Page performance

This topic will help you improve performance in your Nintex Apps pages.

Understand page performance bottlenecks

Page performance issues usually appear in one of these areas. Check the following:

• Network latency: This is the time it takes for data processed in Nintex Apps in Apex to make its way through the internet to your web browser. On modern web browsers with fast internet connections, this is rarely an issue. However, it is good to at least measure this and eliminate it as a possible issue.

• Client-side processing and rendering: Once data from Salesforce makes its way to your web browser, the Nintex Apps JavaScript code kicks in and starts rendering the components on your page. Modern web browsers will usually perform this task very quickly, but this is a good aspect to measure as well.

Measure, tweak, measure

One of the most important concepts in optimizing any performance is to be careful not to micro-optimize. Micro-optimization is harmful when you sacrifice clarity for some small (or possibly nonexistent) performance gain. Performance tweaks are only useful when they produce faster performance, and we can only know this if we measure it. Modern web browsers include some amazing tools for figuring out exactly why and at what step of the process your Nintex Apps page is taking the most time. The general cycle that we'll follow is below.

• Measure: Use the tools mentioned in this topic to check how long each step of your page takes. Since page load times can change, run the tests several times to get a good idea of the usual performance.

• Tweak: Once you know which areas take the most time, make one of the changes suggested in this topic to improve those areas.

• Measure: To determine if your tweak actually made a difference, measure the performance of your page again.

Diagnose client-side issues

After looking at the Network tab in your web browser's developer console, if you've determined that client side performance is your problem, follow the tips below.

• Use a modern web browser: Self updating, modern browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edgeare the best way to experience Nintex Apps. These browsers are sometimes 10 to 20 times faster than older browsers like Internet Explorer.

• Consolidate CSS and JavaScript files to minimize HTTP requests: The more HTTP requests your page makes for resources, the slower it can be. However, be sure not to do these kind of optimizations unless your measurements show that it would help.

• Reduce the page size of your Table components: The more elements your browser has to render on page load, the slower it will be. Changing the Visible rows property on your tables from Show all to 10 could improve client-side performance.

• Defer rendering of tab contents property on Tab Set components: Doing this will let your browser wait to render the contents of tabs until they are opened.

Tips for improving table filter and search performance

• Uncheck the Apply filters and Search immediately property on tables: Although this won't actually improve the performance of your queries, it could improve your users' experience. With this property unchecked, end users can set all of their filters exactly how they want them before executing a filter. When this check box is selected, filters are executed immediately after a filter is changed.

• Improve query performance section: If inefficient SOQL is generated by your filters, your response times will be slow.

• Specify individual search fields and operators: By default, table searches are executed on all searchable fields. This is great for small data sets, but for larger ones, this can cause searches to be slow. Nintex Apps allows you to specify exactly which fields are searched and which operators to use. Remember that contains operators are the slowest.

• Use SOSL to improve search performance: If you select the Use SOSL to improve search performance check box, the table will use Salesforce's specialized search language to complete your search. This will usually improve search performance. However, there are some drawbacks including the inability to search data on parent records.

Diagnose and improve lookup search performance

To investigate lookup search performance issues, search into a lookup search field. An apexremote line item will display in your network console. Then, follow these tips: 

• Improve query performance section: If inefficient SOQL is generated by your filters, your response times will be slow.

• Specify individual search fields and operators: By default, table searches are executed on all searchable fields. This is great for small data sets, but for larger ones, this can cause searches to be slow. Nintex Apps allows you to specify exactly which fields are searched and which operators to use. Remember that contains operators are the slowest.

• Use SOSL to improve search performance: If you select the Use SOSL to improve search performance check box, the table will use Salesforce's specialized search language to complete your search. This will usually improve search performance. However, there are some drawbacks including the inability to search data on parent records.