# Lightning apps, compact layouts, Dynamic Forms and Path

*Platform App Builder Study Guide · User Interface · Last updated October 25, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder/user-interface/lightning-apps-compact-layouts-dynamic-forms-and-path*

Which declarative tool shapes each part of the Lightning Experience UI: Lightning apps and the utility bar, compact layouts in the highlights panel, Dynamic Forms fields and sections, Path, and how Classic page layout elements carry over.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform App Builder
- Exam section: User Interface
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder

**Official exam objective:**

> Describe the user interface customization options.

## What the exam expects

- Configure a Lightning app's branding, navigation, profiles and utility bar in App Manager, and upgrade Classic apps.
- Choose the compact layout, not the page layout, to change the record header, and assign it per record type.
- Use Dynamic Forms visibility rules, knowing which objects support it and that visibility is not security.
- Set up Path with key fields and guidance for each record type.
- Predict how each Classic page layout element renders, or fails to render, in Lightning Experience.

Key terms: **Lightning app** (a branded bundle of navigation items); **utility bar** (a fixed footer of tools in one app); **compact layout** (the highlights panel's key fields); **Dynamic Forms** (fields and sections as separate page components); **Path** (a step bar built on a picklist).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Experience highlights panel | Up to the first seven compact layout fields | [Compact Layouts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.compact_layout_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Compact layout assignment | One per record type; never per profile or user | [Compact Layout Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.compact_layout_notes.htm&type=5) |
| Unsupported compact layout fields | Text area, long text area, rich text area, multi-select picklist | [Compact Layout Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.compact_layout_notes.htm&type=5) |
| Utility bar from the App Builder or wizard | Assigned to only one Lightning app; no Visualforce | [Utility Bar](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.apps_lightning_utilities.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Classic app navigation | Not personalizable until upgraded in App Manager | [Adjust Your Existing Customizations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.lex_migrate_customizations.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Dynamic Forms objects | Most LWC-enabled objects; not Products, Events or Tasks | [Dynamic Forms](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.dynamic_forms_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Create, edit and clone fields on Dynamic Forms pages | Come from the Lightning page, not the page layout | [Dynamic Forms](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.dynamic_forms_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Field Section visibility rules | Evaluated only after the record is saved | [Dynamic Forms Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.dynamic_forms_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Path per step | Up to five key fields and 1,000 characters of guidance | [Create a Path](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.path_create.htm&type=5) |
| Unsupported layout elements | Expanded lookups, mobile cards, s-controls, Edit Page section header visibility, tags | [Page Layout Elements in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.layouts_in_lex.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a field that is tenth on the compact layout show on a phone but not on desktop?
- When does a Field Section visibility rule re-evaluate after a user changes a field?
- Why does a field added only to the page layout not appear in New on a Dynamic Forms page?
- What must you do before users can personalize the navigation bar of a Classic app?

## Sources

- [Break Up Your Record Details with Dynamic Forms](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.dynamic_forms_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Dynamic Forms Tips and Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.dynamic_forms_considerations.htm&type=5)
- [How Page Layout Elements Display in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.layouts_in_lex.htm&type=5)
- [Adjust Your Existing Customizations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.lex_migrate_customizations.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Customize Lightning Apps with the Lightning App Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.apps_lightning_customize.htm&type=5)
- [Add a Utility Bar to Lightning Apps](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.apps_lightning_utilities.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Compact Layouts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.compact_layout_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Compact Layout Limitations and Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.compact_layout_notes.htm&type=5)
- [Guide Users with Path](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.path_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Create a Path](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sales.path_create.htm&type=5)
- [Enhance Efficiency with Custom Lightning Apps (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_customization/lex_customization_apps)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 11 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform App Builder pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams