# Collection views Display nested views using a configurable and highly customizable layout. ## Discussion A collection view manages an ordered set of content, such as the grid of photos in the Photos app, and presents it visually.  Collection views are a collaboration between many different objects, including: - Cells. A cell provides the visual representation for each piece of your content. - Layouts. A layout defines the visual arrangement of the content in the collection view. - Your data source object. This object adopts the [`UICollectionViewDataSource`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDataSource) protocol and provides the data for the collection view. - Your delegate object. This object adopts the [`UICollectionViewDelegate`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDelegate) protocol and manages user interactions with the collection view’s contents, like selection and highlighting. - Collection view controller. You typically use a [`UICollectionViewController`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewController) object to manage a collection view. You can use other view controllers too, but a collection view controller is required for some collection-related features to work. ## Topics ### View [`UICollectionView`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionView) An object that manages an ordered collection of data items and presents them using customizable layouts. [`UICollectionViewController`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewController) A view controller that specializes in managing a collection view. ### Data [Updating collection views using diffable data sources](/documentation/UIKit/updating-collection-views-using-diffable-data-sources) Streamline the display and update of data in a collection view using a diffable data source that contains identifiers. [Implementing modern collection views](/documentation/UIKit/implementing-modern-collection-views) Bring compositional layouts to your app and simplify updating your user interface with diffable data sources. [Building high-performance lists and collection views](/documentation/UIKit/building-high-performance-lists-and-collection-views) Improve the performance of lists and collections in your app with prefetching and image preparation. [`UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDiffableDataSource-9tqpa) The object you use to manage data and provide cells for a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDataSource`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDataSource) The methods adopted by the object you use to manage data and provide cells for a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDataSourcePrefetching`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDataSourcePrefetching) A protocol that provides advance warning of the data requirements for a collection view, allowing the triggering of asynchronous data load operations. [`NSDiffableDataSourceSnapshot`](/documentation/UIKit/NSDiffableDataSourceSnapshot-swift.struct) A representation of the state of the data in a view at a specific point in time. [`NSDiffableDataSourceSectionSnapshot`](/documentation/UIKit/NSDiffableDataSourceSectionSnapshot-swift.struct) A representation of the state of the data in a layout section at a specific point in time. [`UIRefreshControl`](/documentation/UIKit/UIRefreshControl) A standard control that can initiate the refreshing of a scroll view’s contents. ### Data [Updating collection views using diffable data sources](/documentation/UIKit/updating-collection-views-using-diffable-data-sources) Streamline the display and update of data in a collection view using a diffable data source that contains identifiers. [Implementing modern collection views](/documentation/UIKit/implementing-modern-collection-views) Bring compositional layouts to your app and simplify updating your user interface with diffable data sources. [Building high-performance lists and collection views](/documentation/UIKit/building-high-performance-lists-and-collection-views) Improve the performance of lists and collections in your app with prefetching and image preparation. [`UICollectionViewDiffableDataSourceReference`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDiffableDataSourceReference) The object you use to manage data and provide cells for a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDataSource`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDataSource) The methods adopted by the object you use to manage data and provide cells for a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDataSourcePrefetching`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDataSourcePrefetching) A protocol that provides advance warning of the data requirements for a collection view, allowing the triggering of asynchronous data load operations. [`NSDiffableDataSourceSnapshotReference`](/documentation/UIKit/NSDiffableDataSourceSnapshotReference) A representation of the state of the data in a view at a specific point in time. [`NSDiffableDataSourceSectionSnapshotReference`](/documentation/UIKit/NSDiffableDataSourceSectionSnapshotReference) A representation of the state of the data in a layout section at a specific point in time. [`UIRefreshControl`](/documentation/UIKit/UIRefreshControl) A standard control that can initiate the refreshing of a scroll view’s contents. ### Cells [`UICollectionViewCell`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewCell) A single data item when that item is within the collection view’s visible bounds. [`UICollectionViewListCell`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewListCell) A collection view cell that provides list features and default styling. [`UICollectionReusableView`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionReusableView) A view that defines the behavior for all cells and supplementary views presented by a collection view. ### Layouts [Implementing modern collection views](/documentation/UIKit/implementing-modern-collection-views) Bring compositional layouts to your app and simplify updating your user interface with diffable data sources. [Layouts](/documentation/UIKit/layouts) Arrange your collection view content in a highly configurable layout. ### Selection management [Changing the appearance of selected and highlighted cells](/documentation/UIKit/changing-the-appearance-of-selected-and-highlighted-cells) Provide visual feedback to the user about the state of a cell and the transition between states. [Selecting multiple items with a two-finger pan gesture](/documentation/UIKit/selecting-multiple-items-with-a-two-finger-pan-gesture) Accelerate user selection of multiple items using the multiselect gesture on table and collection views. ### Drag and drop [Supporting Drag and Drop in Collection Views](/documentation/UIKit/supporting-drag-and-drop-in-collection-views) Initiate drags and handle drops from a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDragDelegate`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDragDelegate) The interface for initiating drags from a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropDelegate`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropDelegate) The interface for handling drops in a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropCoordinator`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropCoordinator) An interface for coordinating your custom drop-related actions with the collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropPlaceholder`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropPlaceholder) A placeholder for an item dropped on a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropProposal`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropProposal) Your proposed solution for handling a drop in a collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropItem`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropItem) The data associated with an item being dropped into the collection view. [`UICollectionViewDropPlaceholderContext`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewDropPlaceholderContext) An object that contains information about a placeholder in the collection view. [`UIDataSourceTranslating`](/documentation/UIKit/UIDataSourceTranslating) An advanced interface for managing a data source object. [`UICollectionViewPlaceholder`](/documentation/UIKit/UICollectionViewPlaceholder) A placeholder for an item dragged or dropped on a collection view. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. 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