WYSIWYG Editor

A WYSIWYG editor in Bubble is a rich text editor element that lets users format and edit content visually inside your app. WYSIWYG stands for "What You See Is What You Get," meaning the editing view matches how the content will look when published.

Bubble includes a built-in rich text editor element that you can place on any page. It lets users add formatted text, headings, links, and lists without needing to know any HTML or markdown syntax.

Key Takeaways

• Rich text editing in-app: The WYSIWYG editor lets users write and format content directly inside your Bubble app without using external tools.
• Built-in Bubble element: Bubble includes a native Rich Text Editor element that you drag onto any page just like any other element.
• Stores HTML output: The editor saves formatted content as HTML, which Bubble stores in a text field and renders correctly when displayed elsewhere in your app.
• Customizable toolbar: You can configure which formatting options appear in the editor toolbar to match what your users actually need.

What is WYSIWYG Editor in Bubble?

A WYSIWYG editor in Bubble is a rich text input element that shows users exactly how their formatted content will appear while they are writing it. Users can apply bold text, add links, insert images, and structure content without any technical knowledge.

The difference between a plain text input and a WYSIWYG editor is formatting. A plain text input stores raw text with no visual structure. A WYSIWYG editor stores HTML that preserves the formatting the user applied while editing.

• Intuitive for non-technical users: Anyone who has used a word processor can use a WYSIWYG editor without training. The formatting controls look familiar and work as expected.
• Outputs formatted HTML: When a user saves their content, the editor stores it as HTML. When you display that content elsewhere in your app, Bubble renders the HTML so formatting appears correctly.
• Supports common formatting: Most WYSIWYG editors support bold, italic, underline, links, lists, headings, and sometimes image embedding, depending on the editor's configuration.

WYSIWYG editors are particularly useful in apps where users need to create or edit content that will be displayed to others, such as blog post editors, knowledge base tools, or email template builders.

How the WYSIWYG Editor Works in Bubble

In Bubble, the Rich Text Editor element functions as a WYSIWYG editor. You place it on a page, configure the toolbar options, and store the HTML output in a text field in your database when the user submits their content.

Setting up the WYSIWYG editor in Bubble follows the same pattern as any other input element. Place it on the page, connect it to a workflow, and save the content to your database.

• Place and size the element: Drag the Rich Text Editor from the Elements panel onto your page. Set its height and width to fit your layout. The editor renders inside these boundaries.
• Configure the toolbar: In the element's properties panel, choose which formatting buttons appear in the editor toolbar. Removing options the user does not need keeps the interface clean.
• Save the HTML to your database: In your submit workflow, reference the Rich Text Editor's value using "Rich Text Editor A's value." Save this to a text field on your data type. Display it later using Bubble's HTML element to render the formatting.

Understanding how WYSIWYG editors work technically helps you anticipate why HTML storage and proper rendering are important parts of using this element correctly in Bubble.

Why the WYSIWYG Editor Matters for No-Code Apps

The WYSIWYG editor makes content creation inside your Bubble app accessible to non-technical users. Without it, users would need to write raw HTML or markdown to add any formatting to their content.

Most app users are not developers. Asking them to write HTML to format a blog post or a product description creates unnecessary friction that leads to either unformatted content or user frustration.

• Better content quality: Users who can format text easily produce more structured, readable content than users who submit plain text because formatting feels too technical.
• Reduces external tool dependency: With a WYSIWYG editor in your app, users do not need to write content in Google Docs and paste it in. They can draft, format, and publish without leaving your app.
• Enables rich content features: Apps like community platforms, knowledge bases, and publishing tools need WYSIWYG editing as a core feature. Bubble's built-in editor makes this possible without a plugin.

For apps that handle long-form content, the WYSIWYG editor is often one of the most user-visible features. Investing in its configuration and display rendering pays off in how polished your app feels to users who create content regularly.

Common WYSIWYG Editor Issues in Bubble

The most common WYSIWYG editor issues in Bubble are displaying saved HTML incorrectly, allowing users to paste unsafe HTML from external sources, and not configuring the editor's toolbar to match the user's actual formatting needs.

Getting the editor working is straightforward. Displaying its output correctly and keeping it secure requires a bit more care.

• Use the HTML element to display rich text: Bubble's standard text element does not render HTML. Use the HTML element or a rich text display element to show WYSIWYG-stored content with its formatting intact.
• Sanitize pasted content: When users paste content from external sources, they can accidentally paste HTML with styles or scripts. Use Bubble's text formatting options or a sanitization plugin to clean pasted content.
• Limit toolbar options thoughtfully: Giving users every formatting option leads to inconsistent content styles. Show only the formatting tools that match your app's design and content purpose.

Testing the full content creation and display flow in Bubble's test mode before going live ensures that saved HTML renders correctly for all users and that the editor behaves as expected on all screen sizes.

Conclusion

The WYSIWYG editor is an important element for any Bubble app where users create or edit formatted content. Bubble's built-in Rich Text Editor covers most standard use cases well. Getting the display and storage right from the start avoids common pitfalls that cause formatted content to appear broken or unstyled for users. 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

Does Bubble have a built-in WYSIWYG editor?

Yes. Bubble includes a Rich Text Editor element that functions as a WYSIWYG editor. You can find it in the Elements panel and drag it onto any page.

How do I display WYSIWYG content correctly in Bubble?

Use Bubble's HTML element rather than the standard text element to display content saved from the Rich Text Editor. The HTML element renders the stored HTML formatting correctly.

Can I customize the toolbar in Bubble's Rich Text Editor?

Yes. In the element's properties panel, you can enable or disable specific formatting buttons like bold, italic, links, and lists to tailor the toolbar to your users' needs.

Does Bubble's WYSIWYG editor support image embedding?

The built-in Rich Text Editor has limited image support. For full image embedding inside the editor, consider a third-party rich text plugin from Bubble's marketplace.

Is content from Bubble's Rich Text Editor safe to display?

Be cautious with user-generated HTML content. Use sanitization to remove potentially unsafe HTML when displaying content created or pasted by users you do not fully trust.

What field type should I use to store WYSIWYG content in Bubble?

Store rich text editor content in a standard text field in your data type. Bubble stores it as an HTML string, which you then render using the HTML element when displaying it.