Record Types are created in conjunction with custom Page Layouts (forms). By creating multiple record types, you can have a specialized data entry form specific to each type of matter your firm supports. When you create a new matter, you can select the Matter Record Type and the appropriate Page Layout is presented to record the appropriate data.
To Plan for Matter Record Types
- Make a list of each type of matter you support
- For each type, make a list of fields for the type of data you need to record
To Create Your Matter Record Types:
- Navigate to Setup | Application Setup | Create | Objects | Matter.
- Go to Page Layouts and Edit the first page layout.
- With the layout open, click Save As and name it for one of your new matter types.
- Repeat for each matter type you are going to create.
- Go to Custom Fields & Relationships and create all fields needed for all of your matter types. In the final step creating each field un-check the box next to the page layouts you do not want to add this new field to.
- Go to record types and select the New button.
- Create a record type for one of the matter types you are creating. Follow the steps to create the record type. Unless you have a custom security model, on the Profiles selection page, make sure all profiles are selected. When you are asked to assign a page layout, select the layout you created for this record type.