Layout rules for custom modules let you shape record forms around your business process. They show the right information at the right moment and enforce data requirements based on conditions you define, so people are only asked for what is relevant.

The two rule types

Conditional layout rule

Changes the properties of a field when a condition is met, and can run when a record is created or when it is updated. For example, to capture customer contact details only once a record reaches In Progress, create a condition where Status is In Progress and add a Show Fields action that reveals Customer Phone Number and Customer Email.

Dependent layout rule

Shows only certain values in one field depending on the value chosen in another. For example, if records are categorised by a primary field such as Request Type, a dependent field can offer only the values that apply to the selected request type. This keeps the form simpler.

Create a layout rule

1. Click Setup in the upper-right corner of the top navigation bar.
2. Go to Customization, then Layout Rules.
3. Select the tab for your custom module and click New Layout Rule.
4. Enter a Rule Name and Description, and choose an existing Layout. If you have not created custom layouts, only the default layout is available.
5. Choose the Rule Type. For a Conditional rule, set when it should Execute On and configure the triggering condition. For a Dependent rule, select the Primary Field and the Dependent Field.
6. Click Save.

Edit or delete a rule

Go to Setup, then Customization, then Layout Rules, and select your custom module's tab. Hover over the rule and open the more options icon. Choose Edit, change the details, and Save, or choose Delete and confirm.

Actions you can add

Once a condition is set, open the rule and click Add Action. The available actions are showing fields, showing sections, setting mandatory fields, removing mandatory fields, and disabling fields.

• Show Fields. Select the fields to display, then Save.
• Show Sections. Select the sections to display, then Save. The default section is not available for this action.
• Set Mandatory Fields. Select the fields to make mandatory. You can also tick Clear the current value and prompt for a new value when triggered, so the user must enter a fresh value when the rule runs. That option is available only when the condition field is set to Is Updated.
• Disable Field. Select the fields to disable, then Save. A mandatory field cannot be disabled.

Limits

• A single layout rule can hold a maximum of 35 conditions.
• You can create up to 200 conditions per layout.
• There is no limit on how many rules a layout can have, provided those two limits are respected.