Is there a way to make the fields on LayoutX default to be read only (not editable), then with the flip of a global switch and some clever scripting LayoutX becomes editable. I understand I can do this with two layouts, however this would make the solution more cumbersome to manage. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

2 layouts for this would be cumbersome? hmm... i think u can disallow all the fields to be entered in the "View only" one in Browse mode, in which case the user cannot enter the fields at all, not even to modify them.

then simply use "duplicate layout", and set all fields to be allowed to enter in browse mode for "Editable".

this should be quick in nature for 2 layouts, no? but the scripting part for this type of conditionality, if there are many cases like this... sure is cumbersome.

otherwise... i really dont know which script step or function that can change access privileges beside a "relogin" as a different user with different access privileges.