How does Page Layout work in Salesforce?
Page Layouts determine what users see when they view or edit a record in Salesforce Classic and serve as the foundation for record pages in Lightning Experience. Admins use the drag-and-drop page layout editor to arrange fields into sections, add related lists (e.g., Contacts on an Account), include custom buttons and links, and embed Visualforce pages or canvas apps. Field properties on a layout control whether a field is visible, read-only, or required on that specific layout, independent of field-level security.
Page Layout assignments are managed through a matrix of Record Type and Profile: each combination maps to exactly one layout. In Lightning Experience, Lightning Record Pages (built with Lightning App Builder) can override classic page layouts, adding components, tabs, and conditional visibility that go far beyond what page layouts offer. However, page layouts still govern related lists, feed-based layouts, and the compact layout for highlights panels. Clientell AI can audit your layout assignments, identify inconsistencies across profiles, and generate optimized layouts that reduce scrolling and improve data entry efficiency.