form_layout

Form layout provides a lightweight, intuitive way to organise content entity edit forms into tabs or accordions.

It adds a dedicated Manage form layout tab to the Manage form display interface, allowing site builders to organise fields into regions without cluttering the main field list.

Form layout is a focused alternative to Field Group for organising entity edit forms, providing clean, predictable grouping without overloading the Field UI.

Why this exists

The Field Group module is commonly used to organise fields on entity edit forms. It is a mature and capable solution, and remains the right choice for many projects.

However, for sites that only require clear grouping on edit forms, Field Group can introduce more configuration and UI complexity than is necessary. Its scope spans both form and display concerns, and layout configuration is integrated directly into the main Field UI.

Form layout was created to address this narrower use case. It focuses exclusively on edit form organisation, keeps layout concerns separate from field widget management, and stores configuration directly on the form display entity for clarity, stability, and predictable behaviour.

Features

• Dedicated configuration UI: Adds a clean, separate Form layout tab to the Manage form display page, keeping layout assignments separate from widget configuration.
• Drag-and-drop organisation: Assign fields to tabs or accordions using a familiar draggable table interface.
• Flexible layout options: Choose between:
  • Vertical tabs: Ideal for complex entities with extensive metadata.
  • Horizontal tabs: Suitable for separating clearly defined content areas.
  • Details / accordions: Standard collapsible sections using core form elements.
• Smart group hiding: Automatically hides any tab or accordion that contains no accessible fields,
  keeping the editorial interface clean and focused.
• Form mode support: Configure different layouts per form mode (for example, a simplified layout for a Register mode versus the default administrative form).
• Per‑display enablement: Enable or disable Form layout per form display, without changing global settings.
• Paragraphs compatibility: Supports nested layouts within Paragraphs widgets so component‑based content stays manageable.

Post-installation

1. Configure entity types: Navigate to Administration > Configuration > Content > Form layout and select which entity types (Node, Media, Paragraph, etc.) should have layout functionality enabled.
2. Access the configuration: Go to the Manage form layout page for the desired entity bundle (for example: Structure > Content types > Article > Manage form layout).
3. Enable and define:
   • Enable Form layout for this display.
   • Define your regions in the table using Label and Machine key.
   • Optionally set 'Open by default' for one group.
   • Choose your layout type (for example: Vertical tabs).
4. Assign fields: Use the draggable table to move fields into your defined regions.
5. Save: Your form is now organised.

Additional requirements

Requires Drupal core plus the core Field UI module.

Recommended modules

• Paragraphs: Form layout is compatible with Paragraphs widgets for nested, component‑based content.

Similar projects

• Field Group: A widely used solution for grouping fields. Form layout distinguishes itself by providing a dedicated UI for layout assignments, keeping field management and form structure clearly separated.

Supporting this module

If you would like to support development of this module, please consider contributing via the Drupal issue queue.