What's Happening?
Salesforce for Outlook, the desktop integration that's connected Salesforce and Outlook for over a decade, is officially retiring in December 2027. This isn't news: Salesforce moved the product to maintenance-only mode back in 2019 and has signaled its end ever since. But many organizations are only now starting migration planning.
The retirement comes down to legacy technology. Salesforce for Outlook is a COM (Component Object Model) desktop add-in that integrates with Outlook's toolbar and menus, and it depends on Internet Explorer 11 to interpret the Apex calls behind its Salesforce-to-Outlook sync. As Salesforce winds down support for IE11, that dependency makes the product impossible to maintain. Rather than rebuild it, Salesforce is consolidating customers onto its modern, web-based replacements: the Outlook Integration add-in and Einstein Activity Capture, which run across Outlook desktop, web, and mobile.
This is a forced migration. After December 2027, Salesforce for Outlook will no longer be supported, and there's no guarantee it will keep functioning once Salesforce ends IE11 support. If your team relies on Salesforce for Outlook today, you need to plan your migration now.
Timeline: Key Dates You Need to Know
If you haven't started your migration planning yet, now is the time. You want to complete migration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute scrambles, user disruption, and compatibility issues as Microsoft continues evolving Outlook.
What You'll Lose and What You'll Keep
Salesforce for Outlook has been around for 15+ years, which means it accumulated a lot of features, some widely used, others niche. When you migrate, you'll keep most core functionality, but some legacy features won't have direct equivalents in modern tools.
What You'll Keep
- Email logging to Salesforce: All modern alternatives support email logging. You can continue relating emails to Contacts, Leads, Opportunities, and Cases.
- Contact sync: Two-way sync between Outlook contacts and Salesforce Contacts/Leads is available in Native Outlook Integration and Einstein Activity Capture.
- Calendar sync: Event sync between Outlook calendar and Salesforce Events is supported in Native Outlook Integration and Einstein Activity Capture.
- Record visibility: Viewing Salesforce records (Contact, Account, Opportunity details) from within Outlook is a core feature of Native Outlook Integration and third-party tools.
- Quick create: Creating new records (Tasks, Events, Contacts) from Outlook is supported in Native Outlook Integration.
What Changes or Is Lost
- Offline mode: Salesforce for Outlook allowed you to draft emails offline and sync later. Modern web-based add-ins require an internet connection.
- Custom toolbar buttons: COM add-ins could add custom buttons to Outlook's ribbon. Web-based add-ins use a sidebar approach instead.
- Desktop-only workflows: If your team built processes that depend on COM add-in-specific behaviors (like certain email processing scripts), those may need to be rebuilt.
- Screen Flow execution: Salesforce for Outlook didn't support Screen Flows natively, but some organizations had workarounds. Native Outlook Integration doesn't support Flows either, but third-party tools like FlowRunner now do.
For most teams, the core workflows (log emails, view records, create tasks) translate directly to modern alternatives. The migration is more about adapting to a new interface than losing critical functionality.
Your Migration Options
Salesforce recommends Native Outlook Integration and Einstein Activity Capture as the official replacements, but those aren't your only options. In 2026, you have four primary paths:
Option 1: Native Outlook Integration (Free with Salesforce)
What it is: Native Outlook Integration is Salesforce's official web-based Outlook add-in. It adds a sidebar to Outlook (desktop, web, and mobile) that shows Salesforce records related to the email you're viewing. You can log emails, create tasks and events, and view Contact, Lead, and Opportunity details.
How it works: Admins deploy the add-in from Salesforce Setup. Users install it in Outlook with one click. When you open an email, the sidebar appears, showing matched Salesforce records. Click "Relate" to log the email to a specific record.
Strengths: It's free (included with Salesforce licenses), officially supported, and designed to be a 1:1 replacement for the core features most teams used in Salesforce for Outlook. It works across Outlook desktop, web, and mobile, which Salesforce for Outlook never did.
Limitations: It's a sidebar tool, not a toolbar integration. Some users find the interface less convenient than Salesforce for Outlook's ribbon buttons. More importantly, it doesn't support Screen Flow execution or advanced automation. It's designed for email logging and record visibility, not process execution.
Best for: Teams that used Salesforce for Outlook primarily for email logging and contact sync, organizations that want to stick with Salesforce's official tools, and teams that don't need custom process automation from Outlook.
Option 2: Einstein Activity Capture (Automatic Background Sync)
What it is: Einstein Activity Capture is Salesforce's automatic email and calendar sync tool. Unlike Native Outlook Integration (which requires manual logging), Einstein Activity Capture runs in the background and syncs emails and events automatically based on rules you configure.
How it works: Admins configure sync rules—which users to sync for, which email domains to include, how to match emails to Salesforce records. Once enabled, Einstein Activity Capture monitors users' Outlook accounts and automatically creates Email Message and Event records in Salesforce. No add-in, no sidebar, no user action required.
Strengths: It's fully automatic, which means 100% compliance without user training. Reps don't have to remember to log emails. It just happens. And it works across all email clients (Outlook, Gmail, mobile) without any client-side setup beyond OAuth connection.
