Create Infinite Scrolling with Xano and Bubble: Step-by-Step Guide

Hey, Cam here from Xano Support. In this tutorial, we're diving into creating infinite scrolling functionality using Xano and Bubble. This setup allows your users to endlessly scroll through a repeating group, loading data as they go, perfect for a seamless user experience.

Setting Up in Xano:

1. Create an Endpoint: This endpoint will return data for your Bubble front end.
2. Public Endpoint: This example uses a public endpoint, but you can authenticate as needed.
3. POST Method: Although not strictly necessary, a POST is used here to potentially include more data, like objects or arrays.

Configuring the Endpoint:

1. Input: Create an integer input for pagination.
2. Sorting and Paging: Set your sorting to ensure data is in the desired order and enable paging. For this example, set 'per page' to five.
3. External Variables: Focus on the 'page' variable to control pagination from Bubble.

Implementing in Bubble:

1. Page Load Logic: When the page loads, query your Xano endpoint to initialize data and set custom states for page number and the list of items.
2. Repeating Group: Utilize the free plugin 'Orchestra Repeating Group Add-on' for enhanced repeating group functionality.
3. Musicians and Maestro: Inside your repeating group, use 'musicians' (cells) and place a 'maestro' (data communicator) outside of the repeating group.

Building Infinite Scroll Logic:

1. Page State: Store and update the current page state as users scroll.
2. API Calls: Use Bubble API Connector to set up POST requests to your Xano endpoint.
3. Dynamic Data: Combine the existing list with new data fetched upon reaching the end of the current list in the repeating group.

Key Components in Bubble:

• Musicians: Elements within the repeating group cells that trigger data fetch when visible (last item scenario).
• Maestro: Coordinates data between the repeating group and external sources, placed outside the repeating group for global access.

Infinite Scrolling Mechanics:

1. Visibility Trigger: Set musicians to become visible when they are the last item, triggering the data fetch process.
2. State Updates: Increment the 'page' state when the last item becomes visible, and fetch the next batch of data.
3. Data Merging: Merge new data with existing data in the repeating group, ensuring continuous content flow.

Demonstrating the Functionality:

• As users scroll down, they will notice new items loading seamlessly, without any buttons or manual refreshes, enhancing user engagement.
• The scrolling will continue until all data is loaded, as demonstrated with the data stopping at 101 items in this example.

Conclusion:

This tutorial showcases how to implement efficient infinite scrolling using Xano and Bubble, enhancing the user experience by allowing continuous data browsing. For any queries, feel free to leave comments, join the Xano community, or reach out through our support chat.