data-display-and-selection
Data Display and Selection
Complex data collections — products, files, users, orders, tasks — have no single correct view. Different tasks call for different views. Browsing benefits from grid; comparing details benefits from list or table; bulk management benefits from a dense table with mass actions. Give users the choice.
View Modes
Offer multiple views when the data has both visual and detailed dimensions.
| View | Best for | When to default |
|---|---|---|
| Grid | Visual items: products, images, files, cards | When items are visually distinct and browsing is the primary task |
| List | Moderate detail: tasks, emails, articles | When a key piece of text or metadata drives selection |
| Table | Dense data: orders, reports, user management | When multiple columns of data must be compared |
View toggle placement: top-right of the collection, adjacent to sort/filter controls. Use icon buttons with tooltips (grid, list, table). Persist the user's choice in localStorage.
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