Update picklist value and add it in record type using apex

Legacy Approach

Previously, I used to use Apex Metadata Service (https://andyinthecloud.com/2013/10/27/introduction-to-calling-the-metadata-api-from-apex/); but it requires to import all code for even a small requirement. After, release of Tooling API, I find it lifesaver for such implementation.

Below given approach is with help of Tooling api.

Here is one Salesforce stackexchange question: https://salesforce.stackexchange.com/questions/162390/how-to-update-picklist-values-along-with-record-types-using-metadataservice

New Approach

• This protoype is achieved using tooling api and workbench
• Need to refine – remove unwanted metadata in request. If you want to remove then its ok as well.
• If you just want to update/create picklist field then you will have to just make first HTTP request given below.
• First http call to add/remove/update picklist value.
• Second http call to add new value in record type.

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First HTTP Call to Update Picklist Field

PATCH

/services/data/v41.0/tooling/sobjects/CustomField/00N540000071QJG

Here is JSON Body that has to be sent as request body in this callout: https://github.com/ayub-ansari/Create-Picklist-Field-Using-Apex/blob/master/FirstHTTPRequestToUpdatePicklistField

Note:

• Replace Custom field Id with your custom field in above given endpoint.
• Please copy the request body carefully and replace the picklist field metadata. In the given example, we are updating a picklist field “Competitor__c” on Object “Opportunity”. You will have to replace all values, labels and api names.
• Optionally, there is a trick to get picklist field metadata as well. You can get that using workbench –> Rest Explorer and hit /services/data/v48.0/tooling/sobjects/CustomField/00N9000000DHfrM where ‘00N9000000DHfrM is existing field with same data type. this call will return json response where you can extract metadata and manipulate as per your requirement.
• An important note that, if you are just updating picklist value and there is no controlling field then you may face an error – “Cannot deserialize instance of complexvalue from VALUE_NULL value null or request may be missing a required field”. This is coming because attribute “valueSettings” is set to null but actually it should be []. So replace null with []. You will be able to save it.

2nd HTTP Call to Update Record Type to Include New Picklist Values

PATCH

/services/data/v41.0/tooling/sobjects/RecordType/012f20000009x5X

Please find here example of metadata JSON Request Body: https://github.com/ayub-ansari/Create-Picklist-Field-Using-Apex/blob/master/SecondHTTPRequestToUpdateRecordTypes

Note:

• Replace the record type id with your id in given endpoint.
• Please copy the request body carefully and replace the picklist field metadata. In the given example and replace the values with your metadata.
• Optionally, there is a trick to get picklist field metadata as well. You can get that using workbench –> Rest Explorer and hit /services/data/v48.0/tooling/sobjects/RecordType/012f20000009x5X is existing record type. This call will return JSON response where you can extract metadata and manipulate as per your requirement.

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