diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/expanded-form/index.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/expanded-form/index.vue
index d30aeee9d2..31846ed182 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/expanded-form/index.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/expanded-form/index.vue
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ interface Props {
   closeAfterSave?: boolean
   newRecordHeader?: string
   skipReload?: boolean
+  newRecordSubmitBtnText?: string
 }
 
 const props = defineProps<Props>()
@@ -882,7 +883,7 @@ export default {
                 size="medium"
                 @click="save"
               >
-                <div class="xs:px-1">Save</div>
+                <div class="xs:px-1">{{ newRecordSubmitBtnText ?? 'Save' }}</div>
               </NcButton>
             </div>
           </div>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/grid/Table.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/grid/Table.vue
index bad2e2e52c..ecab8a49da 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/grid/Table.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/smartsheet/grid/Table.vue
@@ -427,8 +427,8 @@ const cellMeta = computed(() => {
 const colMeta = computed(() => {
   return fields.value.map((col) => {
     return {
-      isLookup: isLinksOrLTAR(col),
-      isRollup: isBt(col),
+      isLookup: isLookup(col),
+      isRollup: isRollup(col),
       isFormula: isFormula(col),
       isCreatedOrLastModifiedTimeCol: isCreatedOrLastModifiedTimeCol(col),
       isCreatedOrLastModifiedByCol: isCreatedOrLastModifiedByCol(col),
@@ -857,7 +857,7 @@ onClickOutside(tableBodyEl, (e) => {
   // ignore unselecting if clicked inside or on the picker(Date, Time, DateTime, Year)
   // or single/multi select options
   const activePickerOrDropdownEl = document.querySelector(
-    '.nc-picker-datetime.active,.nc-dropdown-single-select-cell.active,.nc-dropdown-multi-select-cell.active,.nc-dropdown-user-select-cell.active,.nc-picker-date.active,.nc-picker-year.active,.nc-picker-time.active',
+    '.nc-picker-datetime.active,.nc-dropdown-single-select-cell.active,.nc-dropdown-multi-select-cell.active,.nc-dropdown-user-select-cell.active,.nc-picker-date.active,.nc-picker-year.active,.nc-picker-time.active,.nc-link-dropdown-root',
   )
   if (
     e.target &&
@@ -1892,6 +1892,7 @@ onKeyStroke('ArrowDown', onDown)
                       :class="{
                         'active-row': activeCell.row === rowIndex || selectedRange._start?.row === rowIndex,
                         'mouse-down': isGridCellMouseDown || isFillMode,
+                        'selected-row': row.rowMeta.selected,
                       }"
                       :style="{ height: rowHeight ? `${rowHeightInPx[`${rowHeight}`]}px` : `${rowHeightInPx['1']}px` }"
                       :data-testid="`grid-row-${rowIndex}`"
@@ -2430,7 +2431,7 @@ onKeyStroke('ArrowDown', onDown)
 
   td,
   th {
-    @apply border-gray-100 border-solid border-r bg-gray-50 p-0;
+    @apply border-gray-100 border-solid border-r bg-gray-100 p-0;
     min-height: 32px !important;
     height: 32px !important;
     position: relative;
@@ -2685,9 +2686,18 @@ onKeyStroke('ArrowDown', onDown)
       @apply !xs:hidden flex;
     }
 
+    &:not(.selected-row) {
+      td.nc-grid-cell:not(.active),
+      td:nth-child(2):not(.active) {
+        @apply !bg-gray-50 border-b-gray-200 border-r-gray-200;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  &.selected-row {
     td.nc-grid-cell:not(.active),
     td:nth-child(2):not(.active) {
-      @apply !bg-gray-50 border-b-gray-200 border-r-gray-200;
+      @apply !bg-[#F0F3FF] border-b-gray-200 border-r-gray-200;
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/BelongsTo.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/BelongsTo.vue
index a1b1e05d26..2930e32ecc 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/BelongsTo.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/BelongsTo.vue
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ watch(value, (next) => {
 <template>
   <div class="flex w-full chips-wrapper items-center" :class="{ active }">
     <LazyVirtualCellComponentsLinkRecordDropdown v-model:is-open="isOpen">
-      <div class="flex items-center w-full">
-        <div class="nc-cell-field chips flex items-center flex-1">
+      <div class="flex items-center w-full min-h-7.7">
+        <div class="nc-cell-field chips flex items-center flex-1 max-w-[calc(100%_-_16px)]">
           <template v-if="value && (relatedTableDisplayValueProp || relatedTableDisplayValuePropId)">
             <VirtualCellComponentsItemChip
               :item="value"
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/HasMany.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/HasMany.vue
index 35cb80beda..731759575e 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/HasMany.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/HasMany.vue
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ watch(
 
