What is a Salesforce ID?
Every record in Salesforce—whether it's an Account, Contact, Lead, or Custom Object—is assigned a unique identifier known as a Record ID. These IDs are the backbone of the Salesforce database schema, allowing you to link data tables and perform operations like updates, deletes, and upserts via the API.
However, Salesforce actually uses two different versions of this ID, which often confuses Admins and Developers:
- 15-Character ID (Case-Sensitive): This is the internal "base-62" ID that you typically see in the browser URL bar (in Salesforce Classic) or in certain reports. In this format,
001ABC...is a different record from001abc.... - 18-Character ID (Case-Insensitive): This is the API-safe version. It takes the original 15 characters and adds a 3-character "checksum" suffix to the end. This ensures that legacy systems (like older versions of Excel or Access) that do not respect case sensitivity can still distinguish between records.
Why Convert Salesforce IDs?
The primary reason to use a Salesforce ID Converter is data safety during migrations and reporting.
1. The "Excel VLOOKUP" Problem
Microsoft Excel's VLOOKUP and MATCH functions are case-insensitive by default. If you export a list of 15-digit IDs from Salesforce, Excel effectively sees "001xx000003Dabc" and "001xx000003DABC" as the same text string. This leads to:
- Duplicate rows being flagged incorrectly.
- Data being mapped to the wrong record during a migration.
- Critial errors when using Data Loader to update records.
By converting to the 18-character ID, you add a unique suffix that makes the string unique even in case-insensitive environments.
How the Conversion Works
The conversion process isn't random; it uses a specific checksum algorithm. The tool takes the original 15-character string and splits it into three chunks of 5 characters.
It then analyzes the capitalization of each character in the chunk to generate a binary bitmap (1 for uppercase, 0 for lowercase). This binary number is converted into a single character (A-Z, 0-5) which is appended as the suffix. This guarantees that any variation in casing results in a different suffix.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 15 and 18 digit Salesforce IDs?
The 15-digit ID is case-sensitive and typically seen in the UI. The 18-digit ID is case-insensitive and includes a 3-character checksum suffix, making it safer for API integrations and data exports.
Is this tool safe for sensitive data?
Yes. This conversion happens entirely in your web browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to our servers or stored.
Can I use 18-character IDs in Data Loader?
Yes, Salesforce Data Loader accepts both formats. However, it is best practice to use 18-character IDs to prevent any risk of record mismatching.