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Customize the middle column of records

Last updated: March 28, 2024

Available with any of the following subscriptions, except where noted:

All products and plans

In the middle column of a record, there are tabs that group information together and cards on each tab that include specific data or actions. By default, on each record you can access a timeline of the record's activities and a summary of record information on the Overview tab. Depending on your subscription, you can also customize tabs and cards to include the specific information your team needs when working on records.

The following customization is supported based on your HubSpot subscription:

  • All HubSpot accounts can edit a record's default middle column view, which includes changing the order of tabs, renaming the Overview tab, and managing cards on the Overview tab.
  • Accounts with a Professional or Enterprise subscription can also set up middle column views for specific teams.
  • Accounts with a Sales Hub or Service Hub Enterprise subscription can also add custom tabs and customize cards on these tabs.

On the example contact record below, there are the default Overview and Activities tabs, as well as a custom Sales tab. On the Sales tab, there are custom cards highlighting sales-specific properties and associated deals.

example-custom-middle-column

Edit the middle column's layout and content

You can customize the default layout for all users or set up custom views for specific teams. Users must have Customize middle column layout, Account access, or Super admin permissions to customize a record's middle column.

  • In your HubSpot account, click the settings settings icon in the main navigation bar.
  • In the left sidebar menu, navigate to Objects, then select the object you’d like to edit the middle column for. 

  • Click the Record customization tab.

  • Click Customize the middle column.
  • To edit the default view, click Default view in the right panel. The default view is displayed to all users who aren't on an assigned team.
  • To create or edit a team view (Professional and Enterprise only), click Create team view, or click the name of an existing view. A team view is displayed only to users assigned to the selected team. You can create up to 1,000 team views.
    • At the top of the editor, enter a name for the view.
    • To select the teams who will have access to the view, in the top right, click Assign teams. In the dialog box, select the checkboxes of the teams, then click Done.
  • Create or update tabs and cards that are displayed in the middle column.
  • Click Save in the top right to save your progress at any time, or click Save and exit to save your changes and leave the editor.

Manage tabs in the middle column

Tabs organize record information into separate groups. Each tab contains cards with specific data about the record. For example, the default Overview tab includes data highlights, recent communications, and associations cards, whereas the Activities tab contains cards for each of the record's interactions.

All HubSpot accounts can change the order of tabs and rename the Overview tab, but only accounts with a Sales Hub or Service Hub Enterprise subscription can add or edit custom tabs.

  • Navigate to the middle column editor and select the view you want to edit tabs in.
  • To edit rename or delete an existing tab, navigate to the tab, then click the name. In the dropdown menu:
    • To edit the tab's name, click Edit tab label, update the label, then click Done.
    • To delete a tab, click Delete tab, then in the dialog box, click Delete tab to confirm.

Please note: the Activities tab cannot be edited or deleted.

  • To rearrange the tabs, click Manage tabs, then select Change tab order. In the right panel, click and drag a tab to update its position, then click Save.

record-editor-tab-options

  • To add a new tab (Sales Hub or Service Hub Enterprise only), click the + icon next to the existing tabs. In the dialog box, enter a name for the tab, then click Done. You can have a maximum of five tabs, including the Overview tab. Learn how to add and edit cards on a tab.
  • Click Save in the top right to save your progress at any time, or click Save and exit to save your changes and leave the editor.

Once you've organized your tabs, learn how to manage the cards on a tab.

Manage cards in the middle column

Cards are containers of content that include data about the record, as well as actions you can take for the record. You can customize cards to display information specific to the tab they're on or use the same cards on multiple tabs.

All HubSpot accounts can add, reorder, edit, or remove cards on the Overview tab. If your account has a Sales Hub or Service Hub Enterprise account, you can also add and edit cards on custom tabs.

Types of data cards

There are six types of cards you can include on a tab:

  • Association table: displays a table of associated records and the records' properties.
  • Association label lists: displays a list of associated records organized by their assigned association label.
  • Data highlights: displays the values of up to four of the object's properties.
  • Property list: displays a list of up to 12 editable properties.
  • Report: displays a single object report that will automatically filter data based on the current record.
  • Stage Tracker: displays the progression of a record through a process. For contacts and companies, the tracker will show progression through lifecycle stages. For deals, tickets, and custom objects, the tracker will show progression through a pipeline.

In the following example, the tab includes the Data highlights, Associations table, and Report card types.

middle-column-example-2

Please note: the following limitations apply to the Report card:

  • Reports that include data for associated records will only display if associations exist between the current record and records in the report, and will only automatically filter if there's a defined association between the objects. For example:
    • If you display a deals report on a contact record, but the contact has no associated deals, the report will not display any data.
    • If you display a custom object based report (e.g., pets) on a contact record, but the custom object can't be associated with contacts (i.e. no defined association), the report will display unfiltered.
  • You cannot display custom widget reports on a report card.
  • For custom object records, you cannot display activity, conversations, or sequence enrollment reports.

Add, edit, or delete cards

In each middle column view, you can add new cards, edit or delete existing cards, or rearrange the card order. Each middle column view can include up to 20 cards.

  • Navigate to the middle column editor and select the view you want to add or edit cards in.
  • To add card, click on the desired tab, then click Add Cards. In the right panel:
    • To include an existing card in the view, select the checkbox next to the card's name. Click the X in the top right to return to the middle column editor.
    • To create and add a custom card, click Create card in the top right.

customize-middle-column

  • If you're creating a card, select the card type in the right panel.
    • Enter an internal name and a title for the card. The internal name is only visible to super admins, but the card title is shown on the record. 
    • Depending on the card type, fill in the additional card details: 
      • Association table card: select the associated object to display in the card (e.g., selecting Contacts will show the record's associated contacts), then select properties to display as columns in the association table, and select quick filters that will appear to filter the table's records. Each association table card can include up to 12 properties and 5 quick filters. Required properties (e.g., First name, Last name for contacts) and the Association label filter are included by default and count towards the limits.
      • Association label list: select the associated object to display in the card (e.g., selecting Contacts will show the record's associated contacts), then select the labels to display in the list.
      • Data highlights card: select the properties to display as a highlighted properties. You can include a total of four properties.
      • Property list: select the properties to display in the list. You can include a total of 12 properties.
      • Report: select the single object report you want to display. Depending on the object or report type, there are limitations to the data you can display.
      • Stage tracker: no additional details required.

associations-card-middle-column

    • To view how your card will appear on the record, click Preview card. Select a record to preview how the data would appear on that specific record.
    • Once you're done, click Save.
  • To edit a card, click edit Edit. Update the card's details, then click Save.
  • To rearrange the cards, click and drag a card to the desired position.
  • To remove a card from the view, click Remove. Once removed, you can still add the card back from the Add card dropdown menu.

edit-remove-card

  • To delete an existing card, click edit Edit, then click Delete card in the right panel. In the dialog box, click Delete to confirm. Once deleted, the card will be removed from all views and you will not be able to add the card back to the record.

Please note: system default cards, which have (default) next to their name, cannot be edited or deleted.

  • Click Save in the top right to save your progress at any time, or click Save and exit to save your changes and leave the editor.

Additional record customization

To further customize your records, learn about additional options for editing the appearance and information shown on records:

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