If I create Custom Metadata records in prod, and then I refresh my sandbox, will the Custom Metadata records I created in prod now be in my refreshed sandbox?
I'm considering migrating to a custom metadata type over a custom object, but I'm trying to figure out if it is worth the time.
Yes. All metadata is copied.
Refresh Your Sandbox
Refreshing a sandbox updates the sandbox’s metadata from its source org. If the sandbox is a clone or if it uses a sandbox template, the refresh process updates the org’s data in addition to its metadata.
I believe the question seems a little ambiguous and hence adding another answer.
Metadata and Custom Metadata Types are 2 entirely different things and showcase different behaviours, during Sandbox Refreshes.
Salesforce Metadata
Metadata in Salesforce is structural and to some extent behavioural information maintained by the platform for every artefact type created on the org, such as Custom Object, Custom Field, Apex Class etc. For e.g. When you define an object, the Label the API Name, Description and other details are the metadata.
Whenever a Sandbox is refreshed from a Production instance, this metadata gets copied over to the Sandbox and overwrites the existing stated of the Sandbox irrespective of the type of the Sandbox being refreshed. If you are referring to records or data stored within an object, then, those are copied over only in case of Full Copy and Partial Sandboxes using Sandbox Templates.
Custom Metadata Type
Custom Metadata Type on the other hand is a Custom Setting like entity that permits defining custom types which facilitate moving them across instances during deployment. The key advantage is metadata here, is stored as records thus providing the flexibility to transfer them across environments.
They are moved over when Sandboxes are refreshed irrespective of the type.