 <template>
   <LazyVirtualCellComponentsLinkRecordDropdown v-model:is-open="isOpen">
-    <div class="flex items-center gap-1 w-full chips-wrapper">
+    <div class="flex items-center gap-1 w-full chips-wrapper min-h-7.7">
       <div class="chips flex items-center img-container flex-1 hm-items flex-nowrap min-w-0 overflow-hidden">
         <template v-if="cells">
           <VirtualCellComponentsItemChip
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/Links.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/Links.vue
index 20aade92e1..a37989055c 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/Links.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/Links.vue
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ watch(
 <template>
   <div class="nc-cell-field flex w-full group items-center nc-links-wrapper py-1" @dblclick.stop="openChildList">
     <LazyVirtualCellComponentsLinkRecordDropdown v-model:is-open="isOpen">
-      <div class="flex w-full group items-center">
+      <div class="flex w-full group items-center min-h-7.7">
         <div class="block flex-shrink truncate">
           <component
             :is="isUnderLookup ? 'span' : 'a'"
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/ManyToMany.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/ManyToMany.vue
index 70cb1cecf9..32ee6e3a1b 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/ManyToMany.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/ManyToMany.vue
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ watch(
 
 <template>
   <LazyVirtualCellComponentsLinkRecordDropdown v-model:is-open="isOpen">
-    <div class="flex items-center gap-1 w-full chips-wrapper">
+    <div class="flex items-center gap-1 w-full chips-wrapper min-h-7.7">
       <div class="chips flex items-center img-container flex-1 hm-items flex-nowrap min-w-0 overflow-hidden">
         <template v-if="cells">
           <VirtualCellComponentsItemChip
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/OneToOne.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/OneToOne.vue
index 1474736aba..03bd03013d 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/OneToOne.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/OneToOne.vue
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ watch(
 
 <template>
   <LazyVirtualCellComponentsLinkRecordDropdown v-model:is-open="isOpen">
-    <div class="flex w-full chips-wrapper items-center" :class="{ active }">
-      <div class="nc-cell-field chips flex items-center flex-1">
+    <div class="flex w-full chips-wrapper items-center min-h-7.7" :class="{ active }">
+      <div class="nc-cell-field chips flex items-center flex-1 max-w-[calc(100%_-_16px)]">
         <template v-if="value && (relatedTableDisplayValueProp || relatedTableDisplayValuePropId)">
           <VirtualCellComponentsItemChip
             :item="value"
@@ -109,7 +109,11 @@ watch(
       >
         <GeneralIcon
           :icon="addIcon"
-          class="select-none !text-md text-gray-700 nc-action-icon nc-plus invisible group-hover:visible group-focus:visible"
+          class="select-none text-gray-700 nc-action-icon nc-plus invisible group-hover:visible group-focus:visible"
+          :class="{
+            '!text-[14px]': addIcon === 'expand',
+            '!text-md': addIcon !== 'expand',
+          }"
           @click.stop="listItemsDlg = true"
         />
       </div>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ItemChip.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ItemChip.vue
index e3c9d1d339..056b356e9d 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ItemChip.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ItemChip.vue
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ const isForm = inject(IsFormInj)!
 const { open } = useExpandedFormDetached()
 
