Why Some Fields Can't Be Removed From Salesforce Page Layouts

Jul 15, 2025 by Jeany 62 views

Understanding 'Always on Page' Fields in Salesforce Page Layouts

When customizing page layouts in Salesforce, users often encounter a situation where certain fields cannot be removed, despite not being marked as mandatory. This can be puzzling, especially when trying to streamline the user interface and display only the most relevant information. The message, "This field must be displayed on the Page Layout and cannot be removed," indicates that the field is subject to specific system requirements or configurations. This article delves into the reasons behind this behavior, focusing on the common scenarios and providing solutions to manage these fields effectively.

Understanding the 'Always on Page' Phenomenon

In Salesforce, some fields are designated as 'Always on Page' due to their critical role in the platform's functionality or specific configurations. These fields are essential for maintaining data integrity, supporting business processes, or complying with platform requirements. Understanding the reasons behind this designation is crucial for effectively managing page layouts and ensuring a smooth user experience.

There are several reasons why a field might be marked as 'Always on Page':

System Required Fields: Salesforce has certain system-required fields that are fundamental to the object's functionality. These fields, such as Name or Created Date, are automatically included on the page layout and cannot be removed. They are essential for the platform to function correctly and maintain data integrity. These fields often serve as primary identifiers or track important metadata about the record.
Relationship Fields: Fields that define relationships between objects, such as a Lookup or Master-Detail field, are often required on the page layout. These fields link records to other related records, and their presence is crucial for navigating and understanding the data model. Removing these fields could break the relationships and lead to data inconsistencies. For instance, a Contact Name field on a Case layout is essential for linking the case to the relevant contact.
Business Logic and Automation: Fields can also be marked as 'Always on Page' due to custom business logic or automation rules. Workflows, validation rules, or Apex triggers might rely on these fields being present on the layout. Removing them could disrupt the automation processes and lead to errors. For example, if a workflow rule updates a field based on the value of another field, both fields might need to be present on the layout.
Email and Contact Name on Case Layout: The specific scenario of not being able to remove Web Email and Contact Name from the Case layout is a common example. These fields are crucial for tracking the origin and context of the case. The Contact Name field links the case to the person who reported it, while the Web Email field captures the email address used to submit the case through a web form. These fields help support agents understand the case's background and communicate effectively with the contact.
Record Type Specific Fields: Sometimes, fields are marked as 'Always on Page' for specific record types. If a field is essential for a particular record type, it might be enforced on the layout to ensure data consistency for that type of record. This is common in organizations that use record types to differentiate between different types of cases or opportunities.

Identifying 'Always on Page' Fields

Identifying which fields are designated as 'Always on Page' is the first step in managing them effectively. Salesforce provides clear indicators when attempting to remove such fields from a page layout. The message, "This field must be displayed on the Page Layout and cannot be removed," is the most common indicator. This message appears when a user tries to delete the field from the layout editor.

Another way to identify these fields is to review the field properties within the object's setup. While Salesforce doesn't explicitly label a field as 'Always on Page,' understanding the field's purpose and relationships can provide clues. System-required fields are usually evident, and fields involved in relationships or automation can often be identified by their configurations.

Additionally, reviewing the organization's documentation or consulting with Salesforce administrators can help clarify why specific fields are enforced on the layout. This collaborative approach ensures that all stakeholders understand the rationale behind the field configurations and can contribute to informed decisions about page layout customization.

Workarounds and Solutions for Managing 'Always on Page' Fields

While 'Always on Page' fields cannot be removed from the layout, there are several strategies to manage their appearance and minimize their impact on the user interface. These workarounds allow administrators to create a streamlined and user-friendly experience while still adhering to system requirements.