Limitations: It's expensive—$25/user/month as a standalone add-on, or included with Sales Cloud Einstein at $50/user/month. And it's passive. You get automatic logging, but no sidebar for viewing records, no manual logging controls, and no ability to execute processes or Flows from Outlook.
Best for: Teams that need automatic activity capture for compliance or analytics, organizations that already have Sales Cloud Einstein, or companies willing to pay for hands-free email logging.
Option 3: FlowRunner (Screen Flow Execution in Outlook)
What it is: FlowRunner is a modern Outlook add-in designed specifically to run Salesforce Screen Flows directly in Outlook. If your team has built custom qualification processes, opportunity update Flows, or case routing logic in Salesforce, FlowRunner brings those Flows into Outlook.
How it works: Admins configure which Screen Flows should appear in Outlook and under what conditions (e.g., "Show Lead Qualification Flow when viewing emails from unknown senders"). Reps open an email in Outlook, see available Flows in the FlowRunner sidebar, click to launch, complete the Flow, and save. The Flow runs in the same UI as Salesforce, but embedded in Outlook.
Strengths: It's the only Outlook integration that supports full Screen Flow execution. If Salesforce for Outlook users relied on custom processes or if your team has built Flows that aren't being adopted because reps won't open Salesforce, FlowRunner solves that. Admins keep full control. No third-party platform to learn, no lock-in.
Limitations: It's Flow-focused. If you need email tracking analytics, calendar sync, or sales engagement features (templates, sequences), FlowRunner doesn't provide those. It's designed for teams that use Screen Flows and need adoption.
Best for: Teams migrating from Salesforce for Outlook who want to preserve or add custom process automation, admins who've built Screen Flows and want reps to actually use them, and organizations that prioritize admin control over feature breadth.
Option 4: Cirrus Insight and Other Third-Party Tools
What they are: Third-party Outlook integrations like Cirrus Insight, Revenue Grid, and others offer comprehensive sales engagement platforms that include Salesforce sync plus additional features like email templates, tracking, scheduling, and analytics.
How they work: These are full-featured platforms. You get an Outlook add-in with Salesforce record visibility and email logging, plus sales engagement tools like email templates with merge fields, send tracking, link tracking, meeting scheduling, and cadence/sequence automation.
Strengths: If you need more than just Salesforce sync (email tracking, templates, analytics, engagement automation) these platforms deliver. Cirrus Insight, for example, has been in the market since 2011 and is mature and well-documented.
Limitations: They're expensive. Cirrus Insight ranges from $29 to $59 per user per month. Revenue Grid is enterprise-priced (custom quotes). And they don't support Screen Flow execution. They're designed for sales engagement, not Salesforce process automation.
Best for: Teams migrating from Salesforce for Outlook who also want to add sales engagement features, organizations willing to pay for a comprehensive platform, and companies that value email tracking and templates over Flow execution.
Comparison Table: Migration Options
| Option | Approach | Pricing | Screen Flows | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native Outlook Integration | Sidebar, manual logging | Free (with Salesforce) | View records, log emails, create tasks/events | |
| Einstein Activity Capture | Automatic background sync | $25-50/user/month | Auto-sync emails, calendar, contact sync | |
| FlowRunner | Screen Flow execution | From €12/user/month | Run custom Flows, admin-controlled, lookup records | |
| Cirrus Insight | Sales engagement platform | $29-59/user/month | Templates, tracking, calendar sync, analytics |
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
Migrating away from Salesforce for Outlook isn't just a technical task. It's a change management project. Here's how to approach it:
Step 1: Audit Your Current Usage
Before choosing a replacement, understand how your team actually uses Salesforce for Outlook today. Don't just ask. Look at the data.
- Which features are actively used? Check Activity reports to see email logging volume, contact sync frequency, task creation rates. If 80% of usage is email logging and 5% is everything else, that changes your requirements.
- Who uses it most? Some teams have power users who rely on every feature, and casual users who log the occasional email. Segment your users to understand different needs.
- Are there custom configurations? Some orgs have custom Salesforce for Outlook configurations—modified field layouts, custom email templates, specific sync rules. Document these before migration.
- What's the actual pain point? Ask reps: what works well, what's frustrating, what's missing? The migration is an opportunity to fix old problems, not just replicate them.
Step 2: Choose Your Replacement
Based on your audit, map your requirements to the available options:
- If you just need email logging and record visibility: Native Outlook Integration (free) is sufficient.
- If you need automatic sync for compliance: Einstein Activity Capture is the best option.
- If you use or want to use Screen Flows from Outlook: FlowRunner is purpose-built for that.
- If you want email tracking, templates, and engagement features: Cirrus Insight or Revenue Grid are comprehensive solutions.
- If you need both manual and automatic logging: Combine Native Outlook Integration + Einstein Activity Capture.
Don't skip the pilot. Test your chosen replacement with 5-10 power users before rolling out org-wide. Collect feedback, identify gaps, and refine your configuration.
