> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.notionapps.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.notionapps.com/screens-and-components/type-of-components/view-data-components.md).

# View data components

Canonical family page for every **view** component. Replaces the one-sentence stubs. Inputs are on [Add/Update data components](/screens-and-components/type-of-components/add-update-data-components.md). Comments stay on [Comments](/screens-and-components/type-of-components/comments.md).

## What this is / when to use it

Use a view component when the user should **read** a value or a layout block. Use an input when they should change it.

## Before you start

The screen is Details, Content, a list row, or the read-only part of an update screen. The property exists if the block is data-backed.

## Build it

1. Add component → pick the type in the table.
2. Bind the property when required.
3. Set visibility.
4. Preview empty and filled states.

## Every control

| Type              | Enum                | Property                     | Type-specific controls                | When to use                      |
| ----------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Details           | `DETAILS`           | Record                       | Layout of the details header          | The built-in details chrome      |
| View data         | `VIEW_DATA`         | Any displayable              | Label, empty text                     | Generic read-only value          |
| Metric card       | `METRIC_CARD`       | Number / rollup / formula    | Label, comparison, format             | KPI on details or content        |
| Media gallery     | `MEDIA_GALLERY`     | Files                        | Image vs video, captions              | Multiple files as a gallery      |
| Status timeline   | `STATUS_TIMELINE`   | Status / select + dates      | Sort                                  | History of status changes        |
| Unique ID chip    | `UNIQUE_ID_CHIP`    | `unique_id` (stored as text) | Copy-to-clipboard                     | Show the Notion unique id        |
| Show image        | `SHOW_IMAGE`        | Files / URL                  | Style, fill, orientation              | One image                        |
| Show video        | `SHOW_VIDEO`        | Files / URL                  | Poster                                | One video                        |
| Show toggle       | `SHOW_TOGGLE`       | Checkbox                     | On/off labels                         | Read-only checkbox               |
| Show URL          | `SHOW_URL`          | URL                          | Open in new tab                       | Clickable link                   |
| View file         | `VIEW_FILE`         | Files                        | Download                              | Non-image files                  |
| Contact           | `CONTACT`           | Email / phone                | `email` / `phoneNumber` subcomponents | Tap to mail or dial              |
| Heading           | `HEADING`           | —                            | Overlay vs normal                     | Section title                    |
| Label             | `LABEL`             | —                            | Size                                  | Helper text                      |
| Divider           | `DIVIDER`           | —                            | —                                     | Visual break                     |
| Section           | `SECTION`           | —                            | Title, stepper membership             | Group fields (forms)             |
| HTML block        | `HTML_BLOCK`        | —                            | HTML                                  | Custom markup on content/details |
| Show page content | `SHOW_PAGE_CONTENT` | Page                         | TOC, guest vs signed-in               | Notion page body                 |
| Show user         | `SHOW_USER`         | People / user (as text)      | —                                     | Display who is on the row        |
| View location     | `VIEW_LOCATION`     | Location                     | Map type                              | Map pin                          |
| View address      | `VIEW_ADDRESS`      | Address                      | —                                     | Formatted address                |
| View signature    | `VIEW_SIGNATURE`    | Signature                    | —                                     | Signed image                     |

How-tos for Metric card, Media gallery, Status timeline, and Unique ID chip remain short jobs that link to this table.

## What users see

They see the current value, or the empty state you configured. They cannot change the Notion property from a view component. Buttons and comments are separate types.

## Limits and plans

* `unique_id` is mapped to **text**. The chip is display + copy, not an editor.
* People / created\_by / last\_edited\_by are mapped to **text**. Show user displays that string; it is not a live Notion people picker.
* Files are mapped to **URL** internally. Preview still works when the file is a Notion file.
* Formula and rollup display as text (or number when the metric card can parse them). They never write back.
* HTML block is not a replacement for a Content screen. Prefer [Content](https://docs.notionapps.com/screens-and-components/types-of-screens/content) for landing pages.
* Show page content freshness follows [Reload and sync](https://docs.notionapps.com/databases/reload-and-sync#page-content).

## Example

A client details screen: Heading “Delivery”, Unique ID chip, Status timeline, Media gallery of files, Show page content for the brief, Contact for the PM.

## Fix problems

| Symptom               | Likely cause                              | What to do                                               |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Metric card is blank  | Property is not numeric                   | Bind a number, or a rollup that returns a number.        |
| Unique ID chip empty  | Database has no unique\_id, or not synced | Add the property in Notion. Sync.                        |
| Page content stale    | Blocks not re-fetched                     | Reload page content. See sync manual.                    |
| People shows a raw id | Mapped as text                            | That is expected. Use a User input if you need a picker. |

## Related

Inputs: [Add/Update data components](/screens-and-components/type-of-components/add-update-data-components.md). Page body: [Show Page Content](https://docs.notionapps.com/screens-and-components/show-page-content). Content screens: [Content](https://docs.notionapps.com/screens-and-components/types-of-screens/content).