Customizing Salesforce objects, fields, and page layouts allows administrators to tailor the platform to specific business needs, improving user experience and data management. Page layouts control how fields, buttons, and related lists appear on object record pages, while field customization enables the addition of new data points or modification of existing ones. The process involves using Salesforce’s built-in tools like the Object Manager, Lightning App Builder, and page layout editors to adjust visibility, organization, and accessibility of components. Key capabilities include assigning different layouts to user profiles, creating mobile-optimized views, and leveraging features like Dynamic Forms for advanced customization.

• Page layouts determine field visibility, required status, and section organization for object records, with support for multiple layouts per object based on profiles or record types ^[1][4][8].
• Field customization involves adding, editing, or repositioning fields within objects, with up to 100 custom fields allowed for Activities like Tasks and Events ^[7].
• Lightning Experience offers enhanced tools like the Lightning App Builder and Dynamic Forms for more flexible layout design compared to Salesforce Classic ^[6][8].
• Profile-specific layouts enable different user groups to see only relevant fields, improving efficiency and data security ^[5][8].

Customizing Salesforce Objects, Fields, and Page Layouts

Editing Object Page Layouts

Page layouts serve as the backbone of how users interact with records in Salesforce, controlling everything from field placement to required status. Administrators can modify layouts directly through the Object Manager in Setup or use the Lightning App Builder for more advanced redesigns. The process begins by selecting the target object (e.g., Opportunities, Cases, or Tasks) and accessing its page layout settings. From there, fields can be dragged and dropped into sections, new sections can be added, and related lists can be configured for optimal data entry workflows.

Key steps and considerations for editing page layouts include:

• Accessing the layout editor: Navigate to Setup > Object Manager > [Select Object] > Page Layouts to view or edit existing layouts. The enhanced page layout editor provides a visual interface for rearranging components ^[1][4].
• Field management: Fields can be made read-only, required, or hidden entirely based on user profiles or record types. For example, the "Reminder Set" field on Task layouts may require activation to become visible ^[7].
• Section organization: Fields can be grouped into collapsible sections (e.g., "Details," "Additional Information") to reduce clutter. The Lightning App Builder allows for further customization, such as adding custom Lightning components ^[2][6].
• Mobile optimization: Layouts can be adjusted specifically for the Salesforce mobile app, ensuring critical fields are accessible on smaller screens ^[4].
• Multiple layouts per object: A single object (e.g., Opportunities) can support multiple page layouts, each assigned to different profiles or record types. This allows sales teams to see only the fields relevant to their role ^[5][8].

For example, a tutorial by Nick Boardman demonstrates repositioning fields in the Opportunities layout by dragging them into new sections, emphasizing the simplicity of the drag-and-drop interface in the Lightning App Builder ^[2]. Similarly, Salesforce’s official documentation notes that up to 100 custom fields can be added to Activities, with certain fields (like "Comment" for Tasks and "Description" for Events) being linked—changes to one automatically update the other ^[7].

Customizing Fields and Advanced Layout Features

Beyond basic layout edits, Salesforce supports deeper field customization and advanced features like Dynamic Forms and Field Sets to enhance flexibility. Custom fields can be created to capture unique data points, while existing fields can be modified for properties like default values or help text. Dynamic Forms, available in Lightning Experience, allow administrators to configure field visibility based on real-time conditions, reducing the need for multiple page layouts.

Critical aspects of field and advanced layout customization include:

• Creating custom fields: Navigate to Setup > Object Manager > [Select Object] > Fields & Relationships to add new fields. Each field requires defining a data type (e.g., text, pickup, date) and setting properties like length or decimal places ^[6].
• Field Sets: These enable grouping fields for reuse across multiple layouts or components. For instance, a "Contact Information" Field Set could be added to both Account and Opportunity layouts, ensuring consistency ^[6].
• Dynamic Forms: This feature replaces static sections with flexible containers that can show or hide fields based on criteria (e.g., user role or record stage). However, Dynamic Forms are not yet available for standard objects ^[8].
• Cross-object field limitations: Salesforce does not support directly adding fields from one object to another’s page layout. Instead, administrators must create a duplicate field in the target object and use workflows or process builders to sync values. For example, to display a field from the Account object on an Opportunity layout, a custom field must be created on the Opportunity object and populated via automation ^[9].
• Quick Actions for simplified creation: To create a streamlined layout for new record creation (e.g., a "New Opportunity" form with only 15-20 fields), administrators can override the standard "New" button with a custom Lightning Web Component or Visualforce page. This avoids the need for separate record types ^[10].

The SalesforceBen guide highlights that page layouts and record types serve distinct purposes: layouts control how fields are displayed, while record types manage which fields and business processes apply to a record. For example, a support team might use a Case record type with a layout optimized for resolution notes, while a sales team sees a layout focused on customer details ^[8]. Meanwhile, Titan’s article underscores the importance of testing new fields in a sandbox environment before deployment, as field properties like "required" or "unique" can significantly impact data integrity ^[6].