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How to Create a Kanban Board in Coda

Learn how to turn any Coda table into a drag-and-drop Kanban board with status columns, custom colors, and grouped cards.

Quick answer

To create a Kanban board in Coda, build or open a table with a status column, click the view menu's three-dot icon, select Board from the view options, then customize columns by renaming stages, adding colors, and grouping cards by status to visualize your workflow stages clearly.

Steps at a glance

  1. Open your Coda doc and pick a table to convert
  2. Add a status column with stage values if missing
  3. Click the three-dot view menu on the table
  4. Select Board to switch to Kanban-style view
  5. Add or rename status columns for each workflow phase
  6. Customize card colors and display settings
  7. Drag cards between columns to update status

Summary

Coda's Board view turns any table into a visual Kanban board, grouping rows into draggable cards organized by a status column. It's built directly into the free plan, so teams can track projects, sprints, or content pipelines without a separate tool.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Step 1

    Open the table you want to visualize

    Open the Coda document containing the table or list you plan to turn into a Kanban board. If you're starting fresh, create a new table and use /guides/coda/add-rows-to-a-table to populate it with your tasks or project items before switching views.

  2. Step 2

    Confirm you have a status column

    A Kanban board needs a column with distinct stage values, like 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done,' since Coda groups cards by this column. If your table doesn't have one, use /guides/coda/add-columns-to-a-table to insert a select-list column and define your stage options.

  3. Step 3

    Switch the table to Board view

    Click the three-dot icon near the table's view controls to open the display options menu. Select 'Board' from the dropdown, and Coda instantly converts your rows into cards arranged in columns based on your status field.

  4. Step 4

    Add and organize status columns

    Click 'Add status column' or the plus icon at the end of the board to create additional stages that match your workflow, such as 'Backlog,' 'Review,' or 'Blocked.' Rename each column by clicking its header, and reorder columns by dragging them left or right.

  5. Step 5

    Customize card colors and layout

    Open the column settings menu to assign colors to each stage, making it easier to scan the board visually. You can also choose which fields appear on each card, such as due dates or assignee names, by adjusting card display settings.

  6. Step 6

    Move cards and assign owners

    Drag any card between columns to change its status instantly; the underlying table updates automatically. Use /guides/coda/assign-tasks to add owners to each card so team members know exactly what they're responsible for.

  7. Step 7

    Share the board and set permissions

    Click 'Share' in the top-right corner of the doc to invite collaborators or generate a link with view or edit access. Set permission levels based on who needs to move cards versus who only needs visibility, then consider pairing the board with /guides/coda/automate-tasks-with-buttons to trigger notifications when cards change status.

Why this matters

You're juggling a project with tasks stuck in email threads and spreadsheets, and nobody can see what's actually in progress at a glance. Building a Kanban board gives your team one shared view where dragging a card between columns instantly updates status for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is creating a Kanban board free in Coda?

    Yes, Board view is available on Coda's free plan with no upgrade required. You're only limited by the platform's general free-tier doc and row limits, not by the Kanban feature itself.

  • Can I start from a template instead of building a board from scratch?

    Yes, Coda's template gallery includes project tracker and task board templates that already have a Board view configured. Copying one into your workspace and editing the status columns is often faster than building a board from an empty table.

  • Can multiple people edit the same Kanban board at once?

    Yes, Coda supports real-time collaboration, so teammates with edit access can move cards, add rows, and update fields simultaneously. Changes sync instantly for everyone viewing the doc.

  • Does the Kanban board update if I change the underlying table?

    Yes, Board view is just an alternate display of the same table data. Any row you add, edit, or delete in the table view automatically reflects on the board, and vice versa.

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