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Migration guide · Salesforce Modernization

Salesforce Classic to Lightning Experience migration

Salesforce ClassicLightning Experience

Short answer

Moving from Salesforce Classic to Lightning Experience replaces the older interface with Lightning pages, components and modern features, and is required to use Agentforce, dynamic forms and most new Salesforce capabilities.

Why firms make this move

Some long-running orgs still have users or customizations tied to Classic, such as JavaScript buttons, Visualforce pages and old page layouts. A Lightning transition replaces these, redesigns pages around how people work, and retrains users.

What moves

  • Page layouts as Lightning record pages
  • JavaScript buttons as quick actions or flows
  • Visualforce pages reviewed or rebuilt as Lightning components
  • Reports and dashboards checked in Lightning

How the data maps

FromTo
JavaScript buttonQuick action or screen flow
Visualforce pageLightning web component or flow
Page layoutLightning record page with dynamic forms

See the field-by-field map ↓

What to watch out for

  • Unsupported custom buttons
  • Visualforce that does not render well
  • User resistance without training

How Vantage Point runs the migration

  1. Readiness check
  2. Redesign key pages
  3. Rebuild incompatible customizations
  4. Pilot, train and switch

Typical timeline

Typically 3 to 8 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Can we use Agentforce in Classic?

No. Agentforce and most new Salesforce features require Lightning Experience.

Do we need to rebuild Visualforce pages?

Some work in Lightning as is; others should be rebuilt for usability and support.

Last reviewed October 2, 2026 by the Vantage Point team. Browse all migration paths →

Field-level map

Salesforce Classic to Lightning Experience: field by field

9 mappings we start from on this migration, 8 of which need a transform, a lookup or a decision. Every project gets its own signed-off version; this is the baseline.

FromToHowNotes
JavaScript buttonButton logic Quick action / Lightning component— req rebuild JavaScript buttons don't run in Lightning.
Visualforce pagePage Visualforce in Lightning or LWC— manual review Many pages work as-is. Test each one; rebuild the ones that don't.
S-ControlLogic LWC / Flow— rebuild
Page layoutLayout Lightning record pageDynamic Forms where supported rebuild
AttachmentAttachments FilesContentVersion derive Convert so files show in Lightning and can be shared.
Note (classic)Notes Enhanced NotesContentNote derive
Home page componentComponent Lightning home page— rebuild
Custom linkURL Custom link / action— direct
Console (Classic)Console app Lightning console app— rebuild

Field names are the platforms' standard API names; your org's custom fields are mapped during discovery. What the "How" labels mean

How labels
direct
Value copies across unchanged.
picklist map
Each source value is mapped to a target value.
lookup
Matched to an existing record, such as a user by email.
association
Becomes a relationship between records, loaded in a later pass.
derive
Calculated or cleaned during the load.
split / concat
One field becomes several, or several become one.
rebuild
Configuration or automation that is rebuilt rather than moved.
drop
Not migrated, deliberately.
manual review
Needs a decision with your team before the load.