How to implement a FAQ system in Bubble.io: Step-by-Step Guide

Go to the Data tab and create a new data type called FAQ. Add fields: question (text), answer (text), category (Option Set — create a FAQCategory Option Set with values like General, Billing, Technical, Account), sort_order (number), and is_published (yes/no). The sort_order field lets you control the display order within each category. The is_published field lets admins draft entries before making them visible.

Go to the Design tab and create a page called faq. Add a Custom State on the page called expanded_faq (type: FAQ) to track which question is currently open. Add a Repeating Group with type FAQ, data source: Search for FAQs where is_published = yes, sorted by category then sort_order. In each cell, add the question text in bold as a clickable Text element. Below it, add the answer text inside a Group with conditional visibility: only visible when Page's expanded_faq is This cell's FAQ. This creates the accordion effect.

Create a workflow: When Text Question is clicked. Add two paths. Path 1 (Only when Page's expanded_faq is Current cell's FAQ): Set state of Page expanded_faq to empty — this collapses the currently open item. Path 2 (Only when Page's expanded_faq is not Current cell's FAQ): Set state of Page expanded_faq to Current cell's FAQ — this expands the clicked item and collapses any previously open item. Add a visual indicator: a conditional on an icon element that shows a down arrow when collapsed and an up arrow when expanded.

Above the Repeating Group, add a row of category filter buttons using the FAQCategory Option Set. When a category is clicked, set a Custom State category_filter on the page. Update the Repeating Group's search to include: category = Page's category_filter (with Ignore empty constraints checked so showing all when no filter is selected). Add a Search Input above the categories. Filter the Repeating Group additionally by: question contains Search Input's value OR answer contains Search Input's value.

Create a page called admin-faq restricted to admin users. Add a Repeating Group showing all FAQs (including unpublished) sorted by category and sort_order. Each cell shows the question, category, sort order, published status, and Edit/Delete buttons. Add a Create New FAQ button that opens a popup with inputs for question, answer, category dropdown, sort order, and is_published checkbox. The save workflow creates a new FAQ record. The edit workflow loads the selected FAQ into the popup and uses Make changes to a thing on save. For complex help center systems, consider working with RapidDev.