Meet the new table format
In 2023, we introduced custom post fields to help you collect structured data—but we were building toward something even bigger.
Today, we're introducing the table format: a way to view and interact with your padlet as an interactive table where every post becomes a row and every field becomes a column.
The table format gives you the organizational power of a spreadsheet with capabilities you won't find in Google Sheets. Upload images, embed videos, record audio, add drawings, all while maintaining the structure of rows and columns.
See it in action
Here's how the table format transforms existing padlets.
Parent contact directory
Before: Individual posts scattered across your padlet with inconsistent formatting. Hard to parse.
After: A clean, organized table where you can instantly filter by "Text" or "Email" preferences, sort alphabetically by name, or just quickly scan.
Book club organizer
Before: Discussion posts ratings buried in text. Hard to see what's been read or what's coming up next.
After: Every book in its own row with clear ratings, sortable by genre or discussion date, filterable by status to see "Upcoming" vs "Read."
Want more than just reading lists? Try the table format for classroom rubrics, student progress tracking, team task boards, or feedback forms. It’s flexible enough for any workflow.
More than a spreadsheet
Multimedia everywhere
Unlike traditional spreadsheets, your table can contain rich media. Add profile photos to your directory, embed reference videos in your rubric, or include audio recordings for language practice.
Smart fields, filtering, and sorting
Every column understands its data type and gives you powerful ways to organize information. You can sort date columns chronologically, number columns numerically, and single-select columns based on your custom order. Filter instantly by any single-select option. Your data stays clean because each field type enforces its format automatically.
Comments and reactions at your fingertips
Click any row to add comments and start discussions about that specific entry. We've also added a dedicated panel on the left that shows comments and reactions for easy access, since those columns might be all the way on the right in a wide table.
Powerful combinations
Excel exports
Export your table to Excel with all formatting preserved. Your multimedia content comes along as links, and your structured data transfers seamlessly.
Structured submission forms
Combine the table format with submission links to create surveys and forms with perfectly structured responses. When you add custom fields to your padlet, the submission form automatically includes those specific input types: date pickers, dropdown menus, number fields, and more. Each response becomes a new row with consistently formatted data.
Getting started
To try the table format:
- Create a new padlet
- Select "Table" from the layout options
- Add posts and see them instantly structured into organized rows
Alternatively, you can visit an existing padlet and adjust the format in the settings.
Your existing custom fields become columns automatically. Don't have custom fields yet? Add them from your padlet settings to create the perfect table structure. You can even add and edit fields directly from the table view for quick adjustments.
What's next
This is just the beginning for table format. We're exploring computed fields, advanced filtering options, and even more ways to visualize your structured data.
The table format represents months of foundation-building with custom fields, all leading to this moment where your padlets can be as organized as a database and as flexible as a canvas.
Ready to get organized? Try the table format today. We'd love to see what you build, so please share your creation with us!