How can Flow Builder effectively retrieve external data and create records in Salesforce?

Using a Named Credential in Salesforce along with an Action element is an effective way to retrieve external data and create records in Salesforce. Named Credentials provide a secure way to authenticate and manage communication with external systems, allowing flows to connect to and access data from these systems without needing to manage authentication details in the flow itself.

When a Named Credential is set up, it encapsulates the endpoint URL as well as the authentication method (e.g., OAuth, username/password), making it easier to retrieve data from an external service. By incorporating this into an Action element within Flow Builder, you can invoke a callout to the external service, retrieve relevant data, and subsequently utilize that data to create records in Salesforce. This integration streamlines the process and enhances automation capabilities without writing extensive code, ensuring a fluid experience.

The other options do not effectively utilize Named Credentials or are not appropriate for the task.