 function openExpandedForm() {
+  if (!active.value) return
+
   const rowId = extractPkFromRow(item, relatedTableMeta.value.columns as ColumnType[])
   if (!readOnly.value && !readonlyProp && rowId) {
     open({
@@ -50,44 +52,50 @@ export default {
 <template>
   <div
     v-e="['c:row-expand:open']"
-    class="chip group mr-1 my-1 flex items-center rounded-[2px] flex-row"
+    class="chip group mr-1 my-1 flex items-center rounded-[2px] flex-row truncate"
     :class="{ active, 'border-1 py-1 px-2': isAttachment(column) }"
     @click="openExpandedForm"
   >
-    <span class="name">
-      <!-- Render virtual cell -->
-      <div v-if="isVirtualCol(column)">
-        <template v-if="column.uidt === UITypes.LinkToAnotherRecord">
-          <LazySmartsheetVirtualCell :edit-enabled="false" :model-value="value" :column="column" :read-only="true" />
-        </template>
-
-        <LazySmartsheetVirtualCell v-else :edit-enabled="false" :read-only="true" :model-value="value" :column="column" />
-      </div>
-      <!-- Render normal cell -->
-      <template v-else>
-        <div v-if="isAttachment(column) && value && !Array.isArray(value) && typeof value === 'object'">
-          <LazySmartsheetCell :model-value="value" :column="column" :edit-enabled="false" :read-only="true" />
+    <div class="text-ellipsis overflow-hidden">
+      <span class="name">
+        <!-- Render virtual cell -->
+        <div v-if="isVirtualCol(column)">
+          <template v-if="column.uidt === UITypes.LinkToAnotherRecord">
+            <LazySmartsheetVirtualCell :edit-enabled="false" :model-value="value" :column="column" :read-only="true" />
+          </template>
+
+          <LazySmartsheetVirtualCell v-else :edit-enabled="false" :read-only="true" :model-value="value" :column="column" />
         </div>
-        <!-- For attachment cell avoid adding chip style -->
+        <!-- Render normal cell -->
         <template v-else>
-          <div
-            class="min-w-max"
-            :class="{
-              'px-1 rounded-full flex-1': !isAttachment(column),
-              'border-gray-200 rounded border-1':
-                border && ![UITypes.Attachment, UITypes.MultiSelect, UITypes.SingleSelect].includes(column.uidt),
-            }"
-          >
-            <LazySmartsheetCell :model-value="value" :column="column" :edit-enabled="false" :virtual="true" :read-only="true" />
+          <div v-if="isAttachment(column) && value && !Array.isArray(value) && typeof value === 'object'">
+            <LazySmartsheetCell :model-value="value" :column="column" :edit-enabled="false" :read-only="true" />
           </div>
+          <!-- For attachment cell avoid adding chip style -->
+          <template v-else>
+            <div
+              class="min-w-max"
+              :class="{
+                'px-1 rounded-full flex-1': !isAttachment(column),
+                'border-gray-200 rounded border-1':
+                  border && ![UITypes.Attachment, UITypes.MultiSelect, UITypes.SingleSelect].includes(column.uidt),
+              }"
+            >
+              <LazySmartsheetCell :model-value="value" :column="column" :edit-enabled="false" :virtual="true" :read-only="true" />
+            </div>
+          </template>
         </template>
-      </template>
-    </span>
+      </span>
+    </div>
 
-    <div v-show="active || isForm" v-if="showUnlinkButton && !readOnly && isUIAllowed('dataEdit')" class="flex items-center">
+    <div
+      v-show="active || isForm"
+      v-if="showUnlinkButton && !readOnly && isUIAllowed('dataEdit')"
+      class="flex items-center cursor-pointer"
+    >
       <component
         :is="iconMap.closeThick"
-        class="nc-icon unlink-icon text-xs text-gray-500/50 group-hover:text-gray-500"
+        class="nc-icon unlink-icon text-gray-500/50 group-hover:text-gray-500 ml-0.5 cursor-pointer"
         @click.stop="emit('unlink')"
       />
     </div>
@@ -99,9 +107,8 @@ export default {
   max-width: max(100%, 60px);
 
