Configuring the Ideas Layout
Administrators can modify the layout of Ideas posts and customize the organization of idea submission forms. Custom fields can be created and configured to enhance data collection and categorization of ideas beyond the standard title, description, and category fields. The layout configuration provides flexible field management that enables organizations to capture specific information relevant to their innovation processes and business requirements.
Requirements
To configure the Idea post layout, users must be assigned a security role with the following permissions:
- Administrator System Role
Understanding Ideas Layout Configuration
Layout Customization Capabilities
The Ideas Layout configuration enables administrators to enhance idea posts with additional data fields that capture specific information relevant to organizational needs. Custom fields provide structured data collection that supports improved idea evaluation, categorization, and tracking throughout the innovation process.
Field Type Flexibility: Multiple field types support diverse data collection requirements including text, numbers, dates, selections, and specialized data formats.
Dynamic Layout Design: Drag-and-drop interface enables flexible field arrangement and organization that optimizes user experience during idea submission.
Content Organization: Custom fields integrate seamlessly with existing idea components while maintaining user-friendly submission workflows.
Accessing Ideas Layout Configuration
Navigation to Layout Settings
- In the Setup Home page, click Manage > Community Settings
- Click Idea Exchange Settings
- Select the Layout tab to access idea post layout configuration
Layout Configuration Interface
The Layout configuration interface consists of two primary sections:
Available Fields: Displays all field types that can be added to idea posts, including both standard and custom field options.
Content Layout: Shows the current layout structure where fields can be arranged and organized for optimal user experience.
Available Custom Field Types
Text and Content Fields
Checkbox:
- Boolean true/false fields for binary selections or confirmations
- Use cases: Acknowledgment of terms, feature toggles, implementation flags
Text:
- Short text fields for brief descriptive information
- Use cases: Keywords, brief summaries, reference numbers
Text (Long):
- Extended text fields for detailed explanations or additional context
- Use cases: Implementation details, technical specifications, extended descriptions
Email:
- Email address fields with built-in validation
- Use cases: Contact information, stakeholder notifications, implementation team assignments
URL:
- Web address fields for linking to external resources
- Use cases: Reference documentation, prototype links, supporting materials
Numeric and Measurement Fields
Number:
- Numeric value fields for quantitative data
- Use cases: Cost estimates, user counts, priority rankings, implementation effort scores
Currency:
- Monetary value fields with currency formatting
- Use cases: Budget requirements, cost savings estimates, investment amounts
Percent:
- Percentage fields for proportional data
- Use cases: Expected improvement percentages, completion rates, success metrics
Date and Time Fields
Date:
- Date selection fields for schedule tracking
- Use cases: Target implementation dates, review deadlines, milestone tracking
Date/Time:
- Combined date and time fields for precise scheduling
- Use cases: Meeting times or deadline timestamps
Time:
- Time selection fields for duration or scheduling
- Use cases: Meeting durations, implementation timeframes, process timing
Communication and Contact Fields
Phone:
- Phone number fields with format validation
- Use cases: Contact information, escalation contacts, implementation team communication
Selection and Choice Fields
Picklist:
- Single option selection fields from predefined choices
- Use cases: Priority levels, implementation phases, department assignments, approval statuses
Multi-Select Picklist:
- Multiple option selection fields for complex categorization
- Use cases: Affected departments, required skills, implementation areas, stakeholder groups
Configuring Custom Fields
Creating New Custom Fields
- In the Available Fields section, click New to access field creation options
- Select the desired field type from the dropdown menu
- Configure field properties:
- Field Label: Enter the display name that users will see
- Field Name: Enter the internal system identifier (auto-generated from label)
- Field Options: Configure field-specific settings such as:
- Default values
- Validation rules
- Required field status
- Help text and descriptions
- Click Add to create the field and make it available for layout configuration
Field Configuration Options
Required Fields: Designate fields as mandatory to ensure complete data collection for critical information.
Default Values: Pre-populate fields with common values to streamline user input and maintain consistency.
Help Text: Provide guidance and examples to help users understand field purposes and expected input formats.
Validation Rules: Implement data quality controls to ensure consistent and accurate information capture.
Content Layout Configuration
Organizing Field Layout
Current Layout Structure: The Content Layout section displays the current organization of fields as they appear to users during idea submission:
- Title Section: Fixed position containing the idea title field (cannot be moved)
- Add Your Comment: Fixed position for the main idea description (cannot be moved)
- Other Comments: Fixed section for community discussion display
- Votes: Fixed section for voting interface display
Adding Fields to Layout
Drag-and-Drop Configuration:
- Drag field types from the Available Fields section to the Content Layout area
- Position fields in the desired order within the layout structure
- Fields will appear in the order they are arranged within the Content Layout section
- Standard fields (Title Section, Add Your Comment, Other Comments, Votes) remain in fixed positions
Field Arrangement Strategy
Logical Grouping: Organize related fields together to create intuitive user experience during idea submission.
Priority Ordering: Place most important custom fields near the top of the form to ensure visibility and completion.
User Experience Flow: Arrange fields to follow natural thought processes and information gathering patterns.
Layout Management and Optimization
Saving Layout Changes
- After completing field arrangement and organization, click Save Changes to apply layout modifications
- Changes become immediately active for all new idea submissions
- Existing ideas retain their previous field configuration but can be edited to include new fields
Layout Testing and Validation
User Experience Testing: Test the idea submission process with the new layout to ensure intuitive user flow and appropriate field placement.
Field Requirement Validation: Verify that required fields are properly configured and validated during submission.
Mobile Responsiveness: Test layout appearance and functionality across different device sizes and screen resolutions.
Best Practices for Ideas Layout Design
Field Selection Strategy
Business Alignment: Choose custom fields that support specific organizational innovation goals and evaluation criteria.
User-Centric Design: Select fields that provide value to idea submitters while gathering necessary information for evaluation processes.
Data Quality Focus: Implement fields that improve idea categorization, evaluation, and tracking without overwhelming users with excessive data entry requirements.
Layout Optimization
Minimal Complexity: Add custom fields judiciously to avoid overwhelming users during idea submission while capturing necessary evaluation information.
Progressive Disclosure: Consider organizing fields to present essential information first with optional detailed fields available for comprehensive submissions.
Clear Labeling: Use descriptive field labels and help text that clearly communicate field purposes and expected input formats.
Field Management
Regular Review: Periodically assess custom field usage and effectiveness to identify fields that should be modified or removed.
User Feedback Integration: Gather feedback from idea submitters about layout usability and field relevance to optimize the submission experience.
Data Analytics: Monitor field completion rates and data quality to identify opportunities for layout improvements.
Integration with Ideas Module Features
Idea Display Integration
Custom fields integrate with idea display throughout the Ideas module, appearing in:
- Individual idea detail views
- Ideas homepage listings (when configured)
- Administrative management interfaces
- Reporting and analytics systems
Search and Filtering Enhancement
Custom field data enhances search capabilities and filtering options, enabling users to:
- Search within specific field content
- Filter ideas by custom field criteria
- Sort and organize ideas based on custom field values
Administrative Workflow Integration
Custom fields support administrative processes including:
- Enhanced idea evaluation with structured data
- Improved categorization and organization
- Detailed reporting and analytics capabilities
- Integration with review status workflows
Ideas Layout configuration provides essential customization capabilities that enable organizations to optimize idea collection, evaluation, and management processes according to their specific innovation requirements and workflow needs.
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