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How to Create a Gallery View in Coda

Learn how to turn any Coda table into a visual Gallery view with image cards, perfect for portfolios, catalogs, and team directories.

Quick answer

In Coda, build a table with an image column, then open the view menu and select Gallery (or Cards) layout to display rows as visual cards. Add titles, descriptions, and images to each row, adjust card sizing, and reorder fields so your gallery highlights the most important information for viewers.

Steps at a glance

  1. Create a new doc or open an existing one
  2. Insert a table and add your data
  3. Set an image column type for visuals
  4. Select the table and switch layout to Cards
  5. Adjust image sizing and card display options
  6. Edit individual cards to fine-tune content
  7. Reorder or filter fields shown on each card

Summary

Coda's Gallery view (built using the Cards layout option) turns a standard table into a grid of visual cards, ideal for showcasing products, team profiles, or project portfolios. It's available on the free plan and works with any table already in your doc, making it a quick way to add visual polish without extra tools.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Start a new document or open an existing one

    Click '+ New doc' from your Coda home screen, or open a document where you already have data. Give the doc a clear, descriptive name so collaborators know its purpose at a glance.

  2. Step 2

    Insert a table to hold your data

    Click the '+' icon in your doc canvas and select 'Table' from the insert menu. If you're starting fresh, you can also learn how to add rows to a table as you build out your dataset.

  3. Step 3

    Add and format your columns

    Enter your data into rows and columns, including at least a title field and a description field. Set up an image column by clicking the column header, choosing 'Change column type,' and selecting 'Image' — this is what makes your gallery visually engaging. For more detail on structuring your data, see how to add columns to a table.

  4. Step 4

    Switch the table to Cards layout

    Select the table, then click the view options button in the top-right corner of the table (usually shown as a layout icon or 'Options' menu). Choose 'Cards' from the available layout types to instantly convert your table into a gallery of visual cards.

  5. Step 5

    Adjust image and card display settings

    Use the layout settings panel to control image size, aspect ratio, and card spacing. Choose whether images should fill the card or fit within a bounded area, depending on the visual style you want.

  6. Step 6

    Edit individual cards

    Click on any card to open it and edit its contents directly. Click 'Add image' on a card if it doesn't already have one, and update titles or descriptions inline without leaving the gallery view.

  7. Step 7

    Refine which fields appear on each card

    Open the card's field settings to choose which columns display and in what order. Hide less important fields to keep cards clean, and reorder the remaining fields so the most relevant information appears first.

Why this matters

You're building a doc to showcase products, portfolio pieces, or team members, and a plain table feels flat. Switching to a Gallery view lets viewers scan images and key details at a glance, making your Coda doc feel more like a polished internal tool than a spreadsheet.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Gallery view available on Coda's free plan?

    Yes, the Cards layout that creates a gallery-style view is available to all users, including those on the free plan. No upgrade is required to use it.

  • Can I filter or sort a Gallery view?

    Yes, Gallery views support the same filtering and sorting options as regular table views. You can apply filters from the view options menu to control which cards appear.

  • Can I use a Gallery view alongside other views of the same data?

    Yes, Coda lets you create multiple views of the same table, so you can keep a standard table view and a Gallery view side by side, similar to how you might set up a calendar view for the same dataset.

  • Does Gallery view work well for team or client-facing docs?

    Yes, it's commonly used for portfolios, product catalogs, and team directories where visuals matter more than raw data. Pairing it with buttons for quick actions can make the doc feel more interactive.

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