How to create auto-complete suggestions in Bubble.io: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating Auto-Complete Suggestions in Bubble.io

 

Creating an auto-complete feature in Bubble.io involves several steps to set up a responsive and dynamic user interface, leveraging Bubble's database and workflows. This guide provides you with a meticulous, step-by-step approach to adding auto-complete suggestions in your Bubble.io application.

 

Prerequisites

 

• An active Bubble.io account and a project where you want to implement the auto-complete feature.
• Basic understanding of Bubble's Data Types and Workflows.
• A database Data Type that will be queried for suggestions (e.g., a list of cities, products, user names, etc.).

 

Setting Up Your Data Type

 

• In your Bubble project, navigate to the Data tab to ensure you have a Data Type that contains the data from which you want to create suggestions.
• If needed, create a new Data Type by clicking on "Data Type" on the left and then "Create a new type".
• Add appropriate fields to this Data Type, such as 'Name', 'Description', etc., depending on your suggestion needs.
• Populate the Data Type with the necessary entries. For example, if you want an autocomplete for city names, populate it with entries such as New York, Los Angeles, etc.

 

Setting Up User Interface Components

 

• In the Design tab, drag an Input element onto your page where you want users to type their query.
• Below the Input element, add a Repeating Group element. This will dynamically display the list of suggestions.
• Set the Type of Content for the Repeating Group to be your Data Type (e.g., Cities).
• Configure the data source of the Repeating Group to display items where the field in question contains the value of the input (using a dynamic expression to filter results).
• Example: Search for Cities:filtered (Name contains Input A's value).

 

Configuring Dynamic Filtering

 

• Click on the Repeating Group and go to its Data Source in the property editor.
• Select "Do a search for" and select your Data Type.
• Click 'More' to add a filter, and set this filter to dynamically listen to the Input box’s value.
• Use the expression to filter by the relevant fields such as: field name:lowercase contains Input A's value:lowercase. (The 'lowercase' operator helps in handling case sensitivity).
• Make sure to set the Repeating Group to not display any items if the Input value is empty. You can achieve this by adding a condition to the Repeating Group that sets its data source to empty if the Input A's value isn't filled.

 

Implementing Workflows for Auto-Complete

 

• Navigate to the Workflow tab to create any additional functionality needed (e.g., actions that should happen when a suggestion is clicked).
• Create a new workflow that will trigger when an element within the Repeating Group is clicked (generally a Text or Group element displaying each suggestion).
• Define actions such as navigating to a page, setting a state, or updating another field based on the user's choice.

 

Styling and Testing

 

• Use Bubble's style settings to ensure that your input box and repeating group visually indicate their interactive nature.
• Test the functionality in 'Preview' mode to see how the suggestions appear as you type in the input box.
• Refine the filtering criteria if needed, to best match the desired user interaction.

 

Optimization and Debugging

 

• Ensure that the searches are efficient, particularly if your dataset is large, by using constraints effectively and indexing fields for quick retrieval.
• Utilize Bubble's debugger to identify any performance bottlenecks or issues with the autocomplete feature.
• Test functionality across different browsers and devices to ensure usability remains intact.

 

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively implement an auto-complete feature in your Bubble.io application, enhancing the user experience with dynamic suggestions that streamline data entry processes.