While scheduled duplicate rules handle ongoing detection, sometimes you need to find duplicates on demand. The Duplicate Search tool lets you instantly search across your Salesforce data to find and merge matching records—without waiting for a rule to run.
Data Doctor includes a built-in search tool designed specifically for finding duplicate records. Unlike standard Salesforce search, Duplicate Search uses the same intelligent matching logic as your duplicate rules—including fuzzy matching—to surface potential matches you might otherwise miss.
Access Duplicate Search from Data Doctor → Search in your Salesforce navigation. The search is available to any user with Data Doctor permissions.
Choose how broadly you want to search based on your needs:
Cross-Object Matching: Global search can identify duplicates that span different objects. For example, searching "John Smith" might reveal a Lead, Contact, and Person Account that all represent the same individual.
Results are grouped by potential match, showing you which records Data Doctor believes represent the same entity. Each group displays the matching records along with key identifying information.
Click any group to expand it and see the individual records. From here, you can open records in Salesforce to review them in detail, or proceed directly to merging.
Once you've found duplicates, you can merge them directly from the search results—no need to navigate elsewhere.
Check the boxes next to the records you want to merge. You can select two or more records from the same object. The first record you select becomes the suggested master record, though you can change this in the next step.
Click Merge Selected to open the merge preview. Here you'll see a side-by-side comparison of all selected records. Choose which record should be the master, and for each field, select which value to keep. Data Doctor highlights differences to help you make informed decisions.
Confirm your selections and click Merge Records. The duplicate records are merged into the master, child records are re-parented, and an artifact is created for full reversibility. The merge takes effect immediately.
Search before adding a new Lead, Contact, or Account to ensure the record doesn't already exist. This prevents duplicates from being created in the first place—the most effective form of duplicate management.
When manually entering records or preparing an import file, use Duplicate Search to identify existing records that might match incoming data. This helps you decide whether to create new records or update existing ones.
When a customer calls or emails, search their name or company to find all related records. If duplicates exist, merge them on the spot to consolidate the customer's history before responding.
When you notice a potential duplicate in your daily work, use Duplicate Search to find and merge it immediately rather than waiting for a scheduled rule to flag it.
Tip: Combine manual search with scheduled rules for comprehensive duplicate management. Rules catch duplicates systematically over time, while manual search handles immediate needs and edge cases.
Yes. Duplicate Search supports partial matching, so entering "Acme" will find "Acme Corporation," "Acme Inc," and similar variations. The fuzzy matching algorithm also catches typos and abbreviations.
By default, Duplicate Search looks at name fields, email addresses, phone numbers, and other common identifying fields. For object-specific searches, it uses the matching fields defined in your default duplicate rule for that object.
No. Merging requires records to be of the same object type. However, cross-object search results help you identify that duplicates exist across objects, which you can then address through Lead conversion or other appropriate processes.
Need Help? If you have questions about using Duplicate Search or need assistance with complex merge scenarios, contact our support team.
