What is a View
A View is a particular way of displaying a Grid. It determines which entries are visible, in what order they appear, how they're grouped, and which columns show up.
A view doesn't change the data. It's a lens on the same Grid.
Why this matters
This is the most common point of confusion in ApptiveGrid. Get the distinction clear early on:
| Grid | View | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains | the data | only display rules |
| On deletion | data is gone | data is retained |
| Count | one per dataset | any number per Grid |
A Grid "Tasks" can simultaneously have:
- a table with all tasks,
- a filtered table with only open tasks,
- a Kanban board by status,
- a calendar by due date.
Four views, one dataset. If someone changes a task in the Kanban board, the change is immediately visible in every other view.
Deleting a view affects forms
Forms and shared links are attached to a view. When deleting, ApptiveGrid warns that your created forms will no longer work after deletion.
Before deleting, check whether forms or shared links are attached to this view. The dataset is retained, but an externally distributed form link becomes invalid.
The seven view types
Grid view
The classic table: rows are entries, columns are fields. The default and the starting point for everything else.
Suited for: data maintenance, bulk editing, a complete overview.
Kanban
Cards in columns that can be moved via drag and drop. The columns come from a field of type Single Select — usually a status field.
Which details appear on a card is configured per view.
Suited for: workflows with clear stages such as applications, tickets, sales opportunities.
→ Kanban
Calendar
Entries on a calendar sheet, positioned via a date field.
Suited for: appointments, deadlines, bookings.
→ Calendar
Map
Entries as markers on a map, positioned via a field of type Address or Geolocation.
Requirement for addresses
For an address to appear as a map marker, coordinates have to be determined for it. This geocoding depends on your plan. For fields of type Geolocation with directly entered coordinates, this restriction doesn't apply.
→ Map
Gallery
Entries as cards with images. The card layout is configurable.
Suited for: product catalogs, people directories, anything image-heavy.
→ Gallery
List
A compact, stacked display — more space-efficient than the table and especially readable on narrow screens.
→ List
Timeline
Entries on a timeline, in the Day, Week, Month, and Year grids. Suited for project planning and booking schedules.
Two requirements
- A field of type Link multiple records. Without it, ApptiveGrid reports: To see a Timeline, your Grid needs a column of type multiple link. This link field determines the rows of the timeline.
- Date fields in the linked Grid for start and end. If they're missing, ApptiveGrid reports: The referenced Grid has no date or date-time fields.
The Timeline is thus the only view configured across two Grids.
It's also plan-dependent.
→ Timeline
Create a view
- In the sidebar, under the Grid, select the Views area.
- Click Create view.
- Choose the view type.
- Give it a name.
Duplicating saves work
Via More (⋮) → Duplicate, you create a copy with all filters, sorts, and column settings. Faster than building a similar view from scratch.
What belongs to the view and what belongs to the Grid
This distinction saves a lot of confusion within a team:
| Setting | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Filter | this view only |
| Sort | this view only |
| Grouping | this view only |
| Hidden columns | this view only |
| Column order | this view only |
| Locked columns | this view only |
| Empty state text | this view only |
| Field name | the entire Grid |
| Column type | the entire Grid |
| Select options | the entire Grid |
| Entries and values | the entire Grid |
In short: anything to do with display belongs to the view. Anything to do with structure and content belongs to the Grid.
So renaming a column changes it everywhere. Hiding a column only affects your view.
Sharing a view
Every view can be shared as a private link. Recipients only see the data visible in this view — filters and hidden columns act as a visual barrier too.
Filters aren't full access protection
For truly sensitive data, don't rely solely on hiding it in a shared view. Also apply an access restriction to the link.