FIELDS() function SOQL examples | select all fields

In Spring 2021, Salesforce announced a new FIELDS() function in SOQL. Using this function in SOQL, we can select some predefined sets of fields in SOQL queries. Using this FIELDS() function we can query

• all fields on an Object (Just like SELECT * in an SQL database.
• custom fields - all the custom fields on an Object.
• standard fields - all the standard fields on an Object.

The FIELDS() function is supported in 

• Apex - Only *bounded i.e. FIELDS(STANDARD) is supported as of now.
• REST API
• SOAP API
• Bulk API - Only *bounded i. e. FIELDS(STANDARD) is supported as of now.
• Salesforce CLI

* Bounded Queries - Where we have a well-defined set of fields, for example, all standard fields.
* Unbounded Queries - Where we have a set of fields that are not predetermined, for example, all fields or all custom fields.

As of now Spring 2021, to be able to use FIELDS(ALL) and FIELDS(CUSTOM) you must limit the rows, maximum limit is 200.

Examples of FIELDS() clause in SOQL

Query all fields

SELECT FIELDS(ALL) FROM Account LIMIT 200

Query all Standard fields

SELECT FIELDS(STANDARD) FROM Account

Query all Custom fields

SELECT FIELDS(CUSTOM) FROM Account LIMIT 200

Mix standard fields and FIELDS(CUSTOM)

SELECT Name, FIELDS(CUSTOM) FROM Account LIMIT 200

Mix custom fields and FIELDS(STANDARD)

SELECT Custom_Field__c, FIELDS(STANDARD) FROM Account

Advantages of FIELDS() function

• Cleaner and simple code as you don't have to write all fields in the query itself.
• Developers can easily explore the fields in the object by running the query, without going to the object manager.
• Integrations with third parties can be loosely coupled as we don't need to change the query in order to add new fields in the query.
• Easily Scalable as we don't need to update queries to add more fields.
• Enforces the security of the data being retrieved.

Limitations of FIELDS() function

• Unbound queries are not yet supported in Apex and Bulk APIs.
• Unbound queries need to limited up to 200 rows.
• We can't create a custom group of fields.
• Need to take care of duplicate fields selected.