Salesforce Winter '27: 8 Important Flow Builder Updates

The Winter ’27 release brings a lot of new capability to Flow Builder. The focus this time is simple: testing your flows, bringing back earlier versions, and understanding performance, all without leaving Flow Builder.

In this blog I have picked the 8 updates that will be most useful in your daily work. For each one, I explain what it is, why it matters, and where to find it in your org.

1. Collection Filter Criteria

You no longer need to build a Loop + Decision + Assignment combination to filter a collection. Set the source collection, filter criteria, and sort criteria in a single resource, and you get the filtered collection back.

Why it matters: Removing the loop makes your flow simpler and also faster on large collections. This is the most practical update in the release.

Where to find it: Flow Builder > New Resource > Collection Filter Criteria

2. Flow Test Mode (Beta)

Until now, a Debug run executed once and was gone. With Test Mode, you can save a test scenario, run it again later, and even assert the expected result.

Why it matters: Run the same tests before and after you edit a flow, and check that nothing broke. This works for record-triggered and autolaunched flows.

Where to find it: Setup > Process Automation Settings > Flow Test Mode (Beta), then the Test button in Flow Builder

Note: This is a Beta feature, so try it in a sandbox first.

3. Mock Outputs (Beta)

You can define a fake output for an Action or Subflow, so that no real external service is called during testing.

Why it matters: A flow that depends on an external API is hard to test repeatedly. With a mock, the result stays under your control, and you can test the failure case too.

Where to find it: Flow Builder > Test > Action/Subflow > Scenario Output > Use Mock Output

Note: This is a Beta feature, and Flow Test Mode must be enabled.

4. Edit History

Flow Builder now shows a timeline of saves. You can preview any save, see element-level changes, and restore an older save as a new version. If you prefer, you can also copy that logic into a brand new flow.

Why it matters: You can finally see which element changed and when, instead of only knowing that “something is wrong in version 8”.

Where to find it: Flow Builder > Edit History > select a saved instance

5. Flow Performance on Canvas

The canvas elements now show average duration, total runs, and run status directly on them. You no longer need to export logs to find a slow element.

Why it matters: Open the flow, look at the canvas, and fix the element with the highest duration.

Where to find it: Setup > Process Automation Settings > Log occurrences for all flow executions, then the Analytics tab in Flow Builder

Tip: After turning logging on, let some data collect for a few days. Only then will the numbers be meaningful.

6. Screen Flow as Mass Quick Action

A screen flow can now run on multiple selected records from a list view or related list. The flow receives the IDs of the selected records.

Why it matters: Earlier, a screen flow could only run on one record. Now users can do tasks like bulk reassignment or mass status updates in one go.

Where to find it: Setup > Object Manager > Object > Buttons, Links, and Actions, then List View Button Layout

Quick setup: Create the flow action, add it to the List View Button Layout, and keep a collection variable in the flow to receive the selected IDs.

7. User Context: Enforce User Permissions

A new run option makes the flow always run with the running user’s access, even when a system context flow is the one calling it.

Why it matters: Earlier, if a system-context parent flow called a user-context subflow, the subflow lost its restrictions. This option closes that gap. For security, this is the most important change in the release.

Where to find it: Flow Builder > Save > Show Advanced > How to Run the Flow > User Context – Enforces User Permissions

Note: This applies only to flows on API version 68.0 or higher.

8. Request Approvals Component

You can now add up to 10 flow approval processes on a single record page, and the submitter chooses which one to use.

Why it matters: One record can have different approval paths, for example a discount approval and a contract exception. You no longer have to write branching logic for this.

Where to find it: Lightning App Builder > Request Approvals component > + Add Flow Approval Process

Quick Mentions

These smaller updates also landed. You need to do little or nothing about them:

  • Save-time warnings: When you save a flow, Flow Builder now warns you if a text value is longer than the target field, or if a required field is missing in Create Records.
  • Group Elements: On the auto-layout canvas, you can put related elements into a collapsible group with a name and description.
  • Debugger upgrades: The debugger now accepts a record ID (15 or 18 characters) and primitive collection values directly.
  • Record lock retry: When a record lock occurs, the flow now automatically retries after 10 seconds.
  • Cosmos theme: Flow Builder now follows the org’s active Cosmos theme.

Where Should You Start?

If you only want to try three things: replace one old loop with Collection Filter Criteria, turn on Flow Test Mode in a sandbox, and check the User Context option on your sensitive flows

Are all these Winter '27 Flow features generally available?
No. Flow Test Mode and Mock Outputs are Beta features. Collection Filter Criteria is rolling out gradually from September 2026. Availability can change, so verify in your own org before relying on any feature in production.
Do I need Flow Test Mode enabled to use Mock Outputs?
Yes. Mock Outputs is a Beta feature that depends on Flow Test Mode, so enable Flow Test Mode first under Setup > Process Automation Settings.
Which types of flows can I test with Flow Test Mode?
Flow Test Mode is meant for record-triggered and autolaunched flows.
Should I try Beta features directly in production?
It is safer not to. Try Flow Test Mode and Mock Outputs in a sandbox first, and confirm the behavior in your org before using them in production.
How does Collection Filter Criteria improve my flow?
It replaces the Loop + Decision + Assignment pattern that was used to filter a collection. You set the source collection, filter criteria, and sort criteria in one resource. The flow becomes simpler and runs faster on large collections.
Why is the performance data not showing on my canvas?
You need to turn on "Log occurrences for all flow executions" in Setup > Process Automation Settings. After that, let the flows run for a few days so enough data collects. Then check the Analytics tab in Flow Builder.
Can I go back to an older version of my flow using Edit History?
Yes. You can preview any earlier save, see the element-level changes, and restore it as a new version. You can also copy that logic into a new flow.
Which API version do I need for the User Context: Enforce User Permissions option?
The option applies only to flows on API version 68.0 or higher.
Can a screen flow run on many records at once now?
Yes. A screen flow can run from a list view or related list on multiple selected records. Create the flow action, add it to the List View Button Layout, and use a collection variable in the flow to receive the selected record IDs.
How many approval processes can I add to a record page?
Up to 10 flow approval processes can be added using the Request Approvals component, and the submitter selects which one to use.