Salesforce Admin Certification Practice Test 2025 - Free Salesforce Admin Exam Questions and Study Guide

The distinction between 'Public Read Only' and 'Public Read/Write' sharing settings is fundamentally about the level of access granted to users regarding records in Salesforce.

In a 'Public Read Only' setting, users can view records but are restricted from making any changes to them. This is ideal in scenarios where you want a broad audience to have visibility into the data without the risk of unauthorized modifications. It ensures that sensitive information remains intact and prevents any accidental or deliberate alterations by those who only need to see but not edit the data.

In contrast, 'Public Read/Write' allows users not only to view the records but also to modify them as needed. This setting is beneficial in collaborative environments where multiple users need to have the ability to update or add information to records, facilitating teamwork and efficiency.

Understanding these differences is crucial for configuring data access appropriately to meet organizational needs while maintaining data integrity and security.