Big Objects Implementation Guide

Big Objects
Async SOQL
View Big Object Data in Reports and Dashboards
Running Async SOQL Queries
Async SOQL Use Cases
Supported SOQL Commands
API End-of-Life
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View Big Object Data in Reports and Dashboards

When working with big data and billions of records, it’s not practical to build reports or dashboards directly from that data. Instead, use Async SOQL to write a query that extracts a smaller, representative subset of the data that you’re interested in. You can store this working dataset in a custom object and use it in reports, dashboards, or any other Lightning Platform feature.

Async SOQL is scheduled for retirement in all Salesforce orgs as of Spring ’23.

Note

  1. Identify the big object that contains the data for which you need a report. In this example, the Ride__b big object contains the full dataset.
  2. Create a custom object. This object holds the working dataset for the big object data that you want to report on. In this example, we use the Bike_Rental__c custom object.
    1. Under Optional Features for the custom object, click Allow Reports.
    2. Add custom fields to the object that match the fields that you want to report on from the big object.
  3. Create an Async SOQL query that builds your working dataset by pulling the data from your big object into your custom object.

    To ensure that your working dataset is always up-to-date for accurate reporting, set this job to run nightly.

    Tip

    1. Log in to Workbench.
      To access Workbench, log in to your org, then open a new browser tab and navigate to https://developer.salesforce.com/page/Workbench.

      To see examples of running Async SOQL queries using REST API, see Running Async SOQL Queries.

      Note

    2. Select Queries, then Async SOQL.
    3. For the Source object, choose the big object from step 1. In this example, Ride__b is the source big object that holds the full dataset.
      Source object for Async SOQL query in Workbench
    4. Select the source fields and filter criteria.
    5. Set the operation type to INSERT.
    6. For the Target object, choose the custom object from step 2, Bike_Rental__c.
    7. Map the source fields from the big object to the target fields in the custom object. In this example, we are mapping the From_Station_Name__c and Trip_Id__c fields from the Ride__b source big object to the corresponding fields on the Bike_Rental__c target custom object.
      Map fields for Async SOQL query in Workbench
    8. Run the query and wait until it completes. Run time depends on how much data you have.
  4. After the query runs, query the custom object in Workbench to see that the data is there.
  5. Build a report using the working dataset you created.
    1. From Setup, enter Report Types in the Quick Find box, then select Report Types.
    2. Create a custom report type.
    3. For the Primary Object, select the custom object from step 2, Bike_Rental__c.
    4. Set the report to Deployed.
    5. Run the report.
You can now use the information from your working dataset not only in your reports, but also in dashboards or any other Lightning Platform feature.