---
title: Document Views
label: Document Views
order: 50
desc:
keywords:
---

Document Views consist of multiple, individual views that together represent any single [Collection](../configuration/collections) or [Global](../configuration/globals) Document. All Document Views and are scoped under the `/collections/:collectionSlug/:id` or the `/globals/:globalSlug` route, respectively.

There are a number of default Document Views, such as the [Edit View](./edit-view) and API View, but you can also create [entirely new views](./custom-views#adding-new-views) as needed. All Document Views share a layout and can be given their own tab-based navigation, if desired.

To customize Document Views, use the `admin.components.views.edit[key]` property in your [Collection Config](../configuration/collections) or [Global Config](../configuration/globals):

```ts
import type { CollectionConfig } from 'payload'

export const MyCollectionOrGlobalConfig: CollectionConfig = {
  // ...
  admin: {
    components: {
      views: {
        // highlight-start
        edit: {
          default: {
            Component: '/path/to/MyCustomEditView',
          },
          // Other options include:
          // - root
          // - api
          // - versions
          // - version
          // - livePreview
          // - [key: string]
          // See below for more details
        },
        // highlight-end
      },
    },
  },
}
```

## Config Options

The following options are available:

| Property      | Description                                                                                                                                                     |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `root`        | The Root View overrides all other nested views and routes. No document controls or tabs are rendered when this key is set. [More details](#document-root).      |
| `default`     | The Default View is the primary view in which your document is edited. It is rendered within the "Edit" tab. [More details](./edit-view).                       |
| `versions`    | The Versions View is used to navigate the version history of a single document. It is rendered within the "Versions" tab. [More details](../versions/overview). |
| `version`     | The Version View is used to edit a single version of a document. It is rendered within the "Version" tab. [More details](../versions/overview).                 |
| `api`         | The API View is used to display the REST API JSON response for a given document. It is rendered within the "API" tab.                                           |
| `livePreview` | The LivePreview view is used to display the Live Preview interface. It is rendered within the "Live Preview" tab. [More details](../live-preview/overview).     |
| `[key]`       | Any other key can be used to add a completely new Document View.                                                                                                |

_For details on how to build Custom Views, including all available props, see [Building Custom Views](./custom-views#building-custom-views)._

### Document Root

The Document Root is mounted on the top-level route for a Document. Setting this property will completely take over the entire Document View layout, including the title, [Document Tabs](#ocument-tabs), _and all other nested Document Views_ including the [Edit View](./edit-view), API View, etc.

When setting a Document Root, you are responsible for rendering all necessary components and controls, as no document controls or tabs would be rendered. To replace only the Edit View precisely, use the `edit.default` key instead.

To override the Document Root, use the `views.edit.root` property in your [Collection Config](../configuration/collections) or [Global Config](../configuration/globals):

```ts
import type { CollectionConfig } from 'payload'

export const MyCollection: CollectionConfig = {
  slug: 'my-collection',
  admin: {
    components: {
      views: {
        edit: {
          // highlight-start
          root: {
            Component: '/path/to/MyCustomRootComponent', // highlight-line
          },
          // highlight-end
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

### Edit View

The Edit View is where users interact with individual Collection and Global Documents. This is where they can view, edit, and save their content. the Edit View is keyed under the `default` property in the `views.edit` object.

For more information on customizing the Edit View, see the [Edit View](./edit-view) documentation.

## Document Tabs

Each Document View can be given a tab for navigation, if desired. Tabs are highly configurable, from as simple as changing the label to swapping out the entire component, they can be modified in any way.

To add or customize tabs in the Document View, use the `views.edit.[key].tab` property in your [Collection Config](../configuration/collections) or [Global Config](../configuration/globals):

```ts
import type { CollectionConfig } from 'payload'

export const MyCollection: CollectionConfig = {
  slug: 'my-collection',
  admin: {
    components: {
      views: {
        edit: {
          myCustomTab: {
            Component: '/path/to/MyCustomTab',
            path: '/my-custom-tab',
            // highlight-start
            tab: {
              Component: '/path/to/MyCustomTabComponent',
            },
            // highlight-end
          },
          anotherCustomTab: {
            Component: '/path/to/AnotherCustomView',
            path: '/another-custom-view',
            // highlight-start
            tab: {
              label: 'Another Custom View',
              href: '/another-custom-view',
            },
            // highlight-end
          },
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

<Banner type="warning">
  **Note:** This applies to _both_ Collections _and_ Globals.
</Banner>

The following options are available for tabs:

| Property    | Description                                                                                                   |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `label`     | The label to display in the tab.                                                                              |
| `href`      | The URL to navigate to when the tab is clicked. This is optional and defaults to the tab's `path`.            |
| `Component` | The component to render in the tab. This can be a Server or Client component. [More details](#tab-components) |

### Tab Components

If changing the label or href is not enough, you can also replace the entire tab component with your own custom component. This can be done by setting the `tab.Component` property to the path of your custom component.

Here is an example of how to scaffold a custom Document Tab:

#### Server Component

```tsx
import React from 'react'
import type { DocumentTabServerProps } from 'payload'
import { Link } from '@payloadcms/ui'

export function MyCustomTabComponent(props: DocumentTabServerProps) {
  return (
    <Link href="/my-custom-tab">This is a custom Document Tab (Server)</Link>
  )
}
```

#### Client Component

```tsx
'use client'
import React from 'react'
import type { DocumentTabClientProps } from 'payload'
import { Link } from '@payloadcms/ui'

export function MyCustomTabComponent(props: DocumentTabClientProps) {
  return (
    <Link href="/my-custom-tab">This is a custom Document Tab (Client)</Link>
  )
}
```