Rearranging Fields: One of the simplest solutions is to rearrange the fields on the layout. By moving the 'Always on Page' fields to a less prominent section, such as the bottom of the page or a separate section, they can be de-emphasized without being removed. This allows users to focus on the most relevant information while still having access to the required fields.
Using Sections: Page sections can be used to group related fields and control their visibility. Creating a dedicated section for 'Always on Page' fields can help organize the layout and prevent these fields from cluttering the primary sections. Sections can also be collapsed by default, further minimizing their impact on the initial view.
Field-Level Security: Field-level security settings can control which users can view and edit specific fields. While this doesn't remove the fields from the layout, it can restrict access to them for certain profiles or users. This is useful when a field is required for system functionality but not relevant to all users. For example, if the Web Email field is primarily used for tracking web-generated cases, it can be hidden from users who handle phone inquiries.
Conditional Visibility: Dynamic Forms, a feature available in Lightning Experience, allows administrators to define rules for showing or hiding fields based on specific criteria. This can be used to conditionally display 'Always on Page' fields only when they are relevant. For example, the Web Email field could be displayed only when the case origin is 'Web.' This approach provides a highly customized and context-aware user experience.
Custom Development: In some cases, custom development might be necessary to address specific requirements. For example, a custom Lightning Web Component (LWC) could be created to display the required information in a different format or location. However, this approach should be used cautiously, as it can increase the complexity of the Salesforce implementation and require ongoing maintenance.
Reviewing Business Processes: Sometimes, the need for 'Always on Page' fields reflects underlying business processes or data requirements. Reviewing these processes and identifying opportunities for streamlining or automation can reduce the reliance on these fields. For example, if the Web Email field is used to trigger a specific workflow, the workflow could be modified to use a different trigger, potentially allowing the field to be de-emphasized.
Leveraging Help Text and Descriptions: Adding help text or descriptions to 'Always on Page' fields can clarify their purpose and importance. This can help users understand why the fields are required and how they contribute to the overall data model. Clear and concise descriptions can reduce confusion and improve data quality.

Specific Example: Managing Web Email and Contact Name on Case Layout

The inability to remove the Web Email and Contact Name fields from the Case layout is a common issue. These fields are essential for tracking cases submitted through web forms and linking them to the appropriate contacts. However, they might not be relevant in all scenarios, such as cases created via phone or email.

To manage these fields effectively, consider the following strategies:

Rearrange the Fields: Move the Web Email and Contact Name fields to a separate section or the bottom of the layout. This will de-emphasize them without removing them.
Use Conditional Visibility: If your organization uses Dynamic Forms, create a rule to display these fields only when the case origin is 'Web.' This ensures that they are visible only when relevant.
Field-Level Security: Restrict access to these fields for users who do not need to see them. For example, if some support agents handle only phone inquiries, you can hide these fields from their profiles.
Review Web-to-Case Configuration: Ensure that your Web-to-Case setup is correctly configured. The Web Email field is populated when a case is submitted through a web form. If cases are being created through other channels, this field might remain blank, indicating an opportunity for process improvement.

Best Practices for Page Layout Customization

Customizing page layouts is a critical aspect of Salesforce administration. Following best practices ensures that layouts are user-friendly, efficient, and aligned with business requirements. Here are some key considerations:

Understand User Needs: Before making any changes, gather feedback from users and understand their pain points. What information do they need most frequently? What fields are causing confusion or clutter? Use this feedback to prioritize your customization efforts.
Minimize Clutter: Aim for a clean and uncluttered layout. Display only the most relevant fields and use sections to group related information. Avoid overwhelming users with too much data.
Use Sections Effectively: Sections can help organize the layout and improve readability. Use clear and descriptive section names. Consider using collapsible sections to hide less frequently used information.
Leverage Dynamic Forms: If you are using Lightning Experience, Dynamic Forms provides powerful capabilities for customizing page layouts. Use conditional visibility to display fields only when they are relevant.
Test Your Changes: Before deploying changes to production, test them thoroughly in a sandbox environment. Ensure that the new layout works as expected and does not introduce any issues.
Document Your Customizations: Keep a record of all page layout customizations. This will help you troubleshoot issues and maintain consistency over time.
Regularly Review and Update: Business requirements change over time. Regularly review your page layouts and update them as needed to ensure they remain aligned with business needs.

Conclusion

Understanding why some fields cannot be removed from Salesforce page layouts is essential for effective administration. 'Always on Page' fields are critical for system functionality, data integrity, and business processes. While these fields cannot be removed, there are several strategies to manage their appearance and minimize their impact on the user interface. By rearranging fields, using sections, leveraging field-level security, and employing Dynamic Forms, administrators can create streamlined and user-friendly layouts that meet both user needs and system requirements. Regularly reviewing and updating page layouts ensures that they remain aligned with evolving business needs and continue to provide value to users.