What Are Dynamic Forms?
Dynamic Forms is a powerful feature in Salesforce Lightning that enables more customizable, flexible, and user-friendly record pages. Instead of relying on traditional page layouts, Dynamic Forms let you place individual fields and entire field sections directly on the Lightning App Builder canvas.
This means you can:
- Precisely position fields anywhere on the page
- Use visibility rules to show or hide fields and sections based on user role, profile, or record data
- Create cleaner, faster, and more responsive pages without any code
It’s a leap forward in creating adaptive and role-based user experiences in Salesforce.
Why Use Dynamic Forms?
Dynamic Forms address some of the most frequent complaints from Salesforce users:
- Pages are cluttered and hard to navigate
- Users see fields irrelevant to their role
- Admins struggle to manage multiple profiles with different layout needs
With Dynamic Forms:
- You get control at the field level – each field can have its own visibility rules
- Layouts become modular, which simplifies maintenance
- User productivity increases as they spend less time hunting for the right fields
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to implement Dynamic Forms in a custom object:
- Navigate to the custom object’s record page and open it in the Lightning App Builder.
- Click the ‘Record Detail’ component and choose ‘Upgrade Now’ to enable Dynamic Forms.
- After upgrading, use the Field Section component to group fields logically.
- Drag individual fields from the sidebar into sections on the page.
- Apply visibility rules to fields and sections as needed.
- Save and activate your new record page.
Real-World Use Case: Inspection App
Consider a field service company using an Inspection object:
- Default fields: Inspection Date, Inspector Name
- If ‘Inspection Result’ is ‘Failed’: Show ‘Failure Reason’, ‘Corrective Actions’, and ‘Reinspection Date’
- For ‘High Risk’ inspections: Show additional safety protocol fields
This helps field agents focus only on what’s relevant while collecting accurate data.
Benefits by Role
Dynamic Forms can enhance the experience for various user types:
Sales Reps:
- See only the fields relevant to their current stage in the sales cycle
- Reduced scroll fatigue
Service Agents:
- Quick visibility into escalation data only when a case is marked urgent
Field Technicians:
- Mobile-optimized views with only task-critical information
- Faster data entry on-site
Managers and Executives:
- Surface approval-related fields for leadership roles
- Gain visibility into metrics without wading through input forms
Best Practices for Implementation
- Start with Custom Objects: Dynamic Forms are currently supported only on custom objects, so use these as your starting point.
- Plan Your Layout: Sketch your ideal layout before jumping into the builder.
- Use Logical Grouping: Place related fields in the same Field Section for clarity.
- Preview by Profile: Always test visibility rules with different user roles to avoid access issues.
- Communicate Changes: Inform end users of updates and gather feedback to refine the experience.
Current Limitations and Workarounds
- Standard Objects: Not yet supported, though Salesforce is expanding functionality.
- Read-Only Fields: Some formula and system fields may not be directly configurable in Dynamic Forms.
- Visibility Rules: Can’t yet use complex logic like AND/OR combinations across field groups (use Flow for this).
Workaround: Use conditional visibility with supporting checkboxes or helper fields to simulate more complex logic.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Dynamic Pages
Salesforce is actively investing in Dynamic Forms. Expected features include:
- Support for standard objects like Opportunities and Cases
- Enhanced conditional logic with formulas
- Integration with Dynamic Actions and Flows for more responsive UI
- AI-driven suggestions for page layouts and visibility rules
Admins should keep an eye on release notes and consider piloting new features early.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Build Salesforce Pages
Dynamic Forms represent a new era of flexibility and control in Salesforce UI design. By tailoring layouts to users’ needs and roles, businesses can:
- Improve efficiency
- Reduce onboarding time
- Eliminate clutter
Start small – pilot Dynamic Forms on a few key objects, gather feedback, and iterate. The results will speak for themselves.
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