Introduction
Salesforce record pages can become overwhelming when filled with hundreds of fields, many of which are relevant only in specific contexts. Traditionally, admins would create separate Page Layouts per record type or profile, but that often leads to configuration complexity and maintenance headaches.
Dynamic Forms, introduced in Lightning App Builder, represents a shift in how admins approach page customization. They allow field-level visibility rules, conditional logic, and flexible placement of fields without using multiple page layouts—making interfaces cleaner and more intuitive.
This article covers:
- What Dynamic Forms and Page Layouts each offer
- Side-by-side feature comparison
- Real-world use cases and best practices
- Community insights on value and limitations
- SEO & metadata recommendations for publishing
2. Understanding Page Layouts
Page Layouts are Salesforce’s stalwart interface tool, controlling:
- Field placement and grouping into sections
- Related lists, buttons, and quick actions
- Field-level security and required status
- Assignment by record type and user profile
Page Layouts work across both Classic and Lightning, offering quick setup and broad compatibility. However, customization beyond static layouts is limited. Field visibility can’t adapt dynamically based on record data or user context, making multiple layouts necessary for nuanced scenarios.
3. What Are Dynamic Forms?
Dynamic Forms allow you to break apart the traditional Record Detail component into Field Section components within Lightning App Builder. Each field or section can be placed anywhere on the page and made visible based on conditions like user profile, record data, or device type.
How It Works
- In Lightning App Builder, click Record Detail and select Upgrade Now to convert an existing layout into Field Section components
- Once migrated, each Field Section and individual fields can be placed anywhere on the Lightning page
- Apply visibility filters on each component based on criteria like profile, picklist value, or record type
Benefits
- Conditional visibility at the field/section level
- Reduced page clutter—users only see relevant fields
- Fewer page layouts to manage—visibility rules replace multiple variants
- Improved page performance—only load what’s needed
- Compatible across supported mobile devices
Limitations
- Only supported by LWC-enabled objects (e.g., Accounts, Contacts, Cases, Opportunities, Leads)
- Does not support related lists, actions, or certain UI components
- Visibility logic complexity increases manageability risk
- Migration requires careful field checks—required fields may get omitted if not in the original layout
4. Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Dynamic Forms | Page Layouts |
Field-level visibility control | ✅ Yes via visibility rules | ❌ No |
Flexibility and layout | ✅ High—drag sections | ❌ Rigid |
Responsive behavior | ✅ Better—load on demand | ❌ Loads everything |
Related Lists & Action Controls | ❌ Not supported via Forms | ✅ Fully supported |
Setup time | ⏳ Moderate planning | ✅ Quick |
Multi-record-type support | ✅ Single layout + filters | ✅ Per record type |
Classic Compatibility | ❌ Lightning-only | ✅ Universal |
5. Use Cases & When to Use Each
Use Cases for Dynamic Forms
- Conditional behavior: Show fields only when relevant (e.g., show “SLA End Date” when “Active = Yes”)
- Complex user groups: Tailor page elements by role, profile, or department
- Large datasets: Clean UI when objects contain 100+ fields
- New builds: For custom objects or Lightning-first design
Use Cases for Page Layouts
- Need for Classic or hybrid support
- Related lists and action buttons must be managed
- Fast deployment across multiple record types
- Simple objects where conditional visibility isn’t required
Combined Approach
Use Page Layouts for structure (related lists, buttons, actions) and Dynamic Forms for flexible, user-specific field display.
