Introduction
Salesforce Dynamic Forms are an innovative feature introduced to help businesses and admins create flexible, custom page layouts in Salesforce. With Dynamic Forms, users can build dynamic layouts that provide relevant fields to the right people based on their role, department, or needs. This improves user experience and allows admins to streamline page configuration without diving into complex coding.
In this article, we’ll explore what Salesforce Dynamic Forms are, how they work, and the best practices for using them to their full potential.
What are Salesforce Dynamic Forms?
Salesforce Dynamic Forms allow users to build highly customizable page layouts using drag-and-drop functionality. These forms give you control over individual field components and sections, making it easier to design layouts based on specific user needs.
Rather than relying on fixed page layouts, admins can dynamically adjust what fields appear on a page based on custom logic. For example, certain fields can be hidden or displayed based on a user’s role or a record’s status. This flexibility empowers businesses to create smarter, more efficient data input forms that improve workflow and boost productivity across teams.
Dynamic Forms are part of Salesforce’s move toward a more customizable, low-code platform, and they integrate seamlessly with the Salesforce Lightning interface, making it easier to manage and personalize your CRM experience.
Benefits of Using Dynamic Forms in Salesforce
Dynamic Forms offer several key benefits for Salesforce users. One of the most significant is the ability to create cleaner, more relevant layouts. By showing only the necessary fields to the right users, Dynamic Forms eliminate clutter, improve user adoption, and streamline workflows.
Another benefit is improved flexibility. Admins can make real-time adjustments to layouts and field visibility without needing to dive into the backend or perform complex coding tasks. This reduces time spent on customization and lowers the dependency on developers.
Additionally, the enhanced user experience means that employees can complete tasks faster with less confusion. Users only see the information they need, reducing errors and improving data quality across the organization.
Key Features of Salesforce Dynamic Forms
Salesforce Dynamic Forms come equipped with several powerful features designed to enhance the customization of page layouts. These include:
Field Component Customization: Admins can individually manage fields on a page rather than being restricted to predefined page layouts.
Conditional Visibility: Dynamic Forms allow you to set visibility rules for fields based on logic such as user roles, record types, or data entered in other fields.
Drag-and-Drop Builder: With an intuitive interface, you can simply drag fields into the layout, giving you greater control over the form’s structure.
Real-Time Updates: Changes made to Dynamic Forms can be reflected immediately, providing instant feedback during the configuration process.
These features make Dynamic Forms an essential tool for any organization looking to improve the usability and functionality of its Salesforce pages.
How can I configure Salesforce Dynamic Forms?
1. Create or Migrate a Page:
For any custom object, open the Lightning page you wish to upgrade, select the “Record Detail” or “Highlights Panel” component, and choose “Upgrade Now”.
You can also create a brand-new page by going to your custom object, selecting “Lightning Record Pages”, then choosing “New”.
Once you’ve migrated or created a new Lightning record page, you will see the option to add a “Field Section” component which will then enable you to add fields directly to the Lightning record page.
In this example, I have removed the traditional “Details” tab and created a custom tab called “Candidate Information”. I then dragged a “Field Section” component onto my tab.
2. Add Fields to a Component:
Once you’ve added a “Field Section” component to your page, you can start to add individual fields. A “Field Section” can be added in many places, not just in tabs, so go wild!
First, let’s add some fields that should always be visible to anyone who views the record:
- Don’t forget to name each field section!
- With a field selected, you can choose the UI behaviour such as “Read Only” or “Required”.
3. Make Fields and Components Conditionally Visible:
We can make both fields and entire field components conditionally visible.
Below, I’ve added a new “Fields Section” component titled “Confidential Information”, and made it visible only to users with the Profile name “HR”
I’ve also made the field “Distance Willing to Travel” conditionally appear only if “Willing to Travel” equals TRUE:
This is a real game-changer. In edit mode, our conditional field will appear once “Willing to Travel” is checked, without the user having to save or refresh the page.
Something worth noting is that Field visibility and Field Section visibility behave differently. Although both are dynamic e.g. can be set to appear or disappear based on filters you define, Fields are super dynamic as they are evaluated live (as a user makes changes). This means that a field may appear/disappear while a user is editing a record. In contrast, Field Sections are only evaluated on Save, so a new section won’t appear/disappear until the user saves the record.
4. Plan Page Performance:
Tabs and accordion load only when selected, so instead of adding lots and lots of “Field Section” components to the initial page (e.g. what shows when you select a record), consider utilizing tabs or the accordion for improved load speed and performance.
This is also a good time to check out any Tips or use the Analyze Button to evaluate your page performance.
5. Add a Mobile Component:
You’ll need to add a “Record Detail – Mobile” component to any pages you create so your mobile users can see “Details” fields. This is because the new “Field Section” component is not available on mobile. Any migrated pages will automatically include this component.
As well as setting up Dynamic Forms, you’ll still need to maintain the standard page layout because the mobile interface uses this – not Dynamic Forms!
Best Practices for Optimizing Dynamic Forms in Salesforce
To maximize the benefits of Dynamic Forms, consider the following best practices:
Keep Layouts Simple: Avoid overcomplicating the layout with too many fields. Focus on displaying only what’s necessary.
Use Conditional Logic Wisely: Conditional visibility rules are powerful but can become confusing if overused. Stick to clear, easily understandable logic.
Test Your Forms Regularly: Before publishing, always test your forms to ensure they function as expected for different users and scenarios.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your Salesforce Dynamic Forms provide the best possible user experience.
Salesforce Dynamic Forms vs. Standard Page Layouts
While standard page layouts have long been the default in Salesforce, Dynamic Forms offer a far more flexible and customizable alternative. Standard layouts are limited to showing fixed fields and sections, regardless of user role or other conditions. Dynamic Forms, on the other hand, let you personalize these layouts based on business logic, making them much more responsive to your organization’s needs.
Additionally, with standard layouts, admins often need to rely on developers for advanced customizations, but Dynamic Forms allow for a no-code approach, empowering non-technical users to make changes without hassle.
Limitations
- Standard Objects: Not all standard objects support Dynamic Forms. Check Salesforce documentation for the latest support details.
- Field Types: Some field types may not be fully supported in Dynamic Forms, so verify compatibility before implementation.
- Complex Rules: Very complex visibility rules might impact page load performance. Simplify rules where possible.
- Limited Historical Data: Dynamic Forms may not display historical field values if they are not configured correctly, which can impact data accuracy in reports.
- Salesforce Editions: Ensure your Salesforce edition supports Dynamic Forms. Some editions may have limitations on customization features.
Summary
Dynamic Forms aim to design user-focused and intuitive page layouts that show relevant information when needed. As time goes on, the ‘Details’ section in Lightning pages can get cluttered with fields. While these fields may be necessary, they aren’t always needed by all users. Previously, we addressed this by creating multiple page layouts and profiles, which was both time-consuming and complex.
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