Designing Page Layouts

Page Layouts control how fields, sections, related lists, and buttons appear on Entity Detail and Edit pages. Administrators can create multiple page layouts for a single entity and assign them to different security roles or record types, allowing for customized user experiences based on role and business process.

Before You Begin

Requirements

To design page layouts, users must be assigned a security role with the following permissions:

Administrator System Role

Understanding Page Layout Types

Magentrix supports two types of page layouts, each serving a different purpose:

Page Layouts

Page Layouts are used in system pages to display record information on Entity Detail and Edit pages. When users click on a record name to view its details or click Edit to modify it, they see the Page Layout assigned to their security role and record type.

Use Cases:

Standard detail pages for viewing and editing records
Role-specific layouts showing different fields to different users
Record type-specific layouts tailored to different business processes

Form Custom Layouts

Form Custom Layouts are used like a form that users fill out for specific purposes. These layouts are designed for guided data entry experiences rather than general record viewing.

Use Cases:

Deal registration forms
Lead capture forms
Partner application forms
Survey or questionnaire interfaces
Specialized data entry workflows

Access: Form Custom Layouts require creating tabs for users to access them. They are not automatically used for standard detail or edit pages.

Understanding the Layout Designer

The Layout Designer is a drag-and-drop interface for configuring page layouts. It provides a visual representation of how the layout will appear to users.

Layout Designer Components

Fields Palette: Available fields that can be added to the layout

Sections: Containers that organize fields into logical groups

Related Lists: Lists of child or related records displayed at the bottom of the page

Buttons: Actions available on the page (Edit, Delete, custom buttons)

Properties Panel: Configuration options for selected elements

Creating a New Page Layout

To create a new page layout:

In the Setup Home page:
- If you want to design a layout for a Magentrix Entity, click Create > Entities.
- If you want to design a layout for a Salesforce integrated Entity, click Extend > Salesforce.
Click on the Entity for which you want to create a page layout.
Select the Page Layouts tab.
Click New.
Configure the layout information:
Name: Enter a name for the page layout (e.g., "Sales Rep Layout", "Manager View", "Partner Portal Layout").
Entity: This field is automatically populated with the selected entity.
Type: Select the layout type:
- Page Layout: For standard detail and edit pages
- Form Custom Layout: For form-based data entry
Buttons Location: Select where buttons should appear on the layout:
- Top Only: Buttons appear only at the top of the page
- Bottom Only: Buttons appear only at the bottom of the page
- Both (Top and Bottom): Buttons appear in both locations
Default Layout: Check the Enabled checkbox if you want this layout to be the default. Only one layout for each entity can be the default. If no specific layout is assigned to a user's role, the default layout will be used. Only one layout for each entity can be the default.
Click Save.

The page layout is created and opens in the Layout Designer where you can add sections, fields, and related lists.

Configuring Section Properties

Sections organize fields into logical groups on the page layout. Each section has configurable properties that control its appearance and behavior.

To Configure Section Properties

In the Layout Designer, hover over a section header.
Click the wrench icon that appears on the left side of the section.
Configure the section properties:
Section Title: Enter a descriptive name for the section (e.g., "Account Information", "Contact Details", "Opportunity Details").
Display Header On: Control where the section header appears:
- Detail Page: Check to show the section header on detail pages
- Edit Page: Check to show the section header on edit pages
- Uncheck both to hide the section header (fields still appear)
Columns: Select the column layout:
- 1-Column: Fields appear in a single column, full width
- 2-Column: Fields appear in two columns side by side
Tab Order: Control how the tab key moves between fields:
- Top-Down: Tab moves down the left column, then down the right column
- Left-Right: Tab moves across columns from left to right, then to the next row
Section Closed on Detail Page: Check this option to collapse the section by default when users view the detail page. Users can expand it by clicking the section header. This option only appears for sections other than the first (header) section.
Visibility: Configure visibility formulas for sections other than the header section. Enter a formula that returns true or false. When the formula evaluates to false, the section is hidden. See Configuring Field Visibility below.
Click Ok.

The section is now configured. Repeat for other sections as needed.

Header Section

Every page layout includes a Header section by default. This section:

Is always the first section on the layout
Cannot be deleted
Cannot be collapsed
Does not support visibility formulas
Typically contains the most important identifying fields

Adding and Arranging Fields

Fields display and capture data on the page layout. Administrators can add, remove, and arrange fields to create an optimal user experience.