   .name {
-    text-overflow: ellipsis;
-    overflow: hidden;
     white-space: nowrap;
+    word-break: keep-all;
   }
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkRecordDropdown.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkRecordDropdown.vue
index 1296f641f2..7f99ffb309 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkRecordDropdown.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkRecordDropdown.vue
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ watch([ncLinksDropdownRef, isOpen], () => {
   >
     <slot />
     <template #overlay>
-      <div ref="ncLinksDropdownRef" class="h-[412px] w-[540px]" :class="`${randomClass}`">
+      <div ref="ncLinksDropdownRef" class="h-[412px] w-[540px] nc-links-dropdown-wrapper" :class="`${randomClass}`">
         <slot name="overlay" />
       </div>
     </template>
@@ -77,9 +77,20 @@ watch([ncLinksDropdownRef, isOpen], () => {
 
 <style lang="scss">
 .nc-links-dropdown {
+  @apply rounded-xl !border-gray-200;
   z-index: 1000 !important;
 }
 .nc-link-dropdown-root {
   z-index: 1000;
 }
+
+.nc-links-dropdown-wrapper {
+  @apply h-[412px] w-[540px];
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  overflow-x: hidden;
+  resize: vertical;
+  min-height: 412px;
+  max-height: 700px;
+  max-width: 540px;
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkedItems.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkedItems.vue
index c5087047f7..fc10a66f75 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkedItems.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/LinkedItems.vue
@@ -306,15 +306,14 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
 <template>
   <div class="nc-modal-child-list h-full w-full" :class="{ active: vModel }" @keydown.enter.stop>
     <div class="flex flex-col h-full">
-      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-header bg-gray-100 py-2 rounded-t-md flex justify-between pl-3 pr-2 gap-2">
+      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-header bg-gray-100 py-2 rounded-t-xl flex justify-between pl-3 pr-2 gap-2">
         <div v-if="!isForm" class="flex-1 nc-dropdown-link-record-search-wrapper flex items-center py-0.5 rounded-md">
-          <MdiMagnify class="nc-search-icon w-5 h-5" />
           <a-input
             ref="filterQueryRef"
             v-model:value="childrenListPagination.query"
             :bordered="false"
             placeholder="Search linked records..."
-            class="w-full min-h-4"
+            class="w-full min-h-4 !pl-0"
             size="small"
             @change="onFilterChange"
             @keydown.capture.stop="
@@ -325,6 +324,9 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
               }
             "
           >
+            <template #prefix>
+              <GeneralIcon icon="search" class="nc-search-icon mr-2 h-4 w-4 text-gray-500" />
+            </template>
           </a-input>
         </div>
         <div v-else>&nbsp;</div>
@@ -343,26 +345,21 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
               <div
                 v-for="(_x, i) in Array.from({ length: skeletonCount })"
                 :key="i"
-                class="flex flex-row gap-2 mb-2 transition-all relative !border-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50"
+                class="flex flex-row gap-3 px-3 py-2 transition-all relative border-b-1 border-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50"
               >
                 <div class="flex items-center">
-                  <a-skeleton-image class="h-14 w-14 !rounded-xl children:!h-full" />
+                  <a-skeleton-image class="!h-11 !w-11 !rounded-md overflow-hidden children:(!h-full !w-full)" />
                 </div>
                 <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 flex-grow justify-center">
-                  <a-skeleton-input active class="h-3 !w-48 !rounded-xl" size="small" />
+                  <a-skeleton-input active class="h-4 !w-48 !rounded-md overflow-hidden" size="small" />
                   <div class="flex flex-row gap-6 w-10/12">
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
+                    <a-skeleton-input
+                      v-for="idx of [1, 2, 3]"
+                      :key="idx"
+                      active
+                      class="!h-3 !w-24 !rounded-md overflow-hidden"
+                      size="small"
+                    />
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
@@ -410,13 +407,13 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <div class="bg-gray-100 px-3 py-2 rounded-b-md flex items-center justify-between gap-3 min-h-12">
+      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-footer bg-gray-100 p-2 rounded-b-xl flex items-center justify-between gap-3 min-h-11">
         <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
           <NcButton
             v-if="!isPublic"
             v-e="['c:row-expand:open']"
             size="small"
-            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500)"
+            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500) !h-7 !text-small"
             type="secondary"
             @click="addNewRecord"
           >
@@ -428,7 +425,7 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
             v-if="!readOnly && (childrenListCount > 0 || (childrenList?.list ?? state?.[colTitle] ?? []).length > 0)"
             v-e="['c:links:link']"
             data-testid="nc-child-list-button-link-to"
-            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500)"
+            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500) !h-7 !text-small"
             size="small"
             type="secondary"
             @click="emit('attachRecord')"
@@ -478,6 +475,7 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
         :state="newRowState"
         :row-id="extractPkFromRow(expandedFormRow, relatedTableMeta.columns as ColumnType[])"
         use-meta-fields
+        new-record-submit-btn-text="Create & Link"
         @created-record="onCreatedRecord"
       />
     </Suspense>
@@ -493,8 +491,8 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
   @apply !p-0;
 }
 
