Version management

Avonni Dynamic Components include built-in version management, allowing you to save multiple versions of your components, track changes, and easily switch between different versions. This feature is similar to version control in Salesforce Flow Builder, but tailored for Dynamic Components.

Overview

Version management provides several key benefits:

• Safe Experimentation: Create and test changes in a new version without affecting the live version used on your pages.

• Change Tracking: Maintain a history of modifications, making it easy to see how a component has evolved.

• Rollback: Quickly revert to a previous, working version if a new version has issues.

• Organized Development: Separate experimental changes from stable, production-ready versions.

Key Concepts

• Multiple Versions: You can save many versions of a single Dynamic Component. There's no limit.

• Active Version: Only one version is "active" at a time. This version is displayed when you add the component to a Salesforce page.

• Independent Versions: Each version is a separate copy. Changes to one version do not affect others until you activate a different version.

Managing Versions (Avonni Components App)

You manage component versions from the Avonni Dynamic Components home page within the Avonni Components app:

1. Access the App: From the Salesforce App Launcher (nine-dot grid), open the "Avonni Components" app.

2. Find Your Component: Locate the Dynamic Component you want to manage in the list.

3. View Versions: Click the dropdown arrow (or similar control) next to the component's name. This expands to show all saved versions.

4. Identify the Active Version: The active version will be indicated (e.g., with a checkmark, label, or distinct styling).

Saving a New Version

1. Open and Edit: Open the Dynamic Component in the Component Builder and make changes.

2. Save as New Version: Instead of clicking "Save" (which would overwrite the current version), select the option to save as a new version. This creates a new version, leaving the active version unchanged.

3. Automatic Versioning: Avonni Dynamic Components automatically assigns a new version number (e.g., incrementing from Version 1 to Version 2).

Activating a Version

To make a specific version of your component live (the one displayed on pages):

1. Go to the Home Page: Navigate to the Avonni Dynamic Components home page.

2. Find Your Component: Locate your component in the list.

3. View Versions: Expand the list of versions.

4. Open in edition the targeted version: Click the dropdown arrow (or similar control) next to the version you want to activate, and select edit..

5. Activate: Click the Activate button.. This makes the selected version active and deactivates the previously active version.

Deleting a Version

Deleting versions directly is a bit more complex, as Avonni Dynamic Components uses Custom Metadata Types for storage. Here are best practices to handle this.

1. Archive unused version: Before deleting, make sure that the version is not the active version. Click on the non-active version, and click on the Archive button. Archiving a version removes it from the primary component list, but does not permanently delete it.

2. Go to the Archived Folder: Navigate to the archive section.

3. Delete the version: Select the option to delete from the dropdown action menu.

Important Notes about Deletion

• Cannot Delete Active Version: You cannot directly delete the active version. You must first activate a different version.

• Permanent Deletion (Advanced - Use with Extreme Caution): Avonni Dynamic Components are stored as Custom Metadata Types in Salesforce. Directly deleting Custom Metadata Type records is possible, but experienced administrators should only do it with extreme caution. It is not generally recommended. Archiving is usually sufficient.

• Backup: Always back up your Salesforce data before making significant changes, including deleting metadata.

Example: Testing a New Button

1. You have a Dynamic Component named "ContactForm," and Version 1 is currently active.

2. You want to add a new button to the form, but you want to test it without affecting your users.

3. You open "ContactForm" in the Component Builder and add the button.

4. You save this as a new version (Version 2).

5. You do not activate Version 2 yet. Version 1 remains the active version.

6. You test Version 2 (you might have a test page where you can specifically preview inactive versions).

7. Once you're satisfied with the changes, you go to the Avonni Dynamic Components home page, find "ContactForm," and activate Version 2. Version 1 becomes inactive, and Version 2 is now live.