Search

Experience level

This core reference entry is suited for beginner-level builders to intermidiate level builders.

In-depth articles (12)

To learn about this topic more in-depth, we recommend reading the suggested articles below:

Finding data

• Article: Finding data

---

Data

• Article series: Data

  • Article: The database Understanding the Bubble database, and how to work with data.

  • Article: Files Uploading, downloading and securing files.

  • Article series: Static data

    • App texts Translating your app's static texts.

      • Option sets

  • Article series: Temporary data

    • Article: Custom states Saving data temporarily on a page or element.

      • Article: URL parameters Saving and reading data from the browser's URL bar.

---

Dynamic expressions

When you work with data in Bubble, you'll often be relying on dynamic expression to load, aggregate and manipulate it in different ways. The article below explains how dynamic expressions work.

Article series: Dynamic expressions

---

The Data tab

The Data tab in the Bubble editor is where you view and manage your app's data types and data, as well as other categories of data like files and option sets.

Article: The data tab

---

Securing the database

Database data is protected server-side by using privacy rules. These are conditions that are automatically applied every time a user tries to access a specific data type/field.

Article: Protecting data with privacy rules

Videos (4)

• Bubble Academy: The Data Tab: Bubble Introduction Series [7/10]

• Bubble Academy: How to Add a Data Type as a Custom Field | Bubble Quick Tip

• Bubble Academy; How to Instantly Modify Data With Autobinding | Bubble Quick Tip

• Bubble Academy: How to Name Your Data Types & Fields | Bubble Quick Tip

• Bubble Academy: How to use the Do a search for expression (finding data in the database)

• Bubble Academy: How to use search constraints

• Bubble Academy: How to use Ignore empty constraints

These are the search options and operators to use when performing searches by using the Do a search for .

Ignore empty constraints

Our Academy quick tip on how to ignore empty constraints

• If this checkbox is checked, constraints using values evaluating to null will be ignored. In other words, if a constraint evaluates to null, all items will be returned.

• If this box is not checked, the search will only return items whose field's value is actually null. Note that this does not apply to the Advanced filter.

Type

Select the you looking for.

Constraints

Watch our Academy quick tip on how to use search constraints

Enter the different to apply to this search.

Text matching in the database is limited to the first 256 characters for indexing purposes. If you need to match text longer than 256 characters in a search, consider appending a "filtered:" with an advanced constraint, saying "<this object>'s <data field> = <search criteria>". The reason you have to do an advanced filter is that it forces the expression to load all the items out of the database and do the full string match, rather than just the first 256 characters.

Sorting field

Choose the field to sort the list. See also: Additional sorting fields.

Note: Re-sorting a repeating group will immediately change all "current cell" values in any display elements that were dynamically derived from the current cell. Specifically, if you have a popup that opened to display "Current Cell's Thing's Info", this information is linked to the cell's index; the Thing will change when the repeating group is resorted. If there are visible elements that rely on "current cell's thing" as a data source, these will be updated once the group is re-sorted. This can result in changes in elements such as popups, group focus, or reusable elements that conditionally display information about the current cell.

Change which field......

Watch our Academy quick tip to learn how to sort a list

Select this option if you want the sorting field to be dynamic. When selected, another field will display and allow you to define the field. It can be dynamic and should match the name of an existing field. If it does not match, the application will show an error.

Random sorting

Choose this option to randomize the order results. It will be different for each user and after each refresh. It will be the same when re-running a workflow without refreshing the page.

Dynamic field name

If you want the search to be sorted according to a field chosen by the user, define an expression to define which field the search should use. For instance, the expression you design here should evaluate to 'Created Date' or some other fields you have defined in your type (it should match the displayed name of the field).

Distance from

When sorting on a location field, results will be sorted by distance relative to a point. This field defines which point. Current position, an address, etc.

Descending

Choose 'yes' to sort in descending order or 'no' to sort in ascending order. This option can be dynamic and defines an expression that returns a yes/no, e.g., a checkbox element.

Adding additional sorting rules

When you need more than one sorting rule, click this button and select a field and a descending/ascending order for that field. The rules will be applied in the order listed.

Any field

Performs a search across all the fields of the application database for a given type. For example, search for all entries with John as a first OR last name.

Advanced

Performs more advanced searches. For example, to find all apartments whose creators have an email hosted by yahoo.com, use 'This apartment's creator's email:extract domain is 'yahoo.com.' This operation happens after the search or list is retrieved from the server and is not as efficient as using constraints on a search.