-:deep(.ant-skeleton-element .ant-skeleton-image) {
-  @apply !h-full;
+:deep(.ant-skeleton-element .ant-skeleton-image-svg) {
+  @apply !w-7;
 }
 </style>
 
@@ -509,5 +507,10 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
       @apply text-gray-600;
     }
   }
+  input {
+    &::placeholder {
+      @apply text-gray-500;
+    }
+  }
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ListItem.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ListItem.vue
index 5602959d6e..0500edc400 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ListItem.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/ListItem.vue
@@ -90,25 +90,6 @@ const displayValue = computed(() => {
       :hoverable="false"
     >
       <div class="flex items-center gap-3">
-        <div v-if="isLoading" class="flex">
-          <MdiLoading class="flex-none w-7 h-7 !text-brand-500 animate-spin" />
-        </div>
-
-        <NcTooltip v-else class="z-10 flex">
-          <template #title> {{ isLinked ? 'Unlink' : 'Link' }}</template>
-
-          <button
-            tabindex="-1"
-            class="nc-list-item-link-unlink-btn p-1.5 flex rounded-lg transition-all"
-            :class="{
-              'bg-red-100 text-red-500 hover:bg-red-200': isLinked,
-              'bg-green-100 text-green-500 hover:bg-green-200': !isLinked,
-            }"
-            @click="$emit('linkOrUnlink')"
-          >
-            <GeneralIcon :icon="isLinked ? 'minus' : 'plus'" class="flex-none w-4 h-4 !font-extrabold" />
-          </button>
-        </NcTooltip>
         <template v-if="attachment">
           <div v-if="attachments && attachments.length">
             <a-carousel autoplay class="!w-11 !h-11 !max-h-11 !max-w-11">
@@ -144,15 +125,20 @@ const displayValue = computed(() => {
           >
             <div v-for="field in fields" :key="field.id" class="sm:(w-1/3 max-w-1/3 overflow-hidden)">
               <div v-if="!isRowEmpty(row, field)" class="flex flex-col gap-[-1]">
-                <NcTooltip class="z-10 flex" placement="bottom">
+                <NcTooltip class="z-10 flex" placement="bottomLeft" :arrow-point-at-center="false">
                   <template #title>
                     <LazySmartsheetHeaderVirtualCell
                       v-if="isVirtualCol(field)"
-                      class="!scale-60 text-gray-100 !text-sm"
+                      class="text-gray-100 !text-sm nc-link-record-cell-tooltip"
+                      :column="field"
+                      :hide-menu="true"
+                    />
+                    <LazySmartsheetHeaderCell
+                      v-else
+                      class="text-gray-100 !text-sm nc-link-record-cell-tooltip"
