Style your library: colors and display settings Free & Pro

How FileDeck libraries look is controlled on the Display tab under Documents → Settings: default layout, accent color, grid columns, download link styles, empty-state messages, and what titles link to. Set it once and it applies to every library on the site; if you need to go further, all front-end markup uses a stable fdk- class prefix for custom CSS.

Default layout

Pick Table, Grid, or Folders as the layout every library uses unless told otherwise. Individual pages can override it with the layout attribute in the block or shortcode.

Accent color

The accent color (default #1e40af) drives the library’s interactive elements — most visibly the download buttons and links. Setting it to your theme’s primary brand color is usually all it takes for FileDeck to look native to your site. FileDeck works with any theme and renders server-side, so the color applies consistently regardless of which theme you run.

Grid columns

For the grid layout, choose Automatic (FileDeck fits cards to the available width) or a fixed count from 1 to 6.

Download link styles

The download link can render as a Button, Button with icon, Icon only, or Text link. Pick whichever matches your design; the accent color applies to all four. Column choices themselves are covered in choose and reorder columns.

Empty-state messages

Two messages are editable: what visitors see when a library has no documents ("No documents"), and what they see when a search matches nothing ("No search results"). A friendly, specific message — "No policies here yet, check back in March" — beats the default.

What titles and filenames link to

Choose whether a document’s title links to its document page, triggers a direct download, or is plain text. The filename column has its own setting: plain text or direct download.

Going further with custom CSS

If the built-in options do not cover a detail you care about, add your own CSS — for example under Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS. Every element FileDeck outputs uses class names with the fdk- prefix, and that prefix is stable across plugin updates, so custom CSS written against fdk- classes will not break when you update. Use your browser’s inspector to find the class for the element you want to change.

If styles are not applying at all, or the library looks broken in your theme, see troubleshooting styling.

FAQ

Can different libraries on one site use different styles?

Display settings are global. Per-library differences are handled through the block and shortcode attributes — layout, columns, and scope — see multiple libraries on one site.

Will my custom CSS survive plugin updates?

Yes, as long as you target the fdk- prefixed classes, which FileDeck keeps stable across updates. Put the CSS in your theme or the Customizer, not in the plugin’s files.

Are the display settings a Pro feature?

No. The Display tab, including the accent color and all four download link styles, is included in the free plugin.