Salesforce Metadata Backup

As of April 2025, GRAX only performs incremental metadata backups. GRAX will take a snapshot of any new files or ones that have changed since the previous backup. For example, if a file was added on Monday, modified on Wednesday, and rolled back to the original version on Friday, GRAX will only save the three versions from Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

GRAX supports periodic backup of all possible metadata objects from Salesforce. GRAX stores your metadata in the customer-owned storage solution (S3, Azure, etc), and the version history is available in the GRAX Diagnostics and Tools page.

Configuration / Setup

By default, GRAX checks for any new or changed metadata once per day. To change the metadata backup frequency, simply select a backup interval in the General Settings tab.

Metadata Backup Interval Setting

Metadata Backup Interval Selection Window

Working with Metadata Backups

The metadata backups are stored in the customer-owned storage solution (S3, Azure etc) and can be accessed with the Salesforce Metadata viewer in the GRAX Diagnostics and Tools page.

Getting to GRAX Tools List

Metadata Explorer in GRAX Tools List

Metadata files are grouped by Salesforce Object Type

Metadata Object Selection

Viewing Metadata File contents

To view the contents of a metadata file version, click the Visibility / Eye icon for the desired version, the file will be displayed above the version list.

View Metadata Object Version

Comparing Metadata Versions

To see the differences between 2 versions of a metadata file:

1. Click the "Compare" icons to select the 2 versions you want to diff.

2. Once 2 versions have been selected the "Compare" button above the version list will be enabled. Click it to open a list of the changes between the 2 selected versions.

Metadata Object Version Diff View

Downloading Metadata Versions

To download the contents of a metadata file version, click the "Download" icon for the desired version.

Metadata Object Version Download

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Salesforce API is used to determine what metadata is backed up?

We utilize the describeMetadata() API.

Additional documentation on Salesforce's metadata API can be found here.

Why does the Salesforce Metadata Tool in GRAX not show metadata for all of my objects?

This describeMetadata() API call retrieves the metadata that describes your organization. This information includes Apex classes and triggers, custom objects, custom fields on standard objects, tab sets that define an app, and many other metadata types. Standard objects without custom fields are not included in this data.