To Add Fields to a Layout

In the Layout Designer, locate the Fields palette on the left side.
Find the field you want to add (use search if needed).
Drag the field from the palette and drop it into the desired section and position.
Release to place the field.

Fields appear in the order they are arranged in the Layout Designer.

To Rearrange Fields

Click and hold on a field in the layout.
Drag the field to the new position.
Release to place the field.

A blue line indicates where the field will be placed when dropped.

To Remove Fields from a Layout

Hover over the field you want to remove.
Click the X icon that appears on the field.
The field is removed from the layout (it still exists in the entity, just not on this layout).

Field Arrangement Best Practices

Place most important fields at the top
Group related fields together in sections
Use 2-column layouts for better space utilization
Keep required fields visible and near the top
Consider the natural flow of data entry

Configuring Field Visibility

Individual fields can have visibility formulas that control whether they appear based on other field values.

To Configure Field Visibility

In the Layout Designer, hover over a field.
Click the wrench icon that appears on the field.
In the Visibility section, enter a formula that returns true or false.
When the formula evaluates to true, the field is visible.
When the formula evaluates to false, the field is hidden.
Click Ok.

Visibility Formula Examples

Show field only for specific record type:

{!Equal(RecordType,"Enterprise Account")}

Show field based on picklist value:

{!Equal(Status,"Closed Won")}

Show field when another field has a value:

{!NOT(IsNull(CustomField1))}

Show field based on checkbox:

{!Equal(IsPartner,true)}

Complex condition:

{!OR(Equal(Stage,"Negotiation"),Equal(Stage,"Closed Won"))}

Important: Visibility formulas only have access to fields that are included in the page layout. If your formula references a field not on the layout, the visibility logic may not work as expected.

Adding Related Lists to Layouts

Related Lists show child records or related records at the bottom of the detail page. They appear as tabs that users can click to view different related record types.

To Add Related Lists

In the Layout Designer, locate the Related Lists section on the left side.
Find the related list you want to add (e.g., "Contacts", "Opportunities", "Tasks").
Drag the related list and drop it into the Related Lists area at the bottom of the layout.
The related list appears as a tab at the bottom of the page.

To Configure Related Lists

In the Layout Designer, hover over a related list tab at the bottom of the layout.
Click the wrench icon that appears on the header.
Configure the related list properties:
- Select which fields appear in the related list
- Configure the sort order
- Set the number of records to display per page
- Choose which buttons appear
Click Ok.

Related lists use the Related List layout configured for that entity, but you can override specific settings for individual related lists in the Layout Designer.

Related List Visibility

Like fields and sections, related lists can have visibility formulas:

Hover over the related list and click the wrench icon.
Enter a visibility formula in the Visibility section.
The related list only appears when the formula evaluates to true.

Configuring Button Location

Buttons provide users with actions they can perform on records. The button location determines where these buttons appear on the page.

Button Location Options

Top Only: Buttons appear only at the top of the page, above the field sections. Users see buttons immediately without scrolling.

Bottom Only: Buttons appear only at the bottom of the page, below the field sections and related lists.

Both (Top and Bottom): Buttons appear in both locations, providing easy access whether the user is at the top or bottom of the page.

To Configure Button Location

Edit the page layout.
In the layout properties, select the Buttons Location option.
Choose from Top Only, Bottom Only, or Both (Top and Bottom).
Click Save.

Best Practices for Button Location

Use "Both" for long layouts where users need to scroll
Use "Top Only" for simple layouts where all content fits on screen
Use "Bottom Only" for form layouts where actions come after data entry
Be consistent across similar layouts for user familiarity

Assigning Layouts to Security Roles

Different security roles can be assigned different page layouts, controlling which fields and sections users see based on their role.

To Assign Layouts to Security Roles

In the Entity page, click the Page Layouts tab.
Click Layout Assignments.
The layout assignment matrix is displayed:
- If Record Types are not configured: Each row represents a Security Role
- If Record Types are configured: Rows represent Security Roles, columns represent Record Types
For each Security Role (or Role/Record Type combination), select the desired page layout from the Layout dropdown.
Click Save.

Users will now see different page layouts based on their security role and the record type they are viewing.

