Compact Layouts in Salesforce are a powerful feature that allows administrators to customize how record highlights appear across the platform, particularly in mobile applications, Lightning Experience, and various components throughout the interface.
A Compact Layout defines which fields appear in…Compact Layouts in Salesforce are a powerful feature that allows administrators to customize how record highlights appear across the platform, particularly in mobile applications, Lightning Experience, and various components throughout the interface.
A Compact Layout defines which fields appear in the record highlights section at the top of a record page, in the Salesforce mobile app, and in Lightning Experience record hovers. This feature enables users to quickly view the most essential information about a record at a glance, improving productivity and user experience.
Key aspects of Compact Layouts include:
1. **Field Selection**: Administrators can select up to 10 fields to display in a Compact Layout. The first field always becomes the primary field and appears prominently in record highlights.
2. **Record Highlights Panel**: In Lightning Experience, the Compact Layout determines what appears in the highlights panel at the top of record pages, giving users instant access to critical data.
3. **Mobile Optimization**: Compact Layouts are especially valuable for Salesforce mobile users, as they control the key fields visible when browsing records on smaller screens.
4. **Object-Specific**: Each object can have multiple Compact Layouts, but only one can be assigned as the primary layout at any time. Different layouts can be assigned to different record types.
5. **System Default**: Salesforce provides a default Compact Layout for standard objects, which administrators can modify or replace with custom layouts.
6. **Lookup Cards and Hovers**: When users hover over a lookup field or related record link, the Compact Layout determines which fields appear in the preview card.
To create or modify Compact Layouts, administrators navigate to Object Manager, select the desired object, and access the Compact Layouts section. From there, they can create new layouts, edit existing ones, and set the primary Compact Layout assignment. This configuration requires no code and provides significant customization capabilities for enhancing user efficiency.
Compact Layouts: A Complete Guide for Salesforce Administrators
What are Compact Layouts?
Compact layouts control which fields appear in the record highlights panel at the top of a record page, in the expanded lookup card, and in the Salesforce mobile app. They display key information about a record at a glance, allowing users to quickly see the most important details.
Why are Compact Layouts Important?
Compact layouts are essential because they: • Improve user productivity by surfacing critical information upfront • Enhance the mobile experience for users on the go • Reduce clicks and scrolling to find important data • Customize the record preview experience in lookups and related lists • Provide consistency across Lightning Experience and Salesforce mobile
How Compact Layouts Work
Compact layouts function in several key areas:
Record Highlights Panel: In Lightning Experience, the highlights panel appears at the top of record pages. The first field in your compact layout becomes the primary field, displayed prominently.
Expanded Lookups: When users hover over a lookup field, they see a preview card showing fields from the compact layout.
Salesforce Mobile App: The mobile record view uses compact layouts to display key fields in the record header.
Key Configuration Details: • You can include up to 10 fields in a compact layout • The first field is always the record name and cannot be removed • You can create multiple compact layouts per object • Assign different compact layouts to different record types • System compact layout is the default if no custom layout is assigned
How to Create and Assign Compact Layouts
1. Navigate to Object Manager 2. Select the desired object 3. Click on Compact Layouts 4. Click New to create a custom compact layout 5. Add fields (maximum of 10) 6. Save the layout 7. Click Compact Layout Assignment to assign it as the primary layout
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Compact Layouts
Remember these key facts:
• 10 fields maximum - This number frequently appears in exam questions • First field is always the Name field - You cannot change or remove this • Three display locations: highlights panel, expanded lookups, and mobile app • Record type assignment: Different record types can have different compact layouts • System default exists: Salesforce provides a default compact layout for each object
Common Exam Scenarios:
• Questions about where compact layout fields appear - remember all three locations • Questions about field limits - always answer 10 fields • Questions about mobile optimization - compact layouts are the answer for mobile record headers • Questions distinguishing between page layouts and compact layouts - compact layouts are for the highlights area only, not the full record detail
Tricky Points to Watch:
• Compact layouts and page layouts are configured separately • Compact layouts do NOT control the record detail section • The primary compact layout is set through Compact Layout Assignment, not by creating a new layout • Formula fields and roll-up summary fields CAN be included in compact layouts
Practice Question Approach:
When you see questions mentioning highlights panel, mobile record view, or lookup hover cards, think compact layouts. When questions mention controlling the entire record detail page or related lists sections, think page layouts instead.