Bubble.io and MySQL integration: Step-by-Step Guide 2024

Integrating Bubble.io with MySQL can be done through different ways. Here we will discuss two of the most reliable methods:

Method 1: Using API Connector Plugin

Prerequisite: A basic understanding of setting up APIs.

Step 1:
Before starting the configuration, you need to have a hosted MySQL server accessible with a whitelisted IP. If your MySQL server is hosted locally, you need to set up a local web server to make your MySQL server accessible online.

Step 2:
You can connect your MySQL database to Bubble by using the API Connector plugin. This plugin allows you to connect with any API easily. Go to your Bubble dashboard, navigate to the Plugins section, and install API Connector plugin.

Step 3:
Once the plugin installed, head over to the Plugins -> API Connector tab to add a new API.

Step 4:
Choose a name for your API. Click on Add another API. Under the API Base URL enter the base URL of your hosted MySQL database.

Step 5:
Now, define the data structure of your API. Here, you will be making HTTP requests to your MySQL database- a GET request to retrieve data, and POST request to insert data. Click on Add another call and configure these requests.

Step 6:
To retrieve data from your MySQL database, define an endpoint for the GET request. Give a name to identify this request (like Get_data) and select GET as the Method.

Step 7:
Under URL, add the specific endpoint where your API will be retrieving data. Set up parameters if needed.

Step 8:
Under the headers tab, provide your database authentication details (like Content-Type: application/json and Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN).

Step 9:
To send data to your MySQL database, you need to create a POST request. Similar to the GET request, give a name (like Add_data) and select POST as the Method.

Step 10:
Like you did with the GET request, under URL, add the specific endpoint where your API will be sending data. Set up parameters if required.

Step 11:
Provide the headers, with Content-Type: application/json and Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN.

Step 12:
Under the Body field, insert the raw body content in JSON format containing data that you want to send to the database.

Step 13:
Once you have configured everything, click on Initialize Call for Bubble to load data structure from your server. Repeat this step for both GET and POST calls.

Step 14:
Test fetching data by making calls using parameter values.

Step 15:
Once you have tested the APIs, you can now use these APIs in your Bubble workflows to retrieve and add data to your MySQL database.

Method 2: Using SQL Database Connector Plugin

Prerequisite: A basic understanding of Database management.

Step 1:
From the Bubble.io editor, go to the Plugins section and add SQL Database Connector plugin.

Step 2:
After the plugin is installed, go to the Settings tab and find the plugin's settings.

Step 3:
In the ‘SQL Database Connector’, select MySQL as your database type.

Step 4:
Enter your MySQL server details - Host, Database name, User, and Password. These details should be provided by your hosting provider.

Step 5:
Test the connection using the Test Connection button.

Step 6:
Once the connection is established, navigate to Data tab and click on New Types.

Step 7:
Set up PostgreSQL or SQL Server type.

Step 8:
Under the Select section, create a statement to fetch data from your MySQL Database by using SELECT statement.

Step 9:
Test the statement by clicking on Preview.

Step 10:
Under the Insert section, provide the SQL statement to add data to your database.

Finally, now you can use this data type in your Bubble.io application and since the data type is linked to an external database, any changes to the data will be reflected on Bubble.io as well.

Remember to consult your web hosting provider's instructions or support if you are not already familiar with connecting to your MySQL database. With each method, be sure to follow along with each step and always test each function to ensure a successful integration.

Also, keep your credentials secure. Only share your credentials with trusted users or applications.

NOTE: Users are recommended to use these methods only if they have experience with SQL commands and understating of Bubble.io functionalities.