# Where customization happens: Setup and Object Manager

*Platform Foundations Study Guide · Navigation · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-foundations/navigation/where-customization-happens-setup-and-object-manager*

Customization happens in Setup, not on the pages users work in: Quick Find and the three Setup menu categories, Object Manager for fields, picklists and layouts, the Lightning App Builder for pages, and App Manager for an app's branding, navigation and utility bar.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Foundations
- Exam section: Navigation
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, identify where Salesforce customization takes place.

## What the exam expects

- Open Setup, and reach a Setup page fast with Quick Find or Recent Items.
- Pick the Setup menu category for a task: Administration, Platform Tools or Settings.
- Use Object Manager for an object's fields, picklist values, page layouts, compact layouts and record types.
- Use the Lightning App Builder to add components to record, Home and app pages and to activate them.
- Change an app's branding, navigation and utility bar through App Manager.
- Tell an org-wide customization from a user's own personal settings.

Key terms:
- **Setup:** where you customize, configure and support your org.
- **Object Manager:** one entry point to every standard and custom object and its settings.
- **Lightning App Builder:** a point-and-click tool for building Lightning pages from components.
- **Compact layout:** the object's key fields shown in a record's highlights panel.
- **Utility bar:** a footer in a Lightning app with instant access to productivity tools.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reach Setup | Gear menu at the top of any page, then Setup | [Navigate Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/starting_force_com/starting_tour) |
| Quick Find | Navigates to any Setup page by keyword | [Learn to Use Setup and the Object Manager](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/setup-quick-look/learn-to-use-setup-and-the-object-manager) |
| Setup pages and favorites | You can't favorite things in Setup pages | [Favorites Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites_considerations.htm&type=5) |
| Administration category | Users and data, including import and export | [Navigate Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/starting_force_com/starting_tour) |
| Picklist values | Edited on the field in Object Manager, not on the record | [Get Started with Picklists](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/picklist_admin/picklist_admin_start) |
| Add a custom field | Object Manager, object, Fields & Relationships, New | [Learn to Use Setup and the Object Manager](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/setup-quick-look/learn-to-use-setup-and-the-object-manager) |
| Highlights panel fields | Up to the first seven fields of the compact layout | [Compact Layouts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.compact_layout_overview.htm&type=5) |
| Lightning page types | Record, Home and app pages | [Get Started with the Lightning App Builder](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lightning_app_builder/lightning_app_builder_intro) |
| Record page activation | Org, app, app + record type + profile, or form factor | [Build a Custom Record Page](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lightning_app_builder/lightning_app_builder_recordpage) |
| App branding and navigation | Edit the app from App Manager | [Get Help for Lightning App Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.lightning_app_builder_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why is Quick Find the fastest way to a Setup page?
- When would an admin open App Manager instead of Object Manager?
- Which three kinds of Lightning page can the Lightning App Builder create?
- Why can't an admin return to a Setup page with the favorites star?

## Sources

- [Learn to Use Setup and the Object Manager](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/setup-quick-look/learn-to-use-setup-and-the-object-manager)
- [Navigate Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/starting_force_com/starting_tour)
- [Get Started with the Lightning App Builder](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lightning_app_builder/lightning_app_builder_intro)
- [Get Help for Lightning App Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.lightning_app_builder_overview.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Build a Custom Record Page](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lightning_app_builder/lightning_app_builder_recordpage)
- [Get Started with Picklists](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/picklist_admin/picklist_admin_start)
- [Compact Layouts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.compact_layout_overview.htm&type=5)
- [Navigate Lightning Experience and Setup](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_migration_whatsnew/lex_migration_whatsnew_nav_setup)
- [Favorites Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.user_userdisplay_favorites_considerations.htm&type=5)
- [Access Your Personal Settings in Lightning Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.basics_nav_personal_settings_lex.htm&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 14 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams