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Difference Between Lightning Record Pages and Page Layouts in Salesforce

Going Over Every Detail

One of Salesforce’s most important customization features is designing the interface to meet user needs. Tools such as Lightning Record Pages and Page Layouts serve similar purposes in shaping the user experience but have distinct differences. Let’s explore each one to understand its actions and when to use it.

What are Lightning Record Pages?

A Lightning Record Page is a customizable page layout used in Salesforce Lightning Experience. It’s designed to display detailed information about a specific record, such as an Account, Contact, Opportunity, etc. The layout consists of components like related lists, charts, reports, and other dynamic elements that can be placed anywhere on the page.

Key Features of Lightning Record Pages

  • Customizable: You can design your own pages using Salesforce’s drag-and-drop tools.
  • Component-Based: It allows you to add various pre-built or custom components, like lists, charts, and Lightning App Builder components, to enhance the page.
  • User-Specific: Different layouts can be created for different user profiles, devices, or page types (like mobile or desktop).
  • Multiple Views: You can create different layouts for different purposes or audiences within your organization.
  • Dynamic and Flexible: Lightning Record Pages make it simple to organize sections and components, providing a dynamic user experience. Because of this adaptability, users can customize their view to meet their own requirements.

What are Page Layouts?

A Page Layout is the traditional method of controlling the arrangement of fields, buttons, and links on a record page. Page Layouts allow you to specify which fields are visible, read-only, or required for a particular record type. It’s primarily focused on structuring the form-like part of a record.

Key Features of Page Layouts

  • Field Control: You can decide which fields appear and how they are arranged.
  • Record Details: It includes fields, buttons, and related lists on the page, but it doesn’t include advanced components like charts.
  • Standard Views: Page Layouts are generally more static compared to Lightning Record Pages.
  • User Profiles: Different layouts can be assigned to different profiles, ensuring that users see the relevant data.

Key Differences Between Lightning Record Pages and Page Layouts

FeatureLightning Record PagesPage Layouts
CustomizationHighly customizable with drag-and-drop componentsLimited customization (mainly fields, buttons, and related lists)
ComponentsCan add dynamic components like charts, related lists, and custom componentsPrimarily focused on fields, buttons, and related lists
User ExperienceAllows a more modern, dynamic user interface with customizable layouts based on device or user roleA more static, form-based interface that only focuses on fields
VisibilityCan customize visibility based on user profiles, devices, or record typesControls field visibility based on user profiles
Device CompatibilityMobile-friendly and responsive, with pages designed for both desktop and mobileDesktop-based, although mobile users will see it too
Tool for CustomizationUses Lightning App Builder to customize the layoutUses the standard Page Layout editor for customizing the fields and related lists
PurposeFocuses on creating a richer user interface with more flexible layoutsFocuses on controlling which fields and sections are displayed on a record page

When to Use Lightning Record Pages vs. Page Layouts

  • Use Lightning Record Pages when you want to create a dynamic, customizable user experience. If you need to add charts, reports, or other components that go beyond basic fields, Lightning Record Pages are the way to go. They offer a richer and more modern interface and can be tailored to meet specific user needs.
  • Use Page Layouts to control which fields appear and how they are arranged on a record. This will ensure that users can quickly view or edit specific fields without worrying about advanced components.

Conclusion

In Salesforce, both Lightning Record Pages and Page Layouts are essential for creating customized user experiences, but they serve different purposes. Lightning Record Pages are more flexible and suited for modern, component-driven page designs, while Page Layouts focus on controlling the traditional data-entry form view. Understanding when and how to use each tool is key to creating the best possible Salesforce experience for your users.

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Anshuli Nikhare

Anshuli Nikhare is a Salesforce Developer. She has over 2 years of IT industry experience working as an Associate Technical Consultant at Perficient based out of Nagpur. She is a Certified Salesforce Platform Developer (PD1). Anshuli enjoys how being a Salesforce Developer helps her skillset explore. She is a skilled researcher who can identify opportunities in a given arena, is a supportive teammate, and is an employee willing to go the extra mile to help others.

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