Link / Resource Card (View Formatting)
Overview
- Renders each item as a clickable resource card using the SharePoint Gallery layout
- A colored icon keyed to the type makes documents, videos, links, templates, and guides easy to tell apart
- The whole card is a link, so one tap opens the resource in a new tab
- The title and type label sit beside the icon for a quick scan
- Applied as gallery view formatting JSON, so the whole list switches to cards without changing the underlying data
- Works on any list of links or resources, and the types and colors are easy to adapt
Common Use Cases
- Resource or document library hub
- Onboarding links and how-to videos
- Policy and template library
- Quick links to tools and portals
- Training and learning resources
- Team bookmarks
How to Apply JSON Formatting
1. Create a list with the following columns. The internal name [in brackets] must match the JSON code exactly:
[Title] Single line of text
[Type] Choice (Document, Video, Link, Template, Guide)
[Url] Hyperlink
2. Populate the list with data. Put the destination address in the Url column.
3. Create a Gallery view on the list (view dropdown at the top right, Create new view, set the layout to Gallery, then Create).
4. With the new gallery view open, open the view dropdown again and choose Format current view.
5. Switch to Advanced mode, paste the JSON below, and click Save.
JSON Code – Select, Copy and Paste
{
"$schema": "https://developer.microsoft.com/json-schemas/sp/v2/tile-formatting.schema.json",
"height": 162,
"width": 190,
"hideSelection": true,
"formatter": {
"elmType": "a",
"attributes": {
"href": "[$Url]",
"target": "_blank"
},
"style": {
"position": "relative",
"display": "flex",
"flex-direction": "column",
"align-items": "center",
"justify-content": "center",
"text-decoration": "none",
"box-sizing": "border-box",
"height": "100%",
"padding": "18px 14px 17px 14px",
"border": "1px solid #edebe9",
"border-radius": "10px",
"background-color": "#ffffff"
},
"children": [
{
"elmType": "span",
"attributes": {
"iconName": "OpenInNewWindow"
},
"style": {
"position": "absolute",
"top": "12px",
"right": "12px",
"font-size": "13px",
"color": "#8a8886"
}
},
{
"elmType": "div",
"style": {
"display": "flex",
"align-items": "center",
"justify-content": "center",
"width": "42px",
"height": "42px",
"border-radius": "8px",
"margin-bottom": "12px",
"background-color": "=if([$ResourceType] == 'Document', '#0078d4', if([$ResourceType] == 'Video', '#c50f1f', if([$ResourceType] == 'Link', '#038387', if([$ResourceType] == 'Template', '#8764b8', if([$ResourceType] == 'Guide', '#ca5010', '#605e5c')))))"
},
"children": [
{
"elmType": "span",
"attributes": {
"iconName": "=if([$ResourceType] == 'Document', 'TextDocument', if([$ResourceType] == 'Video', 'Video', if([$ResourceType] == 'Link', 'Link', if([$ResourceType] == 'Template', 'FileTemplate', if([$ResourceType] == 'Guide', 'ReadingMode', 'Link')))))"
},
"style": {
"font-size": "18px",
"color": "#ffffff"
}
}
]
},
{
"elmType": "div",
"style": {
"font-size": "14px",
"font-weight": "600",
"color": "#242424",
"text-align": "center",
"line-height": "18px",
"max-width": "154px",
"overflow": "hidden",
"display": "-webkit-box",
"-webkit-line-clamp": "2",
"-webkit-box-orient": "vertical"
},
"txtContent": "[$Title]"
},
{
"elmType": "div",
"style": {
"font-size": "13px",
"font-weight": "700",
"color": "=if([$ResourceType] == 'Document', '#0078d4', if([$ResourceType] == 'Video', '#c50f1f', if([$ResourceType] == 'Link', '#038387', if([$ResourceType] == 'Template', '#8764b8', if([$ResourceType] == 'Guide', '#ca5010', '#605e5c')))))",
"text-transform": "uppercase",
"letter-spacing": "0.35px",
"margin-top": "10px",
"text-align": "center"
},
"txtContent": "[$ResourceType]"
}
]
}
}Common Questions About the Link / Resource Card
What is the Link / Resource Card built with?
It is built with a standard Microsoft List (SharePoint list) and gallery view formatting expressed in JSON. There is no custom development, no SPFx solution, and no third-party tools. It is the kind of clean, maintainable formatting Greg Zelfond builds for teams that want a resource hub without ongoing development overhead.
What columns does it need?
It uses three columns: a Title, a Type, and a Url. The card refers to each column by its internal name, so the JSON and the columns must line up exactly – here those names are Title, Type, and Url.
How does clicking the card work?
The whole card is a link, so clicking anywhere on it opens the address stored in the Url column in a new browser tab. The type icon and label are just there to help people pick the right resource at a glance.
Does this design use any custom development or third-party tools?
No. It uses only out-of-the-box SharePoint view formatting, which Microsoft supports natively. That keeps it stable and easy to maintain, and nothing breaks when SharePoint is updated. Out-of-the-box is the only way Greg builds, so you can own and extend the design yourself for years.
If LookBook 365 is code-free and out-of-the-box, why does this example include JSON?
Because SharePoint formatting JSON is not custom code – it is a native configuration feature built into lists and libraries. It is declarative: it only describes how existing columns and views look, and cannot run scripts, reach external services, or change your data. Nothing is deployed and nothing breaks when Microsoft updates SharePoint, and you can edit or remove it anytime. That is why LookBook 365 treats it as out-of-the-box and low risk.
Can Greg build a view like this for our team?
Yes – this is exactly the kind of work Greg Zelfond does. As an independent SharePoint consultant and Microsoft MVP, he designs out-of-the-box list and library formatting like this so your team can read and maintain it without a developer. Reach out through the contact page to talk about your lists.
