---
title: "Creating Collections & Layouts in Skykit Beam"
slug: "creating-collections-and-layouts-in-skykit-beam"
description: "Create dynamic, multi-zone displays with flexible scheduling using Collections & Layouts. Perfect for corporate, retail, and healthcare environments."
tags: ["Multi-Zone Layouts", "Flexible Scheduling", "Dynamic Displays"]
updated: 2026-11-06T22:02:32Z
published: 2026-11-06T22:02:32Z
canonical: "support.skykit.com/creating-collections-and-layouts-in-skykit-beam"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.skykit.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Collections & Layouts in Skykit Beam

> A step-by-step guide to creating dynamic, multi-zone displays with flexible scheduling. Collections & Layouts is available to all Enterprise accounts, and accounts created after May 2026 have always had it. If your account used Classic Collections, they keep working, but every new Collection you create uses Collections & Layouts. This is available to the [Beam roles](/v1/docs/user-roles-in-skykit-beam) of Administrator, Display Manager, Content Manager, Content Organizer, and Basic (Legacy).

## **What You'll Create**

Collections & Layouts (New Edition) lets you build visual, multi-zone displays with powerful scheduling controls. You can combine static content with dynamic Playlists, control exactly when different layouts appear on your screens, and use portrait or landscape orientations. This latest version adds lead zone designation for precise content control and play rules on Collection entries for advanced scheduling.

## **Who Uses Collections & Layouts?**

#### **Ideal for:**

- **Content Curators** - Managing complex, multi-zone displays
- **Corporate Communications Managers** - Distributing branded content across locations
- **IT Administrators** - Overseeing enterprise digital signage deployments

#### **Common Industries:**

- Corporate communications and internal displays
- Retail environments and store displays
- Healthcare facilities and patient information
- Manufacturing plants and safety communications

## **Before You Begin**

#### **What you'll need:**

- Content items or Playlists ready to use
- Understanding of where and when you want content to display
- Knowledge of your display orientation (landscape or portrait)

#### **Helpful to know:**

- How Playlists work (if you plan to use them)
- Basic play rules concepts (optional, for scheduling)
- Your display labels (if targeting specific screens)

---

## **Step 1: Create a New Collection**

1. Navigate to **Collections & Layouts** in the main menu
2. Click **+ Collection** button![Empty Collections page highlights the plus Collection button for creating new content.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/2-Collection List View.png)
3. Give your Collection a descriptive name
  1. Example: "Lobby Display - Q1 2026" or "Cafeteria Menu Rotation"![Collections page for Cafeteria Menu Rotation is empty, prompting users to add their first collection entry.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/3-Name Field.png)
4. Click **Add Entry**![Collection editor for Cafeteria Menu Rotation highlights the Add Entry button for creating the first collection entry.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/4-Add Entry.png)

## **Step 2: Add Your First Collection Entry (Layout)**

1. Click the dropdown in **Select Orientation**:![Modal window displays landscape base layout options for creating a cafeteria menu rotation entry.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/5-Layout Menu(2).png)
  1. **Landscape** - For horizontal displays (standard)
  2. **Portrait** - For vertical displays
  3. **Unified View - Landscape** - For horizontal video wall layouts spanning multiple connected displays (requires E500)
  4. **Unified View - Portrait** - For vertical video wall layouts spanning multiple connected displays (requires E500) **Note**: Unified View layouts are designed for video wall configurations using E500 devices. These layouts span across multiple connected displays in grid arrangements such as 2x1, 2x2, 3x1, and 4x1.
2. Click your chosen layout to add it to your Collection
3. Click **Create Entry**

## **Step 3: Add Content to Your Layout Zones**

Add an individual content item or a Playlist to each zone.

- **Single-zone layouts** also accept Programs, including multi-zone Programs.
- **Multi-zone layouts** can't play multi-zone Programs, including multi-zone Programs inside a Playlist. If you add one, Beam shows a warning with a link to the Playlist so you can fix it.

