The quick answer
Open an eligible standard field’s help, click Customize, replace Help Text, and save. Choose Make as Default for Other Forms of the Same Type when the instruction should cover other forms of that record type. Reopen the help to check it. To restore the original text, use Remove Customization, confirm, and click Save.
The screenshots use sample data and fictional person and operating-company names.
Before you start
Use Administrator or a role with Full Customize Field Level Help permission. Only the Full permission level enables this customization. The standard field must expose Customize in its help. This example uses the Phone field on customer Harbor Service Group, whose number is +1 503 555 0148. The help override changes the applicable form/type help, rather than the customer’s phone value.
Multi-Language enables separate translations. Supply the required language-specific text; changing the main instruction does not translate it for other users.
01. Read the existing field help
Open Harbor Service Group and click the Phone label. Read the current help and confirm that it offers Customize. This tells you that the field supports a standard-help override.
02. Write the instruction
Click Customize. In Customize Standard Field Level Help, replace Help Text with:
Enter the customer's main business number. Include the country code. Put an extension after the number.
Keep the instruction specific to the value users must enter. Plain text or supported markup can be used; do not insert JavaScript.
03. Set the form scope and save
Select Make as Default for Other Forms of the Same Type to use the instruction as the default for other forms derived from the same form type. Leave it clear for the applicable form only. Review any language-specific translations, then click Save.
04. Reopen the help and check the saved text
Close the help and click Phone again. Confirm that the title includes (customized) and that the country-code and extension instruction appears. Check that the customer’s phone value remains +1 503 555 0148.
If the old help persists, reopen it and refresh the record first. Some users can see cached help for several hours. Clearing cookies is not a routine requirement.
05. Restore the standard help
Open the customized Phone help and click Customize, then Remove Customization. Confirm the prompt. The editor resets to standard help, but the removal is saved only when you click Save.
The walkthrough first cancels after removal to show that the saved override survives. It then repeats the removal and saves it. Reopen Phone help and confirm that the original instruction returns and the customer number remains unchanged. Review language-specific help as part of a multilingual reset. Administrators can also manage overrides through Customization > Lists, Records, & Fields > Custom Help for Standard Fields.
Common questions
Who can customize standard field help?
Use Administrator or a role with Full Customize Field Level Help permission. The field must expose Customize in its help window; some standard fields are not eligible.
Does changing the help change the field value?
No. The operation changes the help instruction. Check the stored value separately when you verify the result.
How do I use the instruction on other forms?
Select Make as Default for Other Forms of the Same Type before saving. Leave it clear for the applicable form context. If Multi-Language is enabled, enter the language-specific help you need; the main instruction is not translated automatically.
How do I restore the standard text?
Open the customized help, choose Customize and Remove Customization, confirm, and click Save. Cancel discards the pending reset. Reopen the help to check the original instruction; cached help can delay the visible change.