Layout visual indicators

concept australia Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read c_ConfigureLayoutVisualIndicators.md

The UI displays the following visual indicators when configuring the layout of a custom application's list or form.

You can only edit fields, views, and sections when you are in the same application scope as the form. Editable sections display:

Field selections with a white background.
Buttons to add or remove fields.
Save button with a blue background.
Editable fields in the Create new field section.

[Omitted image "FormLayoutEditable.png"] Alt text: Fields on a form appear differently when they can be edited or selected.

Views and sections in another application scope display as read only. Read-only sections have:

A warning message about the currently selected application scope and the scope of the form.
Field selections with a gray background.
No buttons to add or remove fields.
Save button with a gray background.
Read only fields in the Create new field section.

[Omitted image "FormLayoutReadonly.png"] Alt text: Read-only fields display as grayed out, with no selection available.

Related topics

Lists and forms in scoped applications

Available layout and design actions

Form design visual indicators

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---
title: Layout visual indicators
description: The UI displays the following visual indicators when configuring the layout of a custom application's list or form.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/c\_ConfigureLayoutVisualIndicators.html
release: australia
topic_type: concept
last_updated: "2026-09-10"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Lists and forms in scoped applications, Contextual development environment, Learning about developing on the ServiceNow AI Platform, Classic app development, Building applications]
---

# Layout visual indicators

The UI displays the following visual indicators when configuring the layout of a custom application's list or form.

You can only edit fields, views, and sections when you are in the same application scope as the form. Editable sections display:

- Field selections with a white background.
- Buttons to add or remove fields.
- Save button with a blue background.
- Editable fields in the **Create new field** section.

\[Omitted image "FormLayoutEditable.png"\] Alt text: Fields on a form appear differently when they can be edited or selected.

Views and sections in another application scope display as read only. Read-only sections have:

- A warning message about the currently selected application scope and the scope of the form.
- Field selections with a gray background.
- No buttons to add or remove fields.
- Save button with a gray background.
- Read only fields in the **Create new field** section.

\[Omitted image "FormLayoutReadonly.png"\] Alt text: Read-only fields display as grayed out, with no selection available.

**Related topics**

[Lists and forms in scoped applications](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/c_CreatingListsAndFormsScopedApps.md)

[Available layout and design actions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/r_AvailableLayoutAndDesignActions.md)

[Form design visual indicators](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/c_FormDesignVisualIndicators.md)