Configure and use address formats

Before you begin

• Prepare the target countries, regions, and required administrative divisions in Country/Region Management.
• Your account can access Setup > Enterprise Settings > Address Formats and configure the target object.
• The business object uses a Dynamic Address field. A standard Region Locator field does not use address formats.

Create an address format

1. Go to Setup > Enterprise Settings > Address Formats and select New.
2. Enter the format name and apiName.
3. Select one or more applicable countries or regions.
4. Decide whether it is the default. A country or region can have several formats but only one default.
5. Configure the form and text-composition formats, then save.

Configure the form format

1. Select the address subfields to display.
2. Mark required fields according to business rules. A newly required field is validated when a historical record is edited again.
3. Change display labels. The same field can be Province in one country and State in another, and labels support multiple languages.
4. Configure line breaks and width, and drag fields into order.
5. Select Form Format Preview and inspect the result.

Configure text composition

1. Select the fields to include.
2. Configure order, line breaks, spaces, prefixes, and suffixes.
3. For option fields, enable Use Property Instead when needed, such as using a country code instead of a country name.
4. Preview the result for empty fields, postal codes, and multiline addresses.
5. Save and enable the format.

Use the format on a business object

1. Create one Dynamic Address field on the target object and add it to create/edit, detail, and list layouts.
2. Create a record as an employee and select the target country or region.
3. Confirm that the default format applies and that another enabled format can be selected when available.
4. Enter and save the address. Check both structured subfields and the formatted address.
5. Edit the record again, view it in a list, and export it to verify display and composition.

Historical data and disablement

• Changing a format does not rewrite historical addresses in bulk. New and subsequently edited addresses use the latest rules.
• Hiding a subfield that already has a value does not clear the historical value, but the field is hidden on the next edit.
• A disabled format is unavailable for new addresses. Disable a format before deleting it.
• An object supports at most one Dynamic Address field. Disabled fields still count toward the limit.

[!WARNING] Address formats can be used by print output, logistics, customs clearance, payment validation, and external integrations. Regression-test these downstream scenarios before changing field order or composition.

Troubleshoot

• Wrong format on a new record: Confirm that the selected country or region is associated with an enabled format and has exactly one default.
• Standard address control still appears: Confirm that the field is Dynamic Address, not Region Locator, and is present on the layout.
• Historical records do not change after a format update: This is expected. Create a test record or edit a historical record to validate the new rules.
• List, print, or export output differs from the form: Check Form Format and Text Composition Format separately, including order, spaces, line breaks, affixes, and Use Property Instead.
• Format cannot be deleted: Confirm that it is disabled and no usage constraint remains. Retain the configuration and affected-object inventory before production deletion.

Related topics

• Countries, regions, and address formats
• Manage countries, regions, and administrative divisions