Assignment Matrix Example

Without Record Types:

Security Role	Layout
Sales Rep	Standard Layout
Sales Manager	Manager Layout
Partner User	Partner Layout

With Record Types:

Security Role	New Business	Renewal	Upgrade
Sales Rep	Standard Layout	Renewal Layout	Upgrade Layout
Sales Manager	Manager Layout	Manager Renewal	Manager Upgrade

Assigning Layouts Based on Record Types

When Record Types are configured for an entity, page layouts can be assigned based on both security role and record type, creating a matrix of possible layout assignments.

How It Works

The layout assignment creates a two-dimensional matrix:

Rows: Security Roles
Columns: Record Types
Cells: Assigned page layout

This allows you to show different layouts based on both who is viewing the record and what type of record it is.

Example Scenario

Entity: Opportunity

Record Types: New Business, Renewal, Upgrade

Security Roles: Sales Rep, Sales Manager

Layouts:

New Business Layout (shows fields for new customer acquisition)
Renewal Layout (shows fields for contract renewals)
Upgrade Layout (shows fields for upsells)
Manager New Business (includes forecasting fields)
Manager Renewal (includes renewal metrics)
Manager Upgrade (includes expansion metrics)

Assignments:

Sales Rep + New Business → New Business Layout
Sales Rep + Renewal → Renewal Layout
Sales Rep + Upgrade → Upgrade Layout
Sales Manager + New Business → Manager New Business
Sales Manager + Renewal → Manager Renewal
Sales Manager + Upgrade → Manager Upgrade

Each combination of role and record type gets a tailored layout.

Setting the Default Layout

The default layout is used when no specific layout is assigned to a user's security role or record type combination.

To Set the Default Layout

Edit the page layout you want to make the default.
In the layout properties, check the Enabled checkbox under Default Layout.
Click Save.

Important: Only one layout per entity can be marked as default. When you mark a layout as default, any other default layout is automatically unmarked.

When Default Layout Is Used

Users whose role has no specific layout assignment
New security roles before layouts are assigned
API or automated processes that don't specify a layout
Fallback when layout assignment fails

Best Practices and Recommendations

Plan layouts before building: Sketch out what fields each role needs before creating layouts.
Start with a template: Create one comprehensive layout, then copy and modify for different roles.
Use descriptive names: Name layouts clearly (e.g., "Sales Rep - Opportunity Layout" not just "Layout 1").
Group related fields: Use sections to organize fields logically by topic or workflow stage.
Minimize scrolling: Place most important fields and sections at the top.
Use 2-column layouts: Better space utilization, but ensure readability on smaller screens.
Test with actual users: Have users from each role review their layouts before finalizing.
Keep layouts focused: Don't show fields users don't need. Less is often more.
Use visibility formulas judiciously: Too many conditional fields can confuse users.
Coordinate with field security: Ensure users have permission to view fields on their layouts.
Document layout purposes: Maintain notes on why each layout exists and what it's for.
Review regularly: As business processes evolve, update layouts to match.
Be consistent: Use similar structures across related entities for user familiarity.

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue: Users not seeing expected page layout.

Solution: Check layout assignments for the user's security role and record type. Verify that the correct layout is assigned in the matrix.

Issue: Fields not appearing on page layout.

Solution: Verify that the field is added to the layout in the Layout Designer. Also check that users have field-level read permission.

Issue: Section or field visibility not working.

Solution: Check that the visibility formula syntax is correct and that it references fields included on the page layout. Test the formula with various field values.

Issue: Related list not showing records.

Solution: Verify that child records exist and that users have permission to view the child entity. Check if the related list has filters configured.

Issue: Cannot save page layout changes.

Solution: Ensure you have administrator permissions. Check for validation errors in section or field configurations.

Issue: Buttons appearing in wrong location.

Solution: Check the Buttons Location setting in the page layout properties. Update to Top Only, Bottom Only, or Both as needed.

Issue: Default layout not being used.

Solution: Verify that the layout is marked as default and that no other layout has the default flag. Check that layout assignments don't override the default.

Issue: Layout looks different on mobile devices.

Solution: Page layouts may render differently on small screens. Test layouts on actual devices and adjust field arrangement as needed.

Issue: Too many fields making layout cluttered.

Solution: Use sections to organize fields and consider using visibility formulas to show fields only when relevant. Create role-specific layouts with fewer fields.

Issue: Users confused by conditional visibility.

Solution: Review visibility formulas to ensure they're intuitive. Consider adding help text or descriptions to fields that appear conditionally.

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