Page Template Selection is a fundamental feature within Salesforce Lightning App Builder that allows administrators to define the structural layout of Lightning pages before adding components. When creating a new Lightning page, selecting the appropriate template is the first critical decision that…Page Template Selection is a fundamental feature within Salesforce Lightning App Builder that allows administrators to define the structural layout of Lightning pages before adding components. When creating a new Lightning page, selecting the appropriate template is the first critical decision that shapes how content will be organized and displayed to users.
Lightning App Builder offers several pre-built templates tailored for different page types including Record Pages, App Pages, and Home Pages. Each template provides a distinct arrangement of regions where components can be placed. Common template options include single-column layouts, two-column layouts with varying width ratios, three-column configurations, and header-plus-columns combinations.
For Record Pages specifically, administrators can choose templates that accommodate the standard record detail section alongside custom components. The template selection determines how much screen real estate each section receives and how the page responds to different device sizes. Some templates are optimized for desktop viewing while others adapt better to mobile experiences.
When selecting a template, administrators should consider the user workflow, the number of components needed, and the importance hierarchy of information being displayed. A dashboard-style App Page might benefit from a multi-column template that showcases several components simultaneously, while a focused Record Page might work better with a simpler layout that emphasizes key data.
After initial template selection, administrators retain flexibility to modify their choice. The Lightning App Builder allows switching templates, though this may require repositioning components that were placed in regions that no longer exist in the new layout.
Best practices suggest planning component placement before selecting a template, considering end-user device preferences, and testing different layouts to optimize user experience. The template serves as the foundation upon which the entire page experience is built, making thoughtful selection essential for creating effective Lightning pages.
Page Template Selection in Salesforce Lightning App Builder
What is Page Template Selection?
Page Template Selection is a fundamental feature within the Lightning App Builder that allows administrators to choose the structural layout of a Lightning Record Page, App Page, or Home Page before adding components. Templates define the arrangement of regions on a page where components can be placed.
Why is Page Template Selection Important?
Selecting the right page template is crucial because it:
• Determines the overall structure of your page and how information is organized • Affects user experience by controlling how users navigate and consume information • Impacts responsiveness across different screen sizes and devices • Sets boundaries for where components can be positioned • Cannot be changed after creation - you must create a new page if you want a different template
How Page Template Selection Works
When creating a new Lightning page in the Lightning App Builder:
1. Navigate to Setup and search for Lightning App Builder 2. Click New to create a new page 3. Select the page type (Record Page, App Page, or Home Page) 4. Choose a template from the available options
Available Template Types:
For Record Pages: • Header and One Column • Header and Two Columns • Header and Three Columns • Header, Subheader, and Two Columns
For App Pages: • One Region • Two Regions • Three Regions (with various configurations)
For Home Pages: • Similar column-based layouts optimized for home page content
Key Considerations When Selecting Templates
• Content Density: Consider how much information needs to be displayed • User Workflow: Think about how users will interact with the page • Component Requirements: Some components work better in wider or narrower regions • Mobile Considerations: Templates respond differently on mobile devices
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Page Template Selection
1. Remember template permanence: Once a page is created with a specific template, you cannot switch to a different template. You must create a new page entirely.
2. Know the page types: Understand the distinction between Record Pages, App Pages, and Home Pages, as each has different template options and use cases.
3. Understand region behavior: Components placed in regions will stack vertically within that region. Wider regions accommodate components that need more horizontal space.
4. Focus on practical scenarios: Exam questions often present business requirements and ask which template would best serve those needs. Consider the user experience and information hierarchy.
5. Header sections: Record Page templates include a header section that contains highlights panel and path components by default.
6. Clone functionality: If you need a similar page with a different template, you cannot clone and change the template. Cloning preserves the original template.
7. Standard vs. Custom templates: Be aware that Salesforce provides standard templates, and the template selection happens at the beginning of the page creation process.
8. Component compatibility: Some components are designed for specific region widths. When answering scenario questions, consider whether the components mentioned would fit appropriately in the template regions.