View setup and configuration permission salesforce

In Salesforce, the View Setup and Configuration permission is a system-critical tool that allows users to view administrative and setup settings without making modifications. This permission is essential for users who need to audit, troubleshoot, or analyze system configurations, object settings, and metadata without making unintended changes.

Mastering the assignment, management, and control of the View Setup and Configuration permission enables you to grant necessary access without compromising security or data integrity. This knowledge ensures you maintain control and that the system operates optimally.

This guide covers:

• What does the View Setup and Configuration permission do?
• Who needs this permission?
• How do you enable and assign it?
• What are the security risks and considerations?
• What are best practices for managing permissions in Salesforce?

What is View Setup and Configuration Permission?

The View Setup and Configuration permission grants users read-only access to Salesforce setup and administrative settings. Users with this permission can:

• View app setup and administrative settings
• Access object configurations, record types, page layouts, and field-level security
• Run user reports and view the setup audit trail
• Check field accessibility for users
• Review installed packages and metadata components
• Analyze org-wide settings, sharing rules, and role hierarchies

However, users cannot modify any settings unless they have additional permissions, such as Customize Application.

Who Needs View Setup and Configuration Permission?

This permission is primarily assigned to business users, auditors, and IT teams who need to analyze Salesforce system configurations without making changes.

For example, if a business analyst needs to check object settings but does not need to modify them, they should be given View Setup and Configurationaccess instead of full administrative rights.

How to Enable View Setup and Configuration Permission?

To grant View Setup and Configuration permission, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Permission Set

• Log in to Salesforce as an Admin.
• Navigate to Setup (⚙️ Gear Icon).
• Search for Permission Sets in the Quick Find Box.
• Click New Permission Set.
• Enter a Label and API Name.
• Select the User License Type (e.g., Salesforce, Service Cloud, etc.).
• Click Save.

Step 2: Assign View Setup and Configuration Permission

• Open the Permission Set.
• Scroll down to System Permissions.
• Click Edit.
• Locate View Setup and Configuration and check the box.
• Click Save.

Step 3: Assign the Permission Set to Users

• Open the Permission Set.
• Click Manage Assignments → Add Assignments.
• Select the Users who need this permission.
• Click Assign → Done.

The selected users now have read-only access to setup and configuration settings.

Security Considerations & Risks

While the View Setup and Configuration permission is read-only, it is important to be aware of the potential security risks it poses. Understanding these risks will help you navigate the system cautiously and maintain data security.

• Exposes Setup Data: Users can view critical configurations such as APEX classes, workflow rules, and security settings.
• Potential Compliance Risks: If sensitive business logic is visible, unauthorized access may result in compliance issues.
• Indirect Data Exposure: Users can access metadata, object structures, and user roles, which could be used to infer business processes.

Best Practice: Restrict this permission to users who absolutely need it. Do not grant it to Standard Users unless necessary.

Best Practices for Managing View Setup and Configuration Permission

• Use Permission Sets Instead of Profiles: Assign permissions through Permission Sets to simplify access control.
• Follow the Least Privilege Principle: Grant this permission only to users who truly need it.
• Monitor User Activity: Use Setup Audit Trail to track which users view system configurations.
• Regularly Review Permissions: Conduct quarterly security audits to remove unnecessary access.
• Combine with Other Read-Only Permissions: For enhanced security, combine this permission with “Read All Data” rather than granting full administrative privileges.

Common Use Cases for View Setup and Configuration Permission

• Security Audits: Compliance teams check Salesforce Shield settings.
• Metadata Analysis: Developers review API names and object structures before integration.
• User Access Review: IT teams validate role hierarchies and sharing rules.
• Installed Package Review: Business analysts examine managed app configurations.
• Troubleshooting Lightning Pages: Some Lightning components and Visualforce pages require this permission for users to access them.

Limitations of View Setup and Configuration Permission

Workaround: If users need read access to Process Builders, assign ‘Manage Flow’ and ‘View All Data’ along with ‘View Setup and Configuration’. This workaround allows users to access Process Builders even without specific permission.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion

The View Setup and Configuration permission in Salesforce is essential for organizations that require transparency, compliance, and troubleshooting capabilities without granting full administrative rights.

By following best practices in assigning and managing this permission, businesses can enhance security, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain system integrity.