Learn how to create and use grids to arrange your page content in a table-like layout.
Grids are a simpler alternative to Coda database tables, making it easy to create beautiful information layouts. You can use grids for elements like a pro-con list or other simple documentation that you might want to have in a doc, without needing to set up column types or worry about distracting your readers with extra table elements cluttering things up.
Within this article, you’ll find...
Add a grid
You can add a grid to your docs through two primary paths: the Insert menu or the slash command.
Type /grid into your doc canvas, then select grid from the list of options
Click the + icon that appears next to your cursor on a new line. This will open the insert menu. Select Grid in the list of options.
Unlike Coda database tables, grids will not appear as an object within the doc map and cannot be used to create different views.
To move a grid around your doc, you can select and drag from the three dot menu to the left of the grid. Alternatively, you can click on the vertical three dots near the upper left corner of the grid, then select the Move line option from the menu. From this menu, you can also cut/copy the grid to paste elsewhere in your docs, copy a direct link to the grid, or delete it altogether.
In each individual grid cell, you can add bullet points, numbered lists, and checkboxes, in addition to plain text. All of the text formatting options that are available for text in tables and on the canvas also apply—you can bold, italicize, and strikethrough text, change text color and highlighting, or display text as a quote or callout.
You can even comment and suggest changes on content within individual grid cells. And you can add images to grid cells and customize their display with captions and outlines.
Customize your grid
Add rows and columns
A new grid will have 3 rows and 3 columns by default. You can add and delete rows and columns as needed.
To add rows or columns, click the + icon below the last row and to the right of the last column.
To remove a row or column, hover over the top of a column or the left edge of a row to select it. The entire row/column will be highlighted in blue. From there, you can use the delete key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click on a selected row or click the three-dot menu for a selected column, then select Delete row/column.
Adjust size and order
The size and placement of the rows and columns can also be adjusted.
To adjust the width of a column, select the edge of the column and drag to adjust. Row height will be determined automatically based on the content inside each row.
To move a row or column to a different position, you can select it and drag it to where you want it to be. For columns, you can also click the three-dot menu (...) then select either move left or move right.
Each row and column can be duplicated by selecting it and clicking Duplicate from the option menu. From this menu, you can also insert a row or column before or after the current selection.
💡 Tip: Want your grid columns to be equal widths? We've made this easy for you. Just select all the columns you want to resize (use Shift or Command on your keyboard to enable multi-selection), then click on the icon shown in the screenshot below. This will resize all selected columns equally.
Add color to grid cells
You can also add fill color to the cells of your grid.
To add color to an individual cell, click into the cell, then click the color icon that appears and choose your color.
To add one color to an entire row or column, use the bars on the top or left to select that column/row. Then click the color icon and choose the desired color.
Convert grid to table
If at any point you decide you want to convert your grid into an actual Coda table, you can do so with a few easy clicks. For instance, maybe you started your grid as a simple way to lay out information but you now find yourself wanting to utilize or view the info in a more structured, dynamic way. In that case, just follow these steps:
Hover over the upper left corner of your grid, and select the vertical three-dot menu that appears
Choose Convert to table from the options
You'll see a pop-up notifying you that this is a one-way transformation. Click Convert to confirm.
That's it! Your grid is now a table. Learn all about tables here.
FAQs
How are grids different from Coda tables?
Grids are designed to lay out information, so they lack filters, sorts, views, table names, column names or any other advanced features you’ll find in Coda tables. Unlike tables, grids that have been added to your doc are not visible in the doc map or in the slash command.
When should I use a grid vs. a Coda table?
If you want to display some simple information, using a grid is a safe bet. In cases where you may need to make different views of something or perform formulaic actions, or you may want to reference this information in formulas or other areas of your Coda doc, a traditional Coda database table is more effective.
What elements can I add to a grid?
Grid cells can include text, including both formatted and unformatted text such as bulleted lists, checklists, quotes, and callouts. Grid cells can also include images and other file attachments, links, emojis, and line separators.
How do grids affect performance or doc size?
Grids have similar performance characteristics and size as a table. For instance, a doc with 500 grids is as large as a doc with 500 tables. Additionally, at certain sizes, you may see degraded render performance, which you can read more about here.