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OmniStudio's New Designer

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What’s New in the Standard OmniStudio Designer

Salesforce’s new OmniStudio Designer (often called the “standard designer”) replaces the older Manage Package Designer with a modern, Flow-like interface. You’ll find faster performance, fewer clicks, and consistent tools across OmniScript, FlexCards, Data Mappers, and Integration Procedures. Here’s what to expect—and how to prepare your org.

1. Core Improvements

  • Modern UI & UX

    • Left‐side element palette, right‐side properties, top‐bar actions—just like Flow Designer.
    • Drag-and-drop is noticeably snappier; tabs activate/deactivate instantly.

  • List Views

    • OmniScript, FlexCard, Data Mapper, and Integration Procedure list views mimic Salesforce object lists.
    • Built-in search and standard list actions speed navigation.

  • Design Assistant

    • Contextual warnings and tips appear in a side panel, guiding best practices.

  • Faster Preview & Activation

    • Preview JSON and debug logs load quickly.
    • Activating new versions often takes seconds—not minutes.

2. Feature Comparisons

2.1 OmniScript Builder

  • Old vs. New List View

    • Clone and trim fields (Name, Type, Subtype, Description, Last Modified) for clarity.
    • New view supports inline search; old view does not.

  • Element Activation

    • Old: toggle “Disabled” in properties.
    • New: use the list-view toggle icon to gray-out elements.

  • Properties Access

    • Old: place element → switch to Properties tab.
    • New: drop element → edit inline without tab switching.

  • Global Setup

    • Old: buried under a Setup tab.
    • New: click the gear icon for script-level settings.

  • Canvas Resizing

    • New: collapse side panels to maximize workspace.
    • Old: panels have limited collapse.

2.2 FlexCard Builder

  • Mirror the OmniScript layout: elements left, properties right, actions top.
  • Design Assistant and faster preview/debug mirror OmniScript.
  • Data JSON and Action Debugger panes include search and highlighting.

2.3 Data Mapper Designer

  • Extract Tab

    • Old “Extract Step” → New “Extract Object” with clearer naming.
    • “Extract Object Path” moved to the top for visibility.

  • Filter Section

    • Field, operator, and value labels remain; the UI is tidier.

  • Mapping Tab

    • Old “Output” → New “Mapping.”
    • Quick-match lives under Mapping; add new mappings via a popup window, reducing accidental edits.

  • Lock & Read-Only Modes

    • Collapse sections to read-only; edit via pencil icon.
    • Buttons let you reorder filters or mappings without drag-and-drop only.

2.4 Integration Procedure Designer

  • Hybrid Layout

    • Collapsible containers (like Data Mapper) + element palette (like OmniScript/FlexCard).

  • Procedure Properties

    • Global settings moved from inline to a dedicated Properties panel.

  • Add Elements

    • Click “Add” to search & insert elements (HTTP, DataRaptor, etc.)—no need to drag from the palette.

  • Collapsible Summaries

    • Containers show a summary bar; expand for details.

  • Tabbed Configuration

    • Input, output, and failure response each get a separate tab—keeps the page concise.

  • Enhanced Debugging

    • Preview shows per-element status, elapsed time, inputs, and outputs for faster troubleshooting.

3. Known Limitations

  1. DataPack Import/Export

    • Not supported in standard designer; use Salesforce CLI or toggle back to Manage Package Designer.

  2. Compatibility

    • Components edited in standard designer won’t open in Manage Package Designer. Always create new versions when you switch.

  3. No “Deploy Standard LWC” Button

    • FlexCard and OmniScript LWC activation must be handled manually; test thoroughly if you embed on Experience Cloud.

  4. Open Issues

    • At launch, ~12 known issues affected UI and performance. Check Salesforce’s Known Issues page for “OmniStudio Standard Designer” to decide if you need to disable it until patches arrive.

4. Migration & Best Practices

  1. Enable Standard Designer by Default

    • New orgs default to standard designer; Manage Package Designer toggle will disappear by Summer 2026.

  2. Phased Rollout

    • Sandbox Testing:

      • Disable manage-package, create new versions of every OmniStudio component, activate & test.

    • Backup Versions:

      • If you must switch back, always clone your most recent active version first.

  3. Manage Package Toggle

    • Temporarily re-enable Manage Package Designer via OmniStudio ▶ Settings to import/export DataPacks.

  4. Regression Checklist

    • Validate OmniScripts, FlexCards, Data Mappers, Integration Procedures in both interfaces.
    • Confirm LWC activation processes.
    • Log any blockers and check Known Issues or open a support case.

5. Recap

The new standard OmniStudio Designer offers:

  • A unified, Flow-style interface across all components
  • Faster drag-and-drop, previews, and activations
  • Inline editing and design assistance
  • Improved list views and search

Before you flip the switch in production, clone your list views for clarity, test every component in a sandbox, and keep backups of your active versions. By summer 2026, the standard designer becomes the only game in town—so start adapting today!