Step 3: Deploy the New Tool
Once you've chosen a replacement and completed a successful pilot, plan your rollout:
- Admin setup: Configure the new tool in Salesforce. For Native Outlook Integration, this means adding the Lightning App in Setup. For Einstein Activity Capture, configure sync rules. For FlowRunner, select which Flows to expose. For third-party tools, complete the integration setup.
- User deployment: Roll out in phases. Start with early adopters who participated in the pilot, then expand to broader teams. Avoid org-wide "big bang" deployments—they create support nightmares.
- Overlap period: Keep Salesforce for Outlook active during the transition. Let users run both tools in parallel for 2-4 weeks. This reduces pressure and gives users time to adapt.
- Communication: Explain why the migration is happening (Salesforce is ending support for the product's legacy IE11 dependency, not acting on a whim), what's changing, and where to get help. Don't just announce—educate.
Step 4: Train Your Team
Training isn't optional. Even if the new tool "does the same thing," the interface and workflow are different. Effective training reduces adoption friction and support tickets.
- Recorded demos: Create 2-5 minute videos showing common tasks: "How to log an email," "How to view a Contact," "How to create a Task." Keep them short and task-focused.
- Office hours: Schedule live Q&A sessions in the first 2 weeks post-deployment. Let users ask questions, demonstrate workflows, and troubleshoot in real time.
- Documentation: Provide a quick-start guide with screenshots. Don't write a novel—just cover the top 5 tasks users will do daily.
- Champions: Identify 1-2 power users per team who can help their colleagues. Train them first, make them experts, and empower them to support their peers.
Step 5: Decommission Salesforce for Outlook
Once your team is comfortable with the new tool and usage of Salesforce for Outlook has dropped to near-zero, it's time to decommission:
- Set a cutoff date: Give users advance notice: "Salesforce for Outlook will be disabled on [date]." Make it at least 2 weeks out.
- Remove installation packages: If you deployed Salesforce for Outlook via Group Policy or MDM, remove the deployment policy.
- Uninstall from workstations: Some organizations uninstall remotely via IT; others ask users to uninstall themselves.
- Verify data continuity: Confirm that emails, contacts, and events are still syncing correctly via the new tool. Spot-check a few records to ensure nothing was lost in transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Salesforce for Outlook retiring?
Salesforce for Outlook is scheduled for full retirement in December 2027, extended from the original June 2024 date. The retirement is driven by the product's dependency on legacy technology: it relies on Internet Explorer 11 to interpret the Apex calls behind its sync, and Salesforce no longer supports IE11. Salesforce is moving customers to its modern web-based replacements, the Outlook Integration add-in and Einstein Activity Capture.
What is replacing Salesforce for Outlook?
Salesforce recommends migrating to one of four options: (1) Native Outlook Integration add-in for basic email logging and sidebar functionality, (2) Einstein Activity Capture for automatic email and calendar sync, (3) Third-party tools like FlowRunner for Screen Flow execution or Cirrus Insight for comprehensive engagement features, or (4) A combination of Native Outlook Integration plus Einstein Activity Capture for both manual and automatic workflows.
Will I lose functionality when migrating from Salesforce for Outlook?
Some functionality will change. You'll keep email logging, contact sync, calendar sync, and record visibility. However, certain legacy features like custom buttons in Outlook toolbars, offline mode for email drafts, and some advanced configuration options may not have direct equivalents in modern alternatives. Most teams find that Native Outlook Integration plus Einstein Activity Capture replicates 90% of their workflows, though the interface and approach differ.
Can I still run Salesforce Screen Flows from Outlook after the retirement?
Native Outlook Integration does not support Screen Flow execution. However, FlowRunner is a modern Outlook add-in specifically designed to run Salesforce Screen Flows directly in Outlook. If your team relies on custom Flows for lead qualification, opportunity updates, or other processes, FlowRunner provides a migration path that preserves that functionality.
Is the migration from Salesforce for Outlook free?
Native Outlook Integration is free with Salesforce licenses. Einstein Activity Capture costs $25/user/month standalone or is included with Sales Cloud Einstein at $50/user/month. Third-party tools like FlowRunner start at €12/user/month, while Cirrus Insight ranges from $29-$59/user/month. The total cost depends on which features you need and which replacement you choose.
Final Thoughts: Plan Now, Migrate Smoothly
The retirement of Salesforce for Outlook is a forced migration, but it's also an opportunity. You're not just replacing a legacy tool. You're modernizing your Salesforce-Outlook workflow. Modern alternatives work across desktop, web, and mobile. They support automatic sync, Screen Flow execution (with FlowRunner), and sales engagement features that Salesforce for Outlook never had.
The key is to start now. With over a year until retirement, you have time to audit your usage, pilot alternatives, and roll out in phases without disrupting your team. Don't wait until Q4 2027 when you're forced into a rushed migration.
Choose the replacement that matches your workflows. If you just need email logging, Native Outlook Integration is free and sufficient. If you need automatic sync, Einstein Activity Capture delivers. If you use Screen Flows and want adoption, FlowRunner is built for that. And if you want a comprehensive sales engagement platform, Cirrus Insight or Revenue Grid are mature options.
The deadline is real. The technology is ready. Start your migration planning now, and you'll migrate smoothly with zero disruption.