Top Salesforce Tools That Make Admins 10x More Efficient

It’s no secret that Salesforce Admins wear many hats—from managing data and building workflows to ensuring users get a smooth, efficient experience.

And in today’s complex Salesforce ecosystems, the right tools can turn a good admin into a great one. There are powerful tools out there that can make admins 10x more efficient.

In this year’s Salesforce Ben Administrator Survey, admins from across the globe revealed the tools they use every day—and the results were eye-opening. While the “clicks not code” approach is still at the heart of Salesforce Admin life, more admins are now blending low-code and pro-code tools to speed up operations like never before.

These tools enable administrators to work more efficiently, solve complex problems, and collaborate more effectively with developers and business teams. Whether it’s querying data, deploying changes, customizing interfaces, or building powerful automations, the right tools can transform how admins work.

In today’s blog, we’ve listed the top five tools every Salesforce Admin must have to boost efficiency and deliver better results in the Salesforce org.

1. SOQL 

What is it?

SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) is Salesforce’s version of SQL. It helps you search and retrieve specific data from your Salesforce org.

Why Admins Love It:

Sometimes standard Salesforce reports just don’t cut it. With SOQL, admins can directly query their data with precision. It helps them pull exactly what they need, when they need it, without waiting for someone else to do it.

How It Helps You Work Smarter:

• Find records with missing or incorrect data
• Identify and remove duplicate entries
• Retrieve child/related records
• Export data for analysis or cleanup
• Audit automation and validate test results

Pro Tip: Use tools like Workbench or Developer Console to run your SOQL queries and view results instantly.

2. VS Code 

What is it?

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful text editor that connects seamlessly with Salesforce for code development, metadata management, and version control.

Why Admins Love It:

You don’t have to be a developer to use VS Code. It provides admins with clear visibility into their organization’s structure, supports deployments, and enables metadata editing in a more organized manner. Plus, it works seamlessly with version control systems like Git.

How It Helps You Work Smarter:

• Inspect and edit Flows, Validation Rules, and Layouts
• Deploy changes to the sandbox or production
• Collaborate with dev teams
• Track edits using Git and version history

Pro Tip: Use the Salesforce Extension Pack in VS Code to connect and explore your Salesforce org.

3. Apex 

What is it?

Apex is Salesforce’s native programming language, allowing advanced automation and system-level operations that go beyond point-and-click tools.

Why Admins Love It:

While many admins rely on point-and-click tools, some business challenges demand more flexibility. Apex allows you to write custom triggers, batch processes, or automation rules tailored to your org’s specific needs.

How It Helps You Work Smarter:

• Develop custom triggers and classes
• Automate complex business processes
• Integrate with third-party systems
• Write test classes for successful deployments

Pro Tip: Pair Apex knowledge with Flow to extend automation capabilities without over-complicating the system.

4. Workbench 

What is it?

Workbench is a free, web-based tool that enables administrators to interact with Salesforce data and metadata outside of the standard UI.

Why Admins Love It:

It’s fast, flexible, and doesn’t require any installation. Whether you’re resetting user passwords, executing queries, or exploring the data model, Workbench makes it easy.

How It Helps You Work Smarter:

• Run SOQL/SOSL queries on the fly
• Reset passwords or unlock users quickly
• Bulk update or delete records
• Explore object relationships and field metadata

Pro Tip: Bookmark Workbench and use it as your go-to tool for quick fixes and explorations.

5. HTML 

What is it?

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to format and display content on the web, and it plays a crucial yet subtle role in Salesforce.

Why Admins Love It:

Admins often manage email templates, community pages, and Lightning pages. Knowing HTML helps them customize layouts, structure content, and create visually engaging interfaces.

How It Helps You Work Smarter:

• Customize email templates for Marketing Cloud or Pardot.

• Enhance Lightning Pages with embedded instructions..
• Format content in Communities or Knowledge Articles

Pro Tip: Even learning a few basic HTML tags (like <b>, <br>, <a>) can make a big difference in your templates and pages.

Conclusion

The role of a Salesforce Admin is evolving. Today’s admins are not just button-clickers—they’re builders, problem-solvers, and technical thinkers. The most efficient admins don’t just rely on the UI—they leverage tools like SOQL, Apex, Workbench, HTML, & VS Code to get more done with less effort.

Whether you’re troubleshooting, automating, or enhancing the user experience, these tools are game-changers. If you’re looking to maximize your productivity and stay ahead in the Salesforce ecosystem, these are must-haves in your admin toolkit.

Need help mastering these tools or implementing best practices in your org? Cloud Analogy—a Salesforce Summit Consulting Partner—offers expert support, robust Salesforce Application development, Salesforce consulting services, and hands-on training tailored for admins just like you. 

Explore industry-ready Salesforce solutions and powerful AppExchange tools with Cloud Analogy to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and drive digital transformation for your business success. Book a free demo today and empower your Salesforce journey like never before with the best-in-class Salesforce consulting services.