When you work with data in a Notion database, you often need to see the same information in different layouts. A table view shows items in rows and columns for detailed editing, while a board view groups items by status or category using cards. Notion lets you switch between these views instantly without changing the underlying data. This article explains the exact steps to create, switch, and manage table and board views in any Notion database.
Key Takeaways: Switching Between Table and Board Views in Notion
- View switcher at the top of a database: Click the current view name to see all views and select a different one.
- Add a View button (+): Creates a new table or board view from scratch with its own filters and sorts.
- Group property in board view: Select the column that determines how cards are stacked into columns.
How Table and Board Views Work in Notion
A Notion database can contain multiple views of the same set of pages. Each view is a saved configuration of filters, sorts, and layout. A table view displays every property as a column, making it easy to edit fields directly. A board view groups pages by a selected property, such as Status or Priority, and shows each page as a card that you can drag between columns.
You do not need to duplicate data or create separate databases for different layouts. All views share the same database pages. When you edit a property in one view, the change appears in every other view of the same database. This is useful for teams that need both a detailed spreadsheet and a visual kanban board for the same project.
Prerequisites for Switching Views
To switch between table and board views, you need a database that already contains at least one property. For a board view to show columns, you must have a property with distinct values such as To Do, In Progress, and Done. Common properties for board grouping include Select, Status, or Formula properties that return text.
Steps to Switch Between Table and Board Views
- Open the database view switcher
Navigate to any Notion page that contains a database. Look at the top-left corner of the database block. You will see the current view name, such as Table View. Click that name to open the view switcher menu. - Select an existing view
In the view switcher menu, you will see a list of all views saved for this database. Click the name of the view you want to switch to. The database layout changes immediately to that view. - Add a new table view
If no table view exists yet, click the view switcher menu and select Add a view. In the dialog that appears, type a name for the new view, such as Detailed Table. From the View type dropdown, choose Table. Click Create. The database now shows a table layout. - Add a new board view
Open the view switcher menu again and click Add a view. Enter a name like Kanban Board. In the View type dropdown, select Board. Click Create. The database switches to a board layout. By default, Notion groups cards by the first Select property it finds. - Change the board grouping property
In the board view, click the Group by button at the top-right of the database. A dropdown shows all properties in the database. Select the property you want to use for grouping, such as Status. The board updates immediately to show one column per unique value in that property. - Rename or reorder views
Open the view switcher menu. Hover over any view name and click the pencil icon that appears. Type a new name. To reorder views, drag the six-dot handle next to a view name up or down in the list.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Switching Views
Board view shows no columns or only one column
This happens when the property selected for grouping has the same value for all pages, or when no property is set. Open the Group by menu and choose a different property that has at least two distinct values. Ensure that at least one page has a value for that property.
Changes made in one view disappear in another view
This is not a bug. Each view has its own filter and sort settings. If you add a filter that hides certain pages in the table view, those pages will not appear in the board view either, unless you adjust the filter. Check the Filter button at the top-right of each view to see if filters are active.
Cannot drag cards between columns in board view
Dragging a card to a different column changes the value of the grouping property for that page. If the property is locked or read-only, dragging will not work. Make sure the property used for grouping is editable. Also, the board view must not have a filter that excludes the destination column value.
Table View vs Board View: Key Differences
| Feature | Table View | Board View |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Rows and columns | Columns of cards |
| Best for | Editing many properties quickly | Tracking progress across stages |
| Grouping | Not available by default | Required — groups by a property |
| Inline editing | Yes, click any cell | Yes, click card title |
| Drag and drop | Reorder rows only | Move cards between columns |
| Filter support | Yes | Yes |
| Sort support | Yes | Yes |
You can now switch between table and board views in any Notion database without losing data or duplicating work. Start by opening a database and using the view switcher to add a board view if you track statuses. For advanced use, try adding a linked database view on another page and setting a different layout there while keeping the original database unchanged.