Mastering Page Layouts in Salesforce

Page layouts in Salesforce play a pivotal role in shaping the user experience by controlling the organization and visibility of fields, buttons, and related lists on a record page. Whether you are a Salesforce administrator or developer, understanding page layouts can significantly enhance productivity and user satisfaction. In this article, we delve into the nuances of page layouts, how they differ from record types, and best practices for their implementation.

What Are Page Layouts in Salesforce?

Page layouts are customizable configurations that determine how data is presented on a record page. They dictate the placement of fields, sections, buttons, related lists, and other elements on a record’s detail page. Page layouts allow administrators to:

• Control which fields are visible and required for users.
• Organize sections for better readability.
• Customize actions, such as buttons and links, based on user needs.
• Manage related lists to streamline data access.

Key Features of Page Layouts

1. Field Customization:
   • Specify whether a field is visible, read-only, or required.
   • Organize fields into sections for logical grouping.
2. Sections and Layouts:
   • Create custom sections to group related fields together.
   • Adjust the number of columns and layout width to optimize space.
3. Buttons and Quick Actions:
   • Customize action buttons displayed at the top of the page or in the highlights panel.
   • Add or remove standard and custom actions based on user requirements.
4. Related Lists:
   • Choose which related lists appear and in what order.
   • Configure related list fields for enhanced data accessibility.
5. Profiles and Page Layout Assignments:
   • Assign page layouts to different profiles, ensuring a tailored experience for users based on their roles.

How to Create and Manage Page Layouts

• Go to Setup, then Object Manager, and select the object for which you want to create or modify a page layout.

• Under the Page Layouts section, click “New” or edit an existing layout.

• Customize the layout by dragging and dropping fields, buttons, sections, or related lists and save the page layout.

Before

After

Use the Page Layout Assignment button to associate specific layouts with profiles or record types.

• Test the page layout by logging in as different profiles to ensure it meets user needs.

Differences Between Page Layouts and Record Types

While page layouts and record types are often used together, they serve distinct purposes in Salesforce:

	Page Layouts	Record Types
Purpose	Control the UI and arrangement of data on a record page.	Enable differentiation in business processes and picklist values.
Scope	Determine the fields, sections, buttons, and related lists visible to users.	Define variations in data and functionality, such as different sales processes or support workflows.
Customization	Focused on the presentation of data.	Focused on business logic and process.
Profiles	Can be assigned directly to user profiles.	Often combined with page layouts for granular customization.
Flexibility	Does not differentiate between record types; it applies universally within its assignment.	Requires page layouts for UI adjustments; cannot modify UI independently.
When to use	You want to organize fields and sections for better readability.The goal is to control the visibility of fields and related lists without changing underlying business logic.Specific user profiles require different layouts for the same data.	Your business requires different processes for the same object (e.g., “B2B Sales” and “B2C Sales”).Picklist values need to vary based on the context of the record.You want to associate different page layouts for specific record types.

Best Practices for Using Page Layouts

1. Keep Layouts Simple:
   • Avoid clutter by displaying only essential fields and related lists.
   • Use sections to logically group fields for better navigation.
2. Leverage Profiles for Customization:
   • Assign different page layouts to profiles based on role requirements.
   • Regularly review assignments to ensure they align with user needs.
3. Utilize Conditional Visibility:
   • Use Salesforce Dynamic Forms to make fields and sections conditionally visible based on user input or record data.
4. Document Changes:
   • Maintain documentation for all page layout customizations, including their purpose and profile assignments.
5. Test Thoroughly:
   • Test page layouts across profiles, record types, and devices to ensure consistency and usability.

Advanced Tips that Enhance Page Layouts

Use Compact Layouts for Highlights Panel

Compact layouts determine the fields displayed in the highlights panel at the top of a record page. Configure these to surface critical information at a glance.

Dynamic Forms

Dynamic Forms allow field and section visibility to be controlled by logic, providing a more tailored experience. For example:

• Show a “Discount Reason” field only if a discount is applied.
• Display SLA fields only for high-priority cases.

Mobile-Optimized Layouts

Ensure page layouts are optimized for mobile users by:

• Reducing the number of visible fields and sections.
• Prioritizing critical information for on-the-go access.

Conclusion

Page layouts are the backbone of a user-friendly Salesforce environment. By customizing layouts thoughtfully and leveraging their synergy with record types, administrators can create a seamless, role-specific experience for users. Whether you’re organizing fields, defining actions, or optimizing for mobile, page layouts ensure that the right data is accessible to the right users at the right time.

By understanding the unique capabilities and interplay of page layouts and record types, you can create a Salesforce instance that not only meets business needs but also delights users. Start exploring and experimenting with page layouts today to unlock their full potential!