We would like to raise an enhancement request regarding the current PEM form designer capabilities. Compared to the previous PEM experience, the current form layout options are significantly limited, making it difficult to build user-friendly and professional-looking forms.
Current Limitation
At present, the form builder only allows a row to be split once, resulting in a maximum of two columns per row.
This restriction creates challenges when designing forms that require:
- Compact layouts
- Better space utilization
- Logical grouping of fields
- Font Image, Size, Colors
- Improved user experience
- Responsive business forms with large numbers of inputs
For many business scenarios, two columns are not sufficient and result in unnecessarily long forms with excessive scrolling.
Comparison with Previous PEM
The previous PEM experience provided considerably more flexibility in form design and layout management. Form designers had greater control over how fields were arranged, allowing them to create cleaner and more intuitive user interfaces.
The current experience appears to be a step backward in terms of functionality and design flexibility.
Some capabilities that were available or easier to achieve previously include:
- Multiple columns within a single row
- More granular control over field placement
- Better alignment of related fields
- Improved visual organization of information
- More professional-looking business forms
- Efficient utilization of available screen space
Business Impact
The current layout restrictions have several negative impacts:
- Increased form length and scrolling.
- Reduced usability for end users.
- Less efficient use of screen real estate.
- Difficulty creating modern and professional-looking forms.
- Additional effort for form designers trying to accommodate layout requirements.
- Reduced adoption due to poorer user experience.
Requested Enhancements
We request the product team consider introducing the following capabilities:
Enhanced Column Layout Options
Allow users to define:
- 1-column layout
- 2-column layout
- 3-column layout
- 4-column layout
- Custom column distributions
Allow users to define:
- Specific Font, Size, Color for each row/column
Advanced Row Management
Enable users to:
- Add columns dynamically within existing rows.
- Insert new columns without recreating the layout.
- Resize column widths.
- Reorder fields using drag-and-drop.
Responsive Layout Controls
Allow forms to adapt automatically across:
- Desktop
- Tablet
- Mobile devices
Section-Based Design
Support grouping fields into sections with independent layout controls, allowing different column configurations within the same form.
Product Quality and Adoption Concerns
Forms are one of the primary user interaction points within the platform. Limiting designers to only two columns per row significantly constrains their ability to create intuitive and efficient user experiences.
The previous PEM offered greater flexibility, and the current limitations create the perception that functionality has regressed rather than evolved. This not only increases design effort but may also impact customer satisfaction and adoption of the new PEM experience.
We recommend prioritizing enhancements to the form layout engine so that form designers can create modern, compact, and business-friendly forms without unnecessary workarounds.
