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Start for freeUnderstanding Custom States in Bubble
Custom states in Bubble's no-code platform are a powerful feature that allows developers to temporarily store data within a page or an element of their application. This functionality is particularly useful for changing the behavior of elements or storing data without making permanent changes to the database. In this guide, we'll explore how to effectively use custom states by walking through three common use cases: creating a dark mode switch, building a tabbed navigation experience, and temporarily storing data on a page before database entry.
Implementing Dark Mode with Custom States
One popular feature in modern applications is a dark mode switch. To create this in Bubble, you can use a toggle plugin to allow users to switch between dark and light modes. The process involves creating a custom state on the page level that stores whether dark mode is active (a yes/no state). By setting up workflows that respond to the toggle, you can update the custom state and use conditions to change the appearance of the page and its elements accordingly.
Creating Tabbed Navigation
Another useful application of custom states is in creating a tabbed navigation experience. By storing custom states that represent which tab is currently active, you can show and hide groups of elements based on user selection. This method is excellent for single-page applications where you want to dynamically display content without navigating away from the page.
Temporarily Storing Data on a Page
The third use case involves temporarily storing data on a page before adding it to the database. This scenario is common in forms where users compile information that constitutes a single database entry, such as creating a new project with multiple team members. By using custom states to hold the data temporarily, you can collect all necessary information from the user before committing it to the database in one action.
Key Takeaways
Custom states are an essential tool in the Bubble developer's toolkit, enabling dynamic and interactive applications without the need for database modifications. By understanding how to create and manipulate custom states, developers can build more responsive and user-friendly applications. Whether it's enhancing user experience with a dark mode, simplifying navigation, or managing temporary data, custom states offer a flexible solution to common development challenges in Bubble.
Remember, the power of custom states lies in their temporary nature. While they offer great flexibility, it's important to eventually move any critical data into your database to ensure persistence across sessions. With practice, leveraging custom states will become a second nature, significantly enriching your Bubble applications.
For more details and a step-by-step guide on implementing these features in Bubble, watch the full tutorial here.
