How to Configure SAML Single Sign-On with Salesforce as the Identity Provider | Salesforce

Tutorial: How to Configure SAML Single Sign-On with Salesforce as the Identity Provider

Channel: Salesforce Support

Description: Configure SAML single sign-on with a Salesforce org acting as the identity provider for an external sample application acting as the service provider.

1. Introduction to SAML Single Sign-On:

   • SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is a standard for logging users into applications.
   • In this tutorial, we will configure SAML Single Sign-On with Salesforce as the Identity Provider.

2. Accessing Salesforce Setup:

   • Log in to your Salesforce org as an administrator.
   • Navigate to Setup by clicking on your profile icon and selecting Setup from the dropdown menu.

3. Enabling Single Sign-On Settings:

   • In Setup, search for "Single Sign-On Settings" in the Quick Find box.
   • Click on Single Sign-On Settings and select "Edit" to configure SAML settings.

4. Configuring SAML Settings:

   • Enter the required information such as Issuer, Identity Provider Certificate, and Identity Provider Login URL.
   • Save the settings and note down the Salesforce Single Sign-On URL.

5. Configuring Service Provider (External Application):

   • Access the settings of your external sample application acting as the service provider.
   • Locate the SAML configuration section and enter the details provided by Salesforce.
   • Save the settings to establish the connection between the Identity Provider (Salesforce) and Service Provider (External Application).

6. Testing the SAML Single Sign-On Configuration:

   • Access the login page of the external sample application.
   • Click on the Single Sign-On (SSO) option to initiate the SAML authentication process.
   • You will be redirected to the Salesforce login page to authenticate.
   • Upon successful authentication, you will be logged in to the external application using SAML SSO.

7. Troubleshooting and Additional Resources:

   • If you encounter any issues during the configuration, refer to Salesforce documentation or seek support from Salesforce Community.
   • Stay updated with best practices and tips for managing SAML SSO configurations with Salesforce.

By following these steps, you can successfully configure SAML Single Sign-On with Salesforce as the Identity Provider for your external applications.