Having led various projects for clients within the Salesforce platform, we always have to decide when designing the user interface: Should we use page layouts or Lightning Pages? Customizing the UI with low-code solutions required a complex interplay of record types, page layouts, and profiles. However, the game has changed significantly with the advancement of Lightning Record Pages and Dynamic Forms and the ability to extend Lightning Record Pages functionalities by embedding screen flows easily.
The Evolution of Salesforce UI Customization
Previously, if you needed different fields to be displayed for different users, you had to create multiple page layouts and assign them to different profiles. Similarly, if you needed to differentiate between data types—customer accounts versus vendor accounts—and have different fields for each data type, your only option was to rely on different record types with different page layouts.
However, with Lightning Record Pages and Dynamic Forms, you can now display different fields based on user profiles, custom permissions, or other field criteria, such as a picklist field, reducing the need for multiple page layouts. This flexibility extends to creating sections on Lightning Pages, enabling a more streamlined and user-friendly interface.
The Page Layout vs. Lightning Page Cheat Sheet
We put together a cheat sheet on the advantages and disadvantages of using page layouts and lightning pages for low-code UI customizations so you can decide based on what matters most to your organization. We also included considerations of how they integrate with high-code UI customizations (Lightning Web Components—LWCs), as projects often need a mix of low-code and high-code solutions.
Best Practices for Handling Record Types in Lightning Pages
We use a common section approach when dealing with the requirement to display fields for specific record types on Lightning Pages. We design a shared field section relevant to all record types. Then, we add tailored sections that apply to each specific record type. These tailored sections are displayed dynamically as needed.
Choosing between Page Layouts and Lightning Pages, as well as leveraging record types and picklists, depends on your organization’s specific needs. We like to consider factors such as business processes, security requirements, and the complexity of your Salesforce environment. By leveraging the right tools, you can create a Salesforce experience that is both powerful and user-friendly.
As Salesforce continues to evolve, staying informed about these options will empower you to make the best decisions for your organization. Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce admin or new to the platform, understanding these customization tools is essential for maximizing your Salesforce investment.
Feel free to contact us for more insights on Salesforce customization and optimization!
Authors: Andre Fernandes and Felipe Sozinho