Repeating Group

A Repeating Group in Bubble is an element that displays a list of database records or items by repeating a cell layout for each one. It is how Bubble shows multiple records at the same time.

If you need to display a list of users, products, bookings, or any collection of data, the Repeating Group is the primary element for doing that in Bubble.

Key Takeaways

• List display: Repeating Groups are Bubble's main tool for showing multiple database records on a single page.
• Flexible layouts: You can configure cells to display in rows, columns, or a grid depending on your design needs.
• Dynamic data source: The group connects to a database search or API call to pull in the records it displays.
• Nested support: You can nest Repeating Groups inside other Repeating Groups to display related data structures.

What is a Repeating Group in Bubble?

A Repeating Group is a Bubble element that takes a list of data and renders a repeated cell for each item. The cell design you create for one item is automatically applied to every item in the list.

You define the layout once inside the cell, and Bubble repeats it for every record returned by your data source. This makes it efficient to display any number of records with a consistent design.

• Single cell design: Build the layout for one record and Bubble repeats it across all results automatically.
• Supports all data types: You can display database Things, option sets, list fields, or API results in a Repeating Group.
• Built-in pagination: Bubble supports load-more and full pagination controls for long lists inside Repeating Groups.

The Repeating Group is likely the most-used element in Bubble. Almost every real app needs to display lists of data somewhere, and this is how you do it.

How Repeating Groups Work in Bubble

You connect a Repeating Group to a data source using a search expression or a parent element's data. Bubble then renders one cell per result, with each cell having access to the current row's record.

Inside each cell, you use the phrase "Current cell's [data type]" to reference the specific record for that row. This is how each cell shows different data while sharing the same design.

• Data source field: Set this to a database search, a list field, or an API result that returns multiple items.
• Current cell reference: Inside the cell, reference "Current cell's Thing" to access that row's specific record fields.
• Row and column count: Configure how many cells appear per row to create grid, list, or horizontal scroll layouts.

Filtering and sorting the data source directly affects what the Repeating Group shows. You can add constraints to the search to display only the records that match certain conditions.

Why Repeating Groups Matter for No-Code Apps

Without Repeating Groups, Bubble apps could only show static content or a single record at a time. Repeating Groups are what make it possible to build dashboards, feeds, product listings, and any data-driven interface.

Nearly every business application involves displaying lists of things. Repeating Groups are the element that makes that possible in Bubble without writing any code.

• Product listings: E-commerce apps use Repeating Groups to display catalog items with images, prices, and actions.
• User dashboards: Apps show users their history, bookings, orders, or messages using Repeating Groups with filtered data sources.
• Admin panels: Internal tools use Repeating Groups to browse, filter, and manage large sets of database records.

Understanding how to build efficient database searches for Repeating Groups is key to keeping your app fast as your data grows.

Common Repeating Group Mistakes in Bubble

The most common Repeating Group mistakes are unfiltered searches that load too much data, nested groups that cause slow page loads, and forgetting to set privacy rules that affect what data is returned.

Performance problems in Bubble often trace back to poorly configured Repeating Groups. Knowing what to avoid saves you a lot of debugging time.

• Unfiltered searches: Loading all records without constraints causes slow page loads as your database grows over time.
• Too many nested groups: Nesting Repeating Groups several levels deep multiplies the number of database calls your page makes.
• Ignoring privacy rules: If your Privacy Rules are wrong, the Repeating Group may show records it should not, or show nothing at all.

Adding constraints, using pagination, and only loading the fields you need are the three most effective ways to keep Repeating Groups fast.

Conclusion

Repeating Groups are one of the foundational building blocks of any Bubble app. They turn database records into visual interfaces that users can browse, interact with, and take action on. Getting them right means understanding both the design layer and the data layer, and that combination is what makes Bubble apps feel polished and fast.

At LOW/CODE Agency, we've helped 450+ clients build and scale apps on Bubble and other no-code platforms. Our clients include global brands like Medtronic, American Express, Coca-Cola, Zapier, and Sotheby's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Repeating Group in Bubble show data from an API?

Yes. You can use an API Connector call as the data source for a Repeating Group to display external data.

How do I filter what a Repeating Group shows in Bubble?

Add constraints to the search expression in the data source field, or use a search with dynamic conditions based on user input.

Can I nest Repeating Groups inside each other in Bubble?

Yes, but each nested group adds more database queries, which can slow your page down if not used carefully.

How do I make a Repeating Group paginate in Bubble?

Enable pagination in the element settings and add navigation buttons or a load-more button linked to the group's pagination actions.

Why is my Repeating Group showing no data in Bubble?

Common causes include missing privacy rules, an empty data source, incorrect constraints, or a data type mismatch in the search.

Can I scroll a Repeating Group horizontally in Bubble?

Yes. Set the layout direction to horizontal and configure the group to extend beyond the visible area to enable horizontal scrolling.