                       :column="field"
                       :hide-menu="true"
                     />
-                    <LazySmartsheetHeaderCell v-else class="!scale-70 text-gray-100 !text-sm" :column="field" :hide-menu="true" />
                   </template>
                   <div class="nc-link-record-cell flex w-full max-w-full">
                     <LazySmartsheetVirtualCell v-if="isVirtualCol(field)" v-model="row[field.title]" :row="row" :column="field" />
@@ -171,15 +157,38 @@ const displayValue = computed(() => {
           </div>
         </div>
         <div v-if="!isForm && !isPublic && !readOnly" class="flex-none flex items-center w-7">
+          <NcTooltip class="flex">
+            <template #title>{{ $t('title.expand') }}</template>
+
+            <button
+              v-e="['c:row-expand:open']"
+              :tabindex="-1"
+              class="z-10 flex items-center justify-center nc-expand-item !group-hover:visible !invisible !h-7 !w-7 transition-all !hover:children:(w-4.5 h-4.5)"
+              @click.stop="$emit('expand', row)"
+            >
+              <MaximizeIcon class="flex-none w-4 h-4 scale-125" />
+            </button>
+          </NcTooltip>
+        </div>
+
+        <NcTooltip class="z-10 flex">
+          <template #title> {{ isLinked ? 'Unlink' : 'Link' }}</template>
+
           <button
-            v-e="['c:row-expand:open']"
-            :tabindex="-1"
-            class="z-10 flex items-center justify-center nc-expand-item !group-hover:visible !invisible !h-7 !w-7 transition-all !hover:children:(w-4.5 h-4.5)"
-            @click.stop="$emit('expand', row)"
+            tabindex="-1"
+            class="nc-list-item-link-unlink-btn p-1.5 flex rounded-lg transition-all"
+            :class="{
+              'bg-gray-200 text-gray-800 hover:(bg-red-100 text-red-500)': isLinked,
+              'bg-green-[#D4F7E0] text-[#17803D] hover:bg-green-200': !isLinked,
+            }"
+            @click="$emit('linkOrUnlink')"
           >
-            <MaximizeIcon class="flex-none w-4 h-4 scale-125" />
+            <div v-if="isLoading" class="flex">
+              <MdiLoading class="flex-none w-4 h-4 !text-brand-500 animate-spin" />
+            </div>
+            <GeneralIcon v-else :icon="isLinked ? 'minus' : 'plus'" class="flex-none w-4 h-4 !font-extrabold" />
           </button>
-        </div>
+        </NcTooltip>
       </div>
     </a-card>
   </div>
@@ -260,6 +269,14 @@ const displayValue = computed(() => {
     }
   }
 }
+.nc-link-record-cell-tooltip {
+  :deep(.nc-cell-icon) {
+    @apply !ml-0;
+  }
+  :deep(.name) {
+    @apply !text-small;
+  }
+}
 </style>
 
