Nanofibrillated cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose are potential raw materials separated from plant fibers with a high aspect ratio and excellent mechanical properties, which can be applied in various fields (packaging, medicine, etc.). They have unique advantages in the preparation of aerogels and foams, and have attracted widespread attention in recent years. Cellulose-based porous materials have good biodegradability and biocompatibility, while high porosity and high specific surface area endow them with strong mechanical properties and liquid retention performance, which can be used in wall construction, sewage treatment and other fields. At present, the preparation method of this material has been widely reported, however, due to various process problems, the actual production has not been realized. In this paper, we summarize the existing technical problems and main solutions; in the meantime, two stable systems and several drying processes are described, and the application potential of cellulose-based porous materials in the future is described, which provides a reference for subsequent research.