SOAP API Developer Guide

Introduction to SOAP API
Reference
Using the API with Salesforce Features
Implementation Considerations
Objects and SOAP API Calls and Headers for Apex
Outbound Messaging
Understanding Outbound Messaging
Understanding Notifications
Setting Up Outbound Messaging
Considerations for Security
Understanding the Outbound Messaging WSDL
Building a Listener
Data Loading and Integration
Data Replication
Feature-Specific Considerations
Glossary
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Note: This release is in preview. Features described here don’t become generally available until the latest general availability date that Salesforce announces for this release. Before then, and where features are noted as beta, pilot, or developer preview, we can’t guarantee general availability within any particular time frame or at all. Make your purchase decisions only on the basis of generally available products and features.

Understanding Outbound Messaging

Outbound messaging uses the notifications() call to send SOAP messages over HTTP(S) to a designated endpoint when triggered by a workflow rule.

outbound messaging workflow diagram

After you set up outbound messaging, when a triggering event occurs, a message is sent to the specified endpoint URL. The message contains the fields specified when you created the outbound message. After the endpoint URL receives the message, it can take the information from the message and process it. To do that, you must examine the outbound messaging WSDL.