 <style lang="scss">
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/UnLinkedItems.vue b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/UnLinkedItems.vue
index 8abc85e633..2b6f070dc2 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/UnLinkedItems.vue
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/components/virtual-cell/components/UnLinkedItems.vue
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
 <template>
   <div class="nc-modal-link-record h-full w-full overflow-hidden" :class="{ active: vModel }" @keydown.enter.stop>
     <div class="flex flex-col h-full">
-      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-header bg-gray-100 py-2 rounded-t-md flex justify-between pl-3 pr-2 gap-2">
+      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-header bg-gray-100 py-2 rounded-t-xl flex justify-between pl-3 pr-2 gap-2">
         <div class="flex-1 gap-2 flex items-center">
           <button
             v-if="!hideBackBtn"
@@ -306,13 +306,12 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
           </button>
 
           <div class="flex-1 nc-dropdown-link-record-search-wrapper flex items-center py-0.5 rounded-md">
-            <MdiMagnify class="nc-search-icon w-5 h-5" />
             <a-input
               ref="filterQueryRef"
               v-model:value="childrenExcludedListPagination.query"
               :bordered="false"
               placeholder="Search records to link..."
-              class="w-full nc-excluded-search min-h-4"
+              class="w-full nc-excluded-search min-h-4 !pl-0"
               size="small"
               @change="onFilterChange"
               @keydown.capture.stop="
@@ -323,6 +322,9 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
                 }
               "
             >
+              <template #prefix>
+                <GeneralIcon icon="search" class="nc-search-icon mr-2 h-4 w-4 text-gray-500" />
+              </template>
             </a-input>
           </div>
         </div>
@@ -341,26 +343,21 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
               <div
                 v-for="(_x, i) in Array.from({ length: 10 })"
                 :key="i"
-                class="flex flex-row gap-2 mb-2 transition-all relative !border-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50"
+                class="flex flex-row gap-3 px-3 py-2 transition-all relative border-b-1 border-gray-200 hover:bg-gray-50"
               >
                 <div class="flex items-center">
-                  <a-skeleton-image class="h-14 w-14 !rounded-xl children:!h-full" />
+                  <a-skeleton-image class="!h-11 !w-11 !rounded-md overflow-hidden children:(!h-full !w-full)" />
                 </div>
                 <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 flex-grow justify-center">
-                  <a-skeleton-input active class="h-3 !w-48 !rounded-xl" size="small" />
+                  <a-skeleton-input active class="h-4 !w-48 !rounded-md overflow-hidden" size="small" />
                   <div class="flex flex-row gap-6 w-10/12">
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
-                    <div class="flex flex-col gap-0.5">
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-12" size="small" />
-                      <a-skeleton-input active class="!h-2 !w-24" size="small" />
-                    </div>
+                    <a-skeleton-input
+                      v-for="idx of [1, 2, 3]"
+                      :key="idx"
+                      active
+                      class="!h-3 !w-24 !rounded-md overflow-hidden"
+                      size="small"
+                    />
                   </div>
                 </div>
               </div>
@@ -392,19 +389,21 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
         </template>
         <div v-else class="h-full my-auto py-2 flex flex-col gap-3 items-center justify-center text-gray-500">
           <InboxIcon class="w-16 h-16 mx-auto" />
-          <p>
+
+          <p v-if="childrenExcludedListPagination.query">{{ $t('msg.noRecordsMatchYourSearchQuery') }}</p>
+          <p v-else>
             {{ $t('msg.thereAreNoRecordsInTable') }}
             {{ relatedTableMeta?.title }}
           </p>
         </div>
       </div>
-      <div class="bg-gray-100 px-3 py-2 rounded-b-md flex items-center justify-between min-h-12">
+      <div class="nc-dropdown-link-record-footer bg-gray-100 p-2 rounded-b-xl flex items-center justify-between min-h-11">
         <div class="flex">
           <NcButton
             v-if="!isPublic"
             v-e="['c:row-expand:open']"
             size="small"
-            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500)"
+            class="!hover:(bg-white text-brand-500) !h-7 !text-small"
             type="secondary"
             @click="addNewRecord"
           >
@@ -463,6 +462,7 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
         :state="newRowState"
         use-meta-fields
         :skip-reload="true"
+        new-record-submit-btn-text="Create & Link"
         @created-record="onCreatedRecord"
       />
     </Suspense>
@@ -470,8 +470,8 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
 </template>
 
 <style lang="scss" scoped>
-:deep(.ant-skeleton-element .ant-skeleton-image) {
-  @apply !h-full;
+:deep(.ant-skeleton-element .ant-skeleton-image-svg) {
+  @apply !w-7;
 }
 </style>
 
