Starting with Bubble: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Last updated
June 17, 2024
Header 1
Header 2
Header 3
Header 4
Header 5
Header 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Building web applications can seem overwhelming for beginners, but with Bubble, it's easier than you might think. In this step-by-step video tutorial, we'll walk you through the basics of creating a to-do list app in Bubble, even if you have no prior experience with the platform.
Navigating the Bubble Editor
First, let's get familiar with the Bubble editor layout. The key tabs you'll use are:
Design: Where you'll create your app's user interface
Workflow: For setting up actions and database interactions
Data: To build and manage your app's database
Styles: For applying consistent styling across your app
It's important to understand the difference between the development and live versions of your Bubble app. The development version is where you'll build and test your app, while the live version is what your users will interact with once you've published your app.
Creating a Database in Bubble
Next, we'll create a database to store our to-do list items. In Bubble, each data type is like a table in a traditional database. For our app, we'll create a "to-do" data type with the following fields:
to_do_item (text): The task description
due_date (date): When the task should be completed
completed (yes/no): Whether the task has been finished
By default, Bubble connects each to-do item to the user who created it using the "Created by" field, so we don't need to add a separate user field.
Designing the User Interface
With our database set up, it's time to design the app's user interface. We'll add the following elements to our page:
An input field for the task description
A date picker for the due date
A button to add the task to the database
A repeating group to display the list of tasks
We'll also configure the input fields to be required, ensuring that users can't add a task without a description and due date.
Implementing Workflows
Workflows in Bubble allow you to create, modify, and delete database items based on user actions. For our app, we'll create two workflows:
Add Task: When the "Add Task" button is clicked, create a new to-do item in the database with the provided description and due date. Then, reset the input fields.
Mark Complete: When the "Complete" button next to a task is clicked, update that to-do item's "completed" field to "yes".
Searching and Filtering Data
To display only relevant tasks, we'll configure the repeating group's data source to search for to-do items where:
completed equals "no"
created by equals the current user
This ensures that the repeating group only shows incomplete tasks created by the logged-in user.
Testing and Previewing the App
With our app built, it's time to test it out. Preview the app in the Bubble editor and try adding and completing tasks. Verify that the data is being stored and retrieved correctly in the database.
Enhancing the App (Optional)
There are countless ways to enhance your to-do list app, such as:
Using plugins to add features like reminders or file attachments
Improving the app's design and responsiveness
Exploring more advanced Bubble features like user authentication and data privacy
At No Code MBA, we offer in-depth courses that cover these topics and more, helping you become a proficient Bubble developer.
If you want to take your Bubble skills to the next level, sign up for No Code MBA today. Our comprehensive courses will teach you how to build complex, real-world apps like an Airbnb or Reddit clone, all without writing a single line of code.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I need coding experience to build apps with Bubble?
No, you don't need any prior coding experience to build apps with Bubble. The platform is designed for non-technical users and provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface for creating web applications.
Can I build mobile apps with Bubble?
While Bubble is primarily used for building web applications, you can create mobile-responsive apps that work well on smartphones and tablets. However, if you want to build native mobile apps, you'll need to use a different no-code platform like FlutterFlow or Adalo.
Is Bubble free to use?
Bubble offers a free plan that allows you to build and test your apps. However, to unlock more features, remove Bubble branding, and launch your app on a custom domain, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
How long does it take to learn Bubble?
The time it takes to learn Bubble depends on your background and how much time you dedicate to learning the platform. Most users can grasp the basics and build simple apps within a few days or weeks. However, mastering advanced features and building complex apps may take several months of practice and learning.