross-object formula fields. While displaying static data could suggest a relationship, it doesn't capture the dynamic nature of cross-object formula fields which update automatically with changes in the source record. Furthermore, a cross-object formula does not create a lookup relationship; instead, it utilizes an already existing relationship to pull information. Lastly, cross-object formulas don't perform validation between objects; their purpose is primarily to display data across them without the ability to restrict or validate that data.