[SOLVED] Einstein Activity Capture Plugin Dependency

Understanding plugin needs and automatic contact creation settings in Salesforce.

3 min read
Updated: March 27, 2025
Sartaj Bahra
Written by
Sartaj Malhi
Einstein Activity Capture Workflow
Source: Salesforce

Introduction

Salesforce users often ask if Einstein Activity Capture really needs the Salesforce for Outlook plugin. They also wonder how contacts can be automatically created in account records and where to set up these rules. These issues can slow down work and lead to data errors. The following example shows a common challenge and explains how to fix it.

Real-world Experience

Imagine a user puzzled by plugin requirements and contact setup issues.

I've been wondering if Einstein Activity Capture really needs the Salesforce for Outlook plugin. Also, how is it supposed to automatically add contacts within accounts and where do I set that up?

— Trailblazer Community Member
source

This case mirrors many users' experiences where uncertainty about integration and auto-creation of contacts hampers a smooth workflow.

Einstein Activity Capture Solution

The solution starts by understanding that Einstein Activity Capture does not require the Salesforce for Outlook plugin. It directly links your email system to Salesforce. For automatic contact creation, proper criteria must be set up in your Salesforce configuration. Below are the steps needed to resolve this issue:

1

Verify Email Integration

Open the Setup menu in Salesforce. Check the Email Integration settings to make sure your email system is connected properly.

2

Review Einstein Settings

Go to the Einstein Activity Capture settings. Confirm that the features for contact creation are turned on and configured correctly.

3

Configure Contact Criteria

Find the section for setting criteria. Define clear rules based on email activities to trigger automatic contact creation.

4

Test the Configuration

Send a test email and review Salesforce. Make sure that new contacts are created as expected according to your rules.

Limitations to Consider

This configuration works well for many cases, but it may lead to duplicate contacts or miss some subtle triggers. Over time, refining criteria might be necessary to better match your unique business needs.

Alternative Solution

It can be very frustrating when Einstein Activity Capture doesn't quite meet your needs, especially with issues like the Salesforce for Outlook plugin dependency and contact creation challenges. DryMerge offers an alternative that is designed to tackle these very issues. DryMerge is an AI-native app that works directly with Salesforce and the Salesforce for Outlook plugin to keep your information accurately updated. The app reviews your emails and calendar events, pulling out essential details to update Salesforce records. This approach helps prevent errors such as duplicate contacts or missed information. Its AI capabilities make sure only the most relevant data is used to support your workflow, providing a smoother process and reducing the extra work you might otherwise face.

EAC vs. DryMerge Comparison

Feature Einstein Activity Capture DryMerge
Custom Object Sync
Automatic sync to custom objects isn't supported
Emails, calendar events, and anything else can be synced to your custom objects in Salesforce
Email Attachments
Attachments are not captured or saved to Salesforce
Email attachments are captured and saved in Salesforce however you need
Multiple Email Accounts
Cannot connect to both Gmail and Outlook simultaneously
Connects to both Gmail and Outlook simultaneously
Unstructured Data Processing
Limited ability to extract and organize meaningful data from unstructured email content
AI processing of unstructured email content to extract key details and create structured records
Data Enrichment
Basic activity logging with minimal data enrichment capabilities
Intelligent enrichment that pulls contact details, action items, and key insights from communication data

By addressing these key limitations of Einstein Activity Capture, DryMerge offers a comprehensive solution that empowers your team with superior data handling capabilities. From intelligent processing of unstructured data to advanced enrichment features, DryMerge transforms your communication data into actionable insights while providing the flexibility to work with custom objects and multiple email accounts.

Tired of Einstein Activity Capture issues?

We'd love to show you how DryMerge handles emails, calendar events, and unstructured data extraction more reliably and accurately than Einstein Activity Capture.

Frequently Asked Questions