#### **Option A:** Add Individual Content Items

1. Click the **+** icon in a zone![Cafeteria Menu Rotation collection shows three empty zones and configured play rules awaiting entries.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/6-Layout Zone Select(1).png)
2. Select the dropdown under **Media** and select **Content**![Media selection dialog showing content filter, search controls, and published training videos and documents.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/7-Picker Menu.png)
3. Select the content item you want to display in the selected zone![Media selection window highlights the published 2026 Field Safety Guildelines Video among other content items.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/8-Select Content.png)

![Collections editor showing a Cafeteria Menu Rotation with a field safety guidelines video entry and play rules.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/9-Content Added.png)

#### **Option B:** Add a Playlist

> [!NOTE]
> **Tip**
> 
> Using Playlists in zones is powerful - you can have static content in 3 zones and a rotating Playlist in the 4th zone, all within one layout.

1. Click the **+** icon or placeholder in a zone![Collections editor displaying a field safety guidelines video assigned to a three-right play rule zone.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/10-Select Zone.png)
2. Select the dropdown under **Media** and select **Playlist**![Select Media dialog shows the Content menu expanded with Content and Playlist options alongside published media items.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/10-Media Menu.png)
3. Select the Playlist you want to display in the selected zone![Media selection dialog highlights the published playlist “Q1 Coffee Talk News” with update and creator details.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/12-Playlist Media(1).png)

To remove a content or Playlist simply click the X within the entry. To remove the entire entry, select the entry number and click Remove Entry/Entries.![Cafeteria menu rotation displays a field safety guidelines video within a playlist collection editor.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/13-Remove.png)

#### **Option C:** Add a Program

For those users who have access to Programs, you may also add Programs to Collections. Accounts created after May 2026 don’t have Programs and won’t see this option.

> [!CAUTION]
> Important Note
> 
> Multi-zone Programs cannot play within multi-zone Collection entries and will not play. Learn more at [Programs in Collections - What Plays Where](/v1/docs/programs-in-collections-what-plays-where).

## **Step 4:** Set Lead Zone (Optional)

#### **When you need this:**

If your layout zones have different content lengths OR when you have multiple Collection entries and need to control when the Collection advances to the next entry.

#### **How Lead Zones Work:**

**Within a single entry:** The lead zone's content duration determines when that layout completes, regardless of other zones' durations.

**With multiple entries:** The Collection only advances to the next entry after the lead zone completes a full content rotation. This ensures your primary content finishes completely before moving on.

#### **To Set a Lead Zone:**

1. Click the **Settings** icon on the zone you want to control timing![Collections editor highlights settings for the 2026 Field Safety Guidelines video in cafeteria rotation.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/14-Gear Icon.png)
2. Toggle **Lead Zone** to **Enabled** ![Interface displaying video entry details and lead zone settings for safety guidelines.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/15-Lead Zone Modal.png)
3. Click **Update**![Entry 1 settings show a field safety video in Zone 2 with lead zone enabled and Update highlighted.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/16-Update.png)
4. The **Crown** icon indicates that this is the **Lead Zone**![Entry details show a field safety guidelines video with lead zone disabled in a content management interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/17-Crown.png)
5. Click **Publish**![Collections editor showing a cafeteria menu rotation with field safety and employee onboarding content, ready to publish.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/18-Publish.png)

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> Only ONE zone per layout entry can be designated as the lead zone. Once a zone is selected as lead zone, this option is disabled for other zones

> [!WARNING]
> ⚠️ Important:
> 
> Setting a lead zone is optional. Without one, the longest content in any zone determines the duration.

**Example:** If you have three static zones (5 seconds each) and one Playlist zone (rotating 20 videos at 30 seconds each), setting the Playlist zone as the lead zone ensures the entire Playlist completes before moving to the next Collection entry.

**Without a lead zone:** The longest content in any zone determines the duration, and shorter content may loop awkwardly.

## **Step 5:** Add More Collection Entries (Layouts) - Optional

Want different layouts to rotate? Add multiple Collection entries to your Collection:

1. Click **Add Entry** again
2. Choose orientation (landscape, portrait, or unified view for E500)
3. Choose a different layout configuration (or the same one with different content)
4. Add content to the zones
5. Set a lead zone if needed
6. Repeat as needed

Your Collection will cycle through all entries in sequence. If any entry has a lead zone designated, the Collection will wait for that lead zone to complete before advancing.

