Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Why Customize the Dolibarr UI?

  3. Overview of the CustomizeInterface Module

  4. Prerequisites and Compatibility

  5. Installing the CustomizeInterface Module

  6. Activating and Accessing the Module

  7. Functional Overview of UI Customization Options

  8. Hiding and Showing Fields and Menus

  9. Reordering Tabs and Blocks

  10. Adding Custom Fields and Sections

  11. Injecting Custom HTML and CSS

  12. User Role-Specific Customizations

  13. Real-World Use Cases and Examples

  14. Limitations and Considerations

  15. Best Practices for Sustainable Customization

  16. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Dolibarr ERP/CRM is renowned for its modularity, openness, and customizability. However, out-of-the-box, the user interface is designed to be as universally applicable as possible. This often results in layouts that may feel cluttered, redundant, or not perfectly aligned with a company’s specific workflow. Enter the CustomizeInterface module—an advanced solution that allows administrators to tweak the UI without editing core files. In this guide, we’ll explore how to leverage this module to tailor Dolibarr’s interface to your business’s exact needs.

2. Why Customize the Dolibarr UI?

User interface customization can dramatically improve productivity, user satisfaction, and operational efficiency. The main motivations for UI adjustments include:

  • Simplifying screens by hiding unused fields or tabs

  • Highlighting key information to speed up decision-making

  • Tailoring forms and listings to match internal processes

  • Improving accessibility for users with specific needs

  • Maintaining a cleaner and more brand-aligned interface

Dolibarr’s default flexibility already supports some personalization, but the CustomizeInterface module takes it to the next level.

3. Overview of the CustomizeInterface Module

CustomizeInterface is a Dolibarr extension (often found on Dolistore) that empowers admins to:

  • Show/hide fields, menus, buttons, and sections

  • Change label texts without touching language files

  • Add tooltips or instructional text

  • Reorder or remove UI elements like tabs

  • Add custom HTML blocks or styling

It does so without touching core files, which helps maintain upgradability and module integrity.

4. Prerequisites and Compatibility

To install and use CustomizeInterface effectively:

  • Dolibarr version 12 or higher is recommended

  • PHP 7.4 or later

  • Admin access to Dolibarr

  • FTP or file manager access (for installation)

Ensure that any themes or UI modules (like Oblyon) are also compatible with CustomizeInterface, as they may override similar elements.

5. Installing the CustomizeInterface Module

  1. Purchase or download the module from Dolistore

  2. Extract the ZIP archive

  3. Upload the folder to /custom/customizeinterface/

  4. Go to Home > Setup > Modules/Applications

  5. Search for “CustomizeInterface” and click Activate

Once activated, the module appears in the Admin Tools or Setup area depending on your Dolibarr version.

6. Activating and Accessing the Module

After installation:

  • Navigate to Home > Setup > CustomizeInterface

  • Choose the target entity (e.g., Thirdparty, Invoice, Product)

  • Use the visual interface to adjust available options

The changes are saved to a configuration database, so no file edits are required.

7. Functional Overview of UI Customization Options

Key capabilities include:

  • Field control: Show/hide or rename fields

  • Block control: Remove unused sections (e.g., bank account info if irrelevant)

  • Tab management: Hide tabs (like Linked Documents) for certain users

  • Menu visibility: Tailor the left/right menus per user or group

  • Label editing: Rename fields and add descriptions

  • HTML injection: Insert banners, footers, or custom instructions

8. Hiding and Showing Fields and Menus

Hiding Unused Fields

You can declutter screens by turning off fields such as:

  • VAT Number

  • Customer Code

  • Internal Notes

This is done via checkboxes in the CustomizeInterface UI, with real-time preview on some versions.

Menu Simplification

For less experienced users, hiding modules like "Stock" or "Projects" can reduce overwhelm. This is especially helpful for CRM-only users or employees with a narrow focus.

9. Reordering Tabs and Blocks

You can rearrange the order of:

  • Form blocks (e.g., company details before contacts)

  • Tabs (e.g., placing "Invoices" before "Orders" in customer cards)

Drag-and-drop functionality (depending on version) allows for fast prototyping and testing.

10. Adding Custom Fields and Sections

Although not a full replacement for the ExtraFields module, CustomizeInterface allows:

  • Insertion of non-editable blocks with information or instructions

  • In-context reminders or compliance guidelines

For example:

<div class="info-box">Reminder: Always verify VAT before issuing invoice.</div>

This can significantly improve data quality and training.

11. Injecting Custom HTML and CSS

For businesses needing advanced UI tweaks:

  • HTML blocks can be added above or below form fields

  • Custom CSS can override theme styles

Placeholders and shortcodes let you dynamically insert data:

  • __USER__, __DATE__, __ENTITY_NAME__

Be cautious with unescaped HTML or JavaScript.

12. User Role-Specific Customizations

Customizations can be applied globally or filtered by:

  • User ID

  • User Group (e.g., Sales, Finance)

  • Permissions (e.g., External users vs Internal)

This allows different UI layouts for:

  • Admins (all data exposed)

  • Sales reps (streamlined input forms)

  • Clients (minimal and read-only UI)

13. Real-World Use Cases and Examples

Example 1: Sales Portal Simplification

A company uses CustomizeInterface to hide all fields except contact info, products, and pricing. The result: faster data entry and fewer errors from the sales team.

Example 2: Onboarding Dashboard

Added a custom HTML banner with links to user guides, support contacts, and daily checklist right on the homepage.

Example 3: Compliance-Driven Label Adjustments

Financial terms like “Due Date” changed to “Payment Deadline” to match legal requirements.

14. Limitations and Considerations

  • Not all third-party modules expose elements to CustomizeInterface

  • Some themes may override or conflict with the module’s DOM targeting

  • It doesn’t provide backend logic changes—purely visual

  • Performance may be slightly affected if many HTML blocks are injected

Always test changes on a staging environment before deploying live.

15. Best Practices for Sustainable Customization

  • Document every customization for future admins

  • Avoid excessive hiding—it can confuse power users

  • Backup before and after major UI changes

  • Combine with ExtraFields for full data flexibility

  • Recheck after Dolibarr upgrades for compatibility

16. Conclusion

The CustomizeInterface module is a powerful addition to any Dolibarr instance, offering deep control over how users interact with the system. From decluttering complex forms to delivering role-based UI views, it enhances productivity and user satisfaction. When used strategically, CustomizeInterface becomes a cornerstone of an efficient, scalable, and user-friendly ERP implementation.