Salesforce Custom Settings Using Hierarchy Custom Settings To Disable Workflow / Validation Rules
Example
Custom Setting
Custom Setting Field
Custom Setting Field Value
When the field is checked the validation rule will be disabled, for the running user or in this example, their profile -
The rule can also be disabled for a whole Salesforce org -
Validation Rule
AND(
/* the below is the reference to the Val_Rule_Cntrlr__c custom setting's checkbox field All_Opportunity_Disabled__c
*/
$Setup.Val_Rule_Cntrlr__c.All_Opportunity_Disabled__c = FALSE,
/* the below is the remainder of the validation rule's formula
*/
CloseDate < TODAY()
)
In the above rule, both pieces of criteria must evaluate to TRUE in order for the rule to be triggered.
Since All_Opportunity_Disabled__c checkbox will evaluate to TRUE when the running user's profile is System Administrator, the rule will evaluate to FALSE.
Workflow Rules
The same approach can be applied in order to deactivate Workflow Rules.
