Notion Gallery View: Build Visual Card Layouts

Notion gallery view shows each database row as a visual card - ideal for portfolios, product catalogs, recipes, mood boards, and content libraries. When images matter more than dense spreadsheets, Gallery beats Table or Board.

This guide covers how to create a Notion gallery view, set card covers from Files & media, choose visible properties, and filter visual collections. See the database views overview for how Gallery fits alongside other layouts.

What is gallery view?

Gallery is a database layout that displays entries as a grid of cards. Each card usually shows:

1. A cover image
2. The page title
3. Selected properties (status, price, tags)

Use Gallery when people browse and pick visually. Switch to Table to bulk-edit properties, or Board to move items by Status.

How to create a Notion gallery view

1. Open the database.
2. Click + next to your view tabs (or Add view).
3. Select Gallery.
4. Name the view (e.g. "Portfolio" or "Product catalog").
5. Open view settings to choose card size, cover source, and visible properties.

Card size and layout

In gallery view settings you can typically adjust:

• Card size - small / medium / large (wording may vary by client)
• Fit image - how the cover fills the card
• Properties - which fields appear under the title

Keep cards scannable - 2 to 4 properties under the title is usually enough.

Set gallery card covers

Gallery cards pull images from:

1. A Files & media property (best for catalogs).
2. Page cover or content images when no file property is configured.

Recommended setup:

1. Add a Files & media property named Cover or Image.
2. Upload one strong image per row; put it first if multiple files exist.
3. Open Gallery view settings and point the preview/cover to that property when offered.
4. Hide unused properties so cards stay clean.

Without images, Gallery still works - cards show titles and properties only - but the layout loses its main advantage.

Filter, sort, and group in Gallery

Gallery supports the same view tools as other layouts:

• Filter - e.g. Status is Published, or Type Select is Recipe.
• Sort - newest first, price ascending, name A–Z.
• Group - sections by category or status (when available for gallery).

Save multiple galleries on one database - e.g. All products, In stock only, Featured.

Practical layout examples

Portfolio or case studies

1. Properties: Cover (Files & media), Role (Select), Year (Number).
2. Gallery sorted by Year descending.
3. Filter Role contains Design for a client-facing view.

Product or digital goods catalog

1. Cover image + Price (Number) + Tags (Multi-select).
2. Filter: Status is Available.
3. Open a card to see full description and purchase links.

Useful when promoting template packs - e.g. the Online Business Bundle.

Recipe or mood board

1. Photo in Files & media; Tags for cuisine or room type.
2. Gallery card size large for visual browsing.
3. Linked database on a trip or home page - see linked databases.

Content creative library

1. Cover = finished social graphic.
2. Platforms (Multi-select) + Status.
3. Filter by platform before scheduling - pair with Social Media Content Planner.

Gallery vs other views

Many databases keep Table for editing and Gallery for presenting.

Tips for teams

• Consistent image ratios - similar crops (e.g. 1:1 or 4:5) keep the grid tidy.
• One hero file first - reorder Files & media so the cover is file #1.
• Limit properties on cards - dump the rest inside the page.
• Name covers in the title - "Summer lookbook" beats "Untitled".
• Pair with Forms - intake photos via Forms Files questions, then browse in Gallery.

Permissions and troubleshooting

Who can edit gallery settings: members with Can edit access to the database.

Common issues:

• Blank covers - upload to Files & media or set page covers; confirm cover settings in the view.
• Wrong image showing - reorder files or remove extra attachments.
• Cards feel sparse - increase card size or show 1–2 more properties.
• Hard to edit data - keep a Table view for bulk changes; use Gallery for browsing.

FAQ

What is Notion gallery view?

A database layout that shows each row as an image card in a grid - used for portfolios, catalogs, and visual libraries.

How do I set images on Notion gallery cards?

Add a Files & media property, upload images, and configure the gallery cover/preview in view settings (or rely on page covers as a fallback).

Is gallery view available on the Free plan?

Yes. Gallery is a standard database view available on Notion plans that include databases - unlike Dashboard view, which requires Business or Enterprise.

Conclusion

Gallery view makes Notion databases visual - create a Gallery, drive covers from Files & media, show a few key properties, and filter for portfolios or catalogs. Keep a Table view nearby for editing, and use Board when workflow status matters more than imagery.

For all view types, see Notion database views. For attachment intake, see Files & media and Forms.