# Baserow Views Overview - Types and Switching Guide

> Grid, gallery, and form each show the same Baserow table differently - see how switching, searching, and shared team views all fit together.

Source: https://opennix.org/en/docs/baserow/views/overview-of-baserow-views/


A view is a way to display a single Baserow table's data for a specific task, without copying anything or changing the underlying records. This article walks through the available view types, how to switch and search between them, and the difference between a collaborative view and its own individual settings.

## What is a view

A view lets you look at the same table data in different formats without duplicating any information: a grid for data entry, a gallery for visual browsing, and a form for collecting responses, all built from the same table.

When you edit data in any view, the change shows up in every other view immediately, because they all reference the same underlying records. Views belong to one table only and never carry over to another table or database.

## How views work

Every new table starts with a default grid view that displays data as rows and columns, like a spreadsheet. You can add further views in other formats for specific tasks.

Key principles:

- **Same data, different displays** - every view reads from the same table records;
- **Changes sync everywhere** - editing a record in one view updates it in all the others;
- **Independent settings** - each view keeps its own filters, sorts, and field visibility;
- **View-specific record visibility** - filters decide which rows appear in that particular view.

## Available view types

Open-source Baserow ships three view types, each built for a different workflow.

| View type | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| [Grid (default)](/docs/baserow/view-types/guide-to-grid-view/) | Data entry, bulk editing, spreadsheet-style work | Rows and columns, inline cell editing |
| [Gallery](/docs/baserow/view-types/guide-to-gallery-view/) | Visual content, images, portfolios | Card layout, image previews, cover image |
| [Form](/docs/baserow/view-types/guide-to-creating-forms-in-baserow/) | Data collection, questionnaires, intake | Shareable submission link, field validation |

## Switching between views

The view switcher in the table's upper-left corner takes you to any existing view.

1. Click the view switcher dropdown at the top of the table to see every view available for the current table.
2. Pick the view you want from the list.
3. If there are many views, type part of the name into the search box instead.
4. Click the view you found to switch to it.

## Searching for an existing view

Once a table has accumulated a lot of views, the search box in the switcher helps you find one by name.

1. Open the view switcher dropdown at the top of the table.
2. Type a search term into the "Search views" field to locate a view by name.
3. Results filter in real time as you type.
4. Select the view to jump to it.

## Configuring a view

Every view keeps its own independent set of options:

- **[Filters](/docs/baserow/views/filters-in-baserow/)** - show only records that match a condition;
- **Sorts** - order records by a field's value;
- **Field visibility** - hide or show specific columns;
- **[Grouping](/docs/baserow/views/group-rows-in-baserow/)** - roll records up by field value (grid view only).

For the full walkthrough of creating and duplicating views, see [Create custom views of your data](/docs/baserow/views/create-custom-views-of-your-data/); for every configuration option in one place, see [View customization](/docs/baserow/views/view-customization/).

## Collaborative views

By default, a new view is visible to every workspace member with access to the table, and everyone sees the same filters, sorts, and field visibility. That makes the default mode a good fit for team overviews and shared workflows. For a closer look at roles and access, see [Collaborative views](/docs/baserow/views/collaborative-views/).

## Frequently asked questions

**Do data changes in one view affect the others?** Yes. Every view displays the same underlying data. Edit a record in grid view and the change appears instantly in gallery view and any other view of that table. View-specific settings such as filters and sorts, though, stay independent.

**Can each view filter different records?** Yes. Each view keeps its own filters. Your grid view might show every record while your gallery view filters down to a specific status. Filters only control visibility - they never change the underlying data.

**How many views can a table have?** There is no limit. Create as many as you need for different tasks or teams. Views only exist inside their own table and never transfer to another table or database.

**Does imported data land in the table or in a view?** Importing data (CSV, JSON, or XML) adds it to the table itself, not to a particular view. Once imported, the data shows up in every view, subject to each view's own filters.

**Do views work across several tables at once?** No. Each view displays and filters records from a single table only. To combine data from multiple tables, use link-to-table and lookup fields, then build a view on top of that combined data.

## What's next

Now that you know the available view types, read [Create custom views of your data](/docs/baserow/views/create-custom-views-of-your-data/) to build your first additional view, or jump straight to [Filters in Baserow](/docs/baserow/views/filters-in-baserow/) to learn how to show only the records you need.