FileDrop just got a new way to handle image libraries, and it’s aimed at anyone who has ever tried to turn a spreadsheet into a catalog and ended up fighting the spreadsheet instead.
The idea is simple: bring the familiar structure of Google Sheets into FileDrop’s web app, then add the parts Sheets never quite gets right for visual content. That means better control over image display, cleaner presentation options, and a workflow that feels much closer to a real image library than a workaround.
Introducing Catalogs: Image Catalogs for Product Lists, Shot Lists, and Asset Libraries
A spreadsheet interface built for visuals
A lot of FileDrop users have already been using the Google Sheets add-on to build image libraries and catalog-style lists. That works fine until image quality, sizing, and layout start getting in the way. Sheets can be useful for organizing data, but it is not always friendly when the end goal is something people actually want to look at.
That is the gap FileDrop is trying to close.
The new feature pairs a spreadsheet-like interface with the uploader inside the web app. On one side, you have the spreadsheet view. On the other, the uploader. Together, they recreate the basic comfort of working in a sheet while making the end result easier to present, share, and browse.
What you can do with it
The workflow starts with uploading images. You can drag and drop files directly, including zip archives, which makes it easy to move a larger set of images at once. For now, the limit is 200 images, which should cover plenty of use cases without getting unwieldy.
Once the images are in, you can choose how they appear:
- image in cell
- image with name and date
- link only
You can also sort the images before inserting them, which matters if order is part of the way you want the library to read. A catalog is not just a pile of files; the sequence shapes how useful it feels. FileDrop gives you that control up front.
After upload, the list becomes editable. You can change, delete, or rework columns to fit the kind of library you’re building. The available field types include:
- image
- text
- text area
- numbers
- select
- date
- URL
- checkbox
- status
By default, columns come in as text, but you can adjust them to match the information you want to store. That means a product list can include name, price, and description. A visual archive can carry dates, URLs, or status flags. The point is not just to hold images, but to organize the context around them.
A strong catalog is only useful if you can get it out of the system cleanly. FileDrop adds export options for CSV, Excel with images, and PDF. The PDF export also comes with its own options, which gives the feature more range than a simple data dump.
Sharing is built in too. You can share these catalogues through links, and you can display them as a gallery, a table, or both. That matters because not every audience wants the same view. A gallery is better when the images matter most. A table helps when the data matters most. Having both lets you switch between presentation and utility without rebuilding everything.
The gallery view also has its own controls. You can choose which fields appear beneath each image, so you are not stuck with a fixed layout. If you want date, name, and URL under each item, you can set that up. If you want price instead, you can swap that in as well. You can also rename fields to make the display feel more polished and more specific to the use case.
Search is included too, and you can filter it down to only items that actually have images. That keeps the library practical when the data set grows or when some entries are still incomplete.
Why this matters for people already using Google Sheets
This update clearly targets users who like the organizational power of spreadsheets but are tired of bending them into something they were not designed to be. If you have ever built a visual catalog in Google Sheets, you already know the tradeoff: it is flexible, but not always beautiful, and sometimes the image quality or layout just does not hold up.
FileDrop is trying to make that transition easier. Instead of forcing a sheet to act like a gallery, it gives you a sheet-like setup that is actually designed for image libraries. That is a small shift on paper, but it changes the experience in practice.
The feature is still in beta, so FileDrop is actively asking for feedback and bug reports. That is a good sign, especially for a tool like this, where real-world use will probably surface the most important improvements. There is also a naming note: these catalogues may get a different name later.
FAQ
Is this feature available to everyone?
Yes. Free users can access it, though with some limits. Paid plans get the fuller experience.
How many images can I upload?
Right now, the limit is 200 images.
Can I upload more than one file at a time?
Yes. You can drag and drop files, including zip archives.
What kinds of fields can I use in the catalog?
You can use image, text, text area, numbers, select, date, URL, checkbox, and status fields.
Can I export my catalog?
Yes. Export options include CSV, Excel with images, and PDF.
Can I change how the catalog is displayed?
Yes. You can switch between gallery, table, or both, and you can control which fields appear under images in gallery view.
FileDrop is clearly betting that people want the convenience of a spreadsheet without the compromises that usually come with forcing images into one. If that sounds like your workflow, this update is worth trying now — especially while users still shape it with feedback.