@@ -486,5 +486,11 @@ const onFilterChange = () => {
       @apply text-gray-600;
     }
   }
+
+  input {
+    &::placeholder {
+      @apply text-gray-500;
+    }
+  }
 }
 </style>
diff --git a/packages/nc-gui/lang/en.json b/packages/nc-gui/lang/en.json
index 0fa54be92c..6006065a98 100644
--- a/packages/nc-gui/lang/en.json
+++ b/packages/nc-gui/lang/en.json
@@ -1200,6 +1200,7 @@
     "noNewNotifications": "You have no new notifications",
     "noRecordFound": "Record not found",
     "noRecordsFound": "No records found",
+    "noRecordsMatchYourSearchQuery": "No records match your search query",
     "rowDeleted": "Record deleted",
     "saveChanges": "Do you want to save the changes?",
     "tooLargeFieldEntity": "The field is too large to be converted to {entity}",
diff --git a/packages/noco-docs/docs/070.fields/040.field-types/040.links-based/010.links.md b/packages/noco-docs/docs/070.fields/040.field-types/040.links-based/010.links.md
index 17d272bc32..635881589c 100644
--- a/packages/noco-docs/docs/070.fields/040.field-types/040.links-based/010.links.md
+++ b/packages/noco-docs/docs/070.fields/040.field-types/040.links-based/010.links.md
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ List of linked records will appear as a dropdown containing linked records as ca
 1. Search bar, to narrow down the list of linked records displayed
 2. Icon represents `Many-to-Many` relation. The count indicates the number of linked records
 3. List (cards) of linked records
-4. Click on the `-` icon to unlink the record 
-5. To view additional information (expanded record), hover on the card & click on the `<>` icon
+4. To view additional information (expanded record), hover on the card & click on the `<>` icon
+5. Click on the `-` icon to unlink the record
 6. Click on `+ New record` button to create and link a new record to the current one 
 7. Click on `Link more records` to link an existing record [Read more](#link-new-records)
 8. Pagination bar
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ A brief note about the modal components:
 1. Search bar, to narrow down the list of records displayed
 2. Icon represents `Many-to-Many` relation. The count indicates the number of linked records
 3. List (cards) of records available for linking
-4. Click on the `+` icon to link the record
-5. To view additional information (expanded record) before linking, hover on the card & click on the `<>` icon
+4. To view additional information (expanded record) before linking, hover on the card & click on the `<>` icon
+5. Click on the `+` icon to link the record
 6. Click on `+ New record` button to create and link a new record to the current one
 7. Pagination bar
 
diff --git a/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/add-link-modal.png b/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/add-link-modal.png
index eca5d7d57e..a33dc70ec2 100644
Binary files a/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/add-link-modal.png and b/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/add-link-modal.png differ
diff --git a/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/linked-record-modal.png b/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/linked-record-modal.png
index fc0964d567..2007c7efe3 100644
Binary files a/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/linked-record-modal.png and b/packages/noco-docs/static/img/v2/fields/linked-record-modal.png differ
diff --git a/packages/nocodb/src/models/Column.ts b/packages/nocodb/src/models/Column.ts
index 1d22995207..328ae305a9 100644
--- a/packages/nocodb/src/models/Column.ts
+++ b/packages/nocodb/src/models/Column.ts
@@ -498,6 +498,16 @@ export default class Column<T = any> implements ColumnType {
     ]);
     let { list: columnsList } = cachedList;
     const { isNoneList } = cachedList;
+
+    const defaultViewColumns = fk_default_view_id
+      ? await View.getColumns(fk_default_view_id)
+      : [];
+
+    const defaultViewColumnOrderMap = defaultViewColumns.reduce((acc, col) => {
+      acc[col.fk_column_id] = col.order;
+      return acc;
+    }, {} as Record<string, number>);
+
     if (!isNoneList && !columnsList.length) {
       columnsList = await ncMeta.metaList2(null, null, MetaTable.COLUMNS, {
         condition: {
@@ -507,38 +517,29 @@ export default class Column<T = any> implements ColumnType {
           order: 'asc',
         },
       });
-      const defaultViewColumns = fk_default_view_id
-        ? await View.getColumns(fk_default_view_id)
-        : [];
-
-      const defaultViewColumnOrderMap = defaultViewColumns.reduce(
-        (acc, col) => {
-          acc[col.fk_column_id] = col.order;
-          return acc;
-        },
-        {} as Record<string, number>,
-      );
 
       columnsList.forEach((column) => {
         column.meta = parseMetaProp(column);
-
-        if (defaultViewColumns.length) {
-          column.meta = {
-            ...column.meta,
-            defaultViewColOrder: defaultViewColumnOrderMap[column.id],
-          };
-        }
       });
 
       await NocoCache.setList(CacheScope.COLUMN, [fk_model_id], columnsList);
     }
+
     columnsList.sort(
       (a, b) =>
         (a.order != null ? a.order : Infinity) -
         (b.order != null ? b.order : Infinity),
     );
+
     return Promise.all(
       columnsList.map(async (m) => {
+        if (defaultViewColumns.length) {
+          m.meta = {
+            ...parseMetaProp(m),
+            defaultViewColOrder: defaultViewColumnOrderMap[m.id],
+          };
+        }
+
         const column = new Column(m);
         await column.getColOptions(ncMeta);
         return column;