How to Use Search Layouts

Search layouts control which fields appear when a record comes back in a search, so results are identifiable rather than a list of generic names.

On this page:

• What they control
• Global search results
• Default search layout
• Configuring a search layout

What they control

Each object and profile combination has its own search layout, which sets which fields appear in that object’s search results. The first two fields set in an object’s search layout are what shows in the entries as a user types into the global search bar. Search layouts also apply to lookup relationship fields, since the same layout determines what appears in a lookup field’s suggested-results dropdown.

If a user doesn’t have permission to view a field in the results grid, that cell is left empty rather than showing the value.

Global search results

Up to 30 matching results appear directly below the search box as a user types. Pressing Enter, or clicking a result, opens the full global search results page, where the results grid for each object follows that object’s search layout. A text box in the upper right of that page lets users refine the search further.

Default search layout

Every object has a default search layout, applied to any profile that hasn’t been assigned a specific one. Editing the default layout changes results for every profile still using it.

Configuring a search layout

1. Go to System Settings > Objects and Fields.
2. Select a standard or custom object.
3. Click Search Layouts.
4. Each profile has its own search layout, listed alongside the Default Search Layout.
5. Open the three-dot menu on the layout you want to change and select Edit This Search Layout.
6. Move fields between Available Columns and Visible Columns using the arrows.
7. Reorder fields in Visible Columns with the up and down arrows.
8. Click Save Search Layout.