#### To Copy a Collection Entry:

1. Open the Collection
2. Select the number of the entry you wish to copy
3. Click **Copy** **Entry**
4. A warning message appears *“Do you want to copy this Entry? A copy of this Entry includes its content and play rules, will be added to this Collection.”*
5. Click **Copy Entry**
6. The copy appears directly below the original
7. Rename the copy so you can tell the two apart
8. Click the **+** icon in each zone to swap in new content
9. Click **Publish**

> **Note:** Copying an entry keeps its content, play rules, layout and orientation, so you don't have to rebuild it.

> **Tip:** Check the play rules on the copy before you publish. It starts with the same rules as the original, so update them if the copy should play at a different time or on different displays.

## **Step 6:** Apply Play Rules (Optional)

Control when entries play and on which Displays.

#### **To Set Play Rules on a Collection Entry (Layout):**

1. Click the **Update Play Rules** on the layout entry![Collections editor displays a cafeteria menu rotation with safety and onboarding content, highlighting the Update Play Rules button.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/19-Play Rules Button.png)
2. Add a start date and/or end date. Check **Play without an end date** to keep this playing indefinitely.![Play rules dialog sets a start date of February 11, 2026 without an end date.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/20-Start Date-End Date@1x.png)
3. Click **+ Play Rules** to further configure: ![Play rules dialog shows options for dates, times, recurrence, and specific displays in a cafeteria menu collection.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/20-Play Rules Menu.png)
  1. **Add a Start Time / End Time**
    1. Select what time window your entry will be available to play.
    2. Important notes:
      1. Play Rules will respect the timezone set on the [Displays page](/v1/docs/displays-overview-beam).
      2. Overnight time windows are not currently supported. Read more and learn about a workaround [here](/v1/docs/why-can-t-i-save-overnight-play-rules).
  2. **Add Custom Recurrence**
    1. Days of week - Select specific days
    2. Months - Select specific months
    3. Day of the month - Select specifics dates
  3. **Play on Specific Displays**
    1. Use [Labels](/v1/docs/labels-in-skykit-beam) to determine which Displays will play the entry
4. Click Save

#### **See** [**Play Rules Best Practices**](/v1/docs/play-rules-best-practices#✅-do) **for more information on Evaluation Order.**

## **Step 7:** Preview Your Collection

1. Review the visual preview of your Collection entries
2. Check that content is in the correct zones
3. Verify your lead zones are set correctly (if applicable)
4. Verify your play rules are set correctly
5. Click **Publish** to make this collection available to your displays![Collections editor displaying a Cafeteria Menu Rotation playlist with safety, onboarding, and coffee talk content.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/18-Publish.png)

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> There's no built-in preview player, but you can see thumbnails and layout structure. For testing actual playback, consider setting up a dedicated test device.

## **Step 8: Assign to Displays**

1. Navigate to **Displays** in the main menu![Skykit Beam content dashboard highlights Displays navigation and prompts users to create content.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/21-Menu.png)
2. Select the display where you want this Collection to play![Displays dashboard highlights the online Cafeteria Display with serial number and status information.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/22-Displays.png)
3. Click **Change** ![Display management dashboard highlights the Change button in the Now Playing section for an offline device.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/23-Display Detailed View.png)
4. Click on the **Media** dropdown menu and select **Collection**![Media selection interface displaying various content options and their details.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/24-Media Picker.png)
5. Select the Collection you want to play![Media selection dialog highlights the published Cafeteria Menu Rotation playlist for a digital display.](https://cdn.document360.io/86c4dfb2-4202-4f4a-97e1-d24441ae8c90/Images/Documentation/25-Collection Picker.png)
6. Your Collection will now play on the assigned displays according to any play rules you've set.

## Related

- [Understanding Unified View - E500](/understanding-unified-view-e500.md)
- [Collections & Layouts: Common Setup Scenarios](/common-setup-scenarios.md)
- [Troubleshooting Collections](/troubleshooting-collections.md)