Dynamic Linked Record
Introduction
The Dynamic Linked Record update enhances the behaviour of the Linked Record field inside a process by allowing it to automatically filter records based on the relationships that already exist between two processes.
When two processes are already interlinked through a linked record, and both of them are brought into a third process as linked fields, the system can now identify that relationship and use it to filter which records are shown to the user. This behaviour is enabled through a new setting inside the Linked Record field configuration “Link this to another linked record” option. Upon enabling this, the system evaluates the existing link between the two processes and updates the record options shown in the checklist accordingly.
This means that when they select a record in one linked field, the system will automatically narrow down the options shown in the second linked field to only those records that are connected to their selection. This removes situations where users see long lists of unrelated records and significantly reduces confusion when multiple records share similar names.
What’s included in this release
1. Dynamic filtering of linked records: When a user selects a record in one Linked Record field, Unifize automatically filters the options in another dynamically connected Linked Record field to show only the records that are linked to the selected record. This behaviour is driven by existing relationships defined between the two underlying processes.
2. New “Link this to another linked record” setting: A new toggle is available in the Linked Record field setting. This can be accessed by going to: Process Builder → Linked Record Field → Settings → Link this to another linked record.
Enabling this toggle allows the process users to filter related records in the checklist of the record.
3. Automatic detection of dynamically related processes: When the toggle option is enabled, Unifize automatically checks whether the selected processes already have a linked record relationship between them. If yes, it shows the dynamic linking options in the Linked Record configuration.
4. Record relationship analysis: Upon enabling the new toggle option, the system will be able to fetch the record to record relationships between the two processes and create a filter using that information.
How this looks on the Platform
Admins can configure and enable dynamic filtering for Linked Record fields inside a process:
Go to Manage View.
Open the process where you want to enable dynamic filtering.
Click the Edit button next to the process name.
Navigate to Checklists → locate the Linked Record field.
Add the two processes that you want to use for filtering using Linked Record fields. You can add any number of processes via a Linked Record as long as these processes already have a dynamic link existing between them.
Note: For the dynamic filtering button to show and work, the following conditions have to be satisfied:
A dynamic relationship must already exist between these two processes. This means the processes must have a pre-existing Linked Record relationship for the dynamic filter setting to appear.
Both processes must be added as Linked Record fields inside the new process where you’re trying to enable dynamic filtering.
A record-to-record relationship must pre-exist between the records of the process which will be used for filtering.
After adding both linked record fields in the current process, go to the Linked Record field settings.
If all dependency conditions are satisfied, you will see the “Link this to another linked record” toggle at the top of the settings panel.
Note that dynamic filtering only works in a unidirectional way. This means that only one record can depend on the other record to fetch and filter data. Both records cannot depend on each other for filtering each other. Creating a bi-directional behaviour between the two Linked Record fields will cause the filtering to fail.
Before vs After
Before
After
When multiple processes were brought into a third process using Linked Record fields, users always saw all records from the linked process, regardless of whether those records were actually related to the record they had selected.
When two processes with an existing linked relationship are added as Linked Record fields inside a third process, the system can now detect this relationship.
The Linked Record field behaved independently, without using any existing record-to-record relationships defined between the two processes.
After enabling the new “Link this to another linked record” setting, the Linked Record field becomes context-aware and filters itself based on the user’s selection in the other linked field.
Even when two processes were already interlinked, the relationship was not used inside a third process.
When two interlinked processes are added as Linked Record fields inside a third process, the system can detect this relationship.
Long, unfiltered lists appeared in the checklist, making it difficult to identify the correct record.
Record lists are automatically narrowed down based on the user’s selection in the other linked field.
Filtering had to be done manually by the user.
Filtering is automated, accurate, and based entirely on existing Linked Record relationships.
Feature limitations
Dynamic linking appears only when a valid relationship exists: The “Link this to another linked record” toggle option will only appear if the two processes already have a linked record relationship defined between them. Without this pre-existing relationship, dynamic filtering cannot be enabled.
Both processes must be added to the same checklist: Dynamic behaviour only works when both processes are brought into the third process as Linked Record fields. If one of the processes is not added, filtering will not occur.
Does not auto-establish missing relationships: If records between the two processes are not linked at the source, Unifize will not infer new relationships. The filter only uses the existing record-to-record relationship.
Best practices
Before enabling dynamic linking inside a third process, ensure that the two processes already contain a Linked Record field connecting their records.
Apply this feature in scenarios where one record naturally determines the valid set of records in the other process.
Dynamic filtering directly depends on the accuracy of record-to-record relationships. Ensure that source process records are correctly linked and maintained.
Dynamic filtering reduces confusion, but it’s important that you stick to clear record naming inside each process for easier data management.
Access the complete Linked Record guide here.
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