State in No-code

When you build apps with no-code platforms, you need a way to track what’s happening on the screen. For example, is a popup visible or hidden? Has the user clicked a button? Is a form field filled in? These temporary conditions are controlled by something called a state.

A state is like a memory that holds the current status of an element, user, or app at a specific moment. It doesn’t permanently store data in the database—it only remembers values temporarily while the app is running.

In this guide, I’ll explain what a state is in no-code, how it works, examples of states in real apps, and why they’re essential for building dynamic, interactive applications.

What is a State in No-code?

A state in no-code is a temporary value that represents the current condition of an app, element, or user. Unlike data saved in a database, states exist only while the app is running.

Examples of states:

• A toggle button is ON or OFF.
• A popup is VISIBLE or HIDDEN.
• A user is LOGGED IN or LOGGED OUT.
• A counter shows 1, 2, 3… as a user clicks.

States help apps “remember” things without storing them permanently.

How States Work in No-code Platforms

Most no-code platforms let you define and use states for elements or workflows. A state usually has three parts:

1. Variable name – The label for the state (e.g., “PopupVisible”).
2. Value – The current condition (e.g., True/False, a number, or text).
3. Trigger/Action – The event that updates the state (e.g., button click).

Example in Bubble:

• Create a state for a button: “Clicked = Yes/No.”
• When the user clicks, update state → Yes.
• Workflow checks the state and shows the popup only if “Clicked = Yes.”

This makes apps feel interactive without relying on the database for every small change.

Benefits of Using States

States are powerful because they give apps flexibility and speed.

Key benefits include:

• Dynamic behavior – Apps respond instantly to user actions.
• Faster performance – No need to hit the database for every update.
• Flexibility – Store temporary values like filters or selections.
• Better user experience – Makes apps interactive and responsive.
• Control over UI – Show/hide elements or switch modes based on state.

Without states, apps would feel static and slow.

Examples of States in No-code Apps

States are everywhere in apps you use daily. Here are some examples:

• E-commerce apps – Remember which product filter is active (price low-high, category selected).
• Forms – Show error messages only when a state says “Invalid.”
• Social apps – Track if a post is liked or unliked.
• Booking apps – Highlight selected time slots using state.
• Dashboards – Switch between chart views when a state changes.

These temporary values make apps interactive and user-friendly.

State vs Database in No-code

It’s important to know the difference between a state and database data:

• State – Temporary memory stored only while the app is active. Example: a popup is open.
• Database – Permanent storage that saves information even when the app is closed. Example: a user’s email.

Use states for short-term conditions, and databases for long-term records.

States in Popular No-code Platforms

Each platform handles states in its own way:

• Bubble – Custom states can be added to any element.
• Glide – Uses user-specific columns and visibility rules to act like states.
• FlutterFlow – Stateful widgets track temporary conditions.
• Adalo – Screens and components use conditional visibility (similar to states).
• Webflow – Uses interactions and animations tied to state changes.

No matter the platform, states give apps their dynamic behavior.

How to Use States Effectively

To design better apps with states, follow these tips:

• Keep it simple – Use states for temporary values, not everything.
• Name states clearly – For example, “MenuOpen” instead of just “State1.”
• Combine with workflows – Use states to trigger actions.
• Reset states – Clear them when no longer needed to avoid confusion.
• Use database wisely – Don’t store temporary UI values in permanent storage.

Good state management makes your app efficient and easy to maintain.

Conclusion

A state in no-code is a temporary condition that controls how your app behaves. From showing popups to tracking button clicks, states give apps the interactivity users expect.

They are not the same as database values. States exist only while the app is active, making them perfect for UI changes, filters, and temporary logic. If you want to build dynamic apps in Bubble, Glide, FlutterFlow, or other platforms, mastering states is essential.