"One Update, Everywhere: Why You Should Use Reusable Elements in Bubble"

General
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Hey Bubblers! :waving_hand:

I wanted to open a discussion on why reusable elements are not just helpful but essential for efficient and scalable development in Bubble.io.

Whether you’re building an MVP or a full-scale app, reusable elements can save you time, boost performance, and make your app easier to manage.

:repeat_button: What Are Reusable Elements?

Reusable elements are pre-built groups of UI components that you can use across multiple pages. Instead of recreating the same header, form, or popup on each page, you build it once and reuse it anywhere.

:white_check_mark: Why They’re Efficient:

  1. Build Once, Use Anywhere – Save time by reusing components like navbars, footers, popups, and cards.
  2. Centralized Updates – Edit once, and the change reflects everywhere it’s used.
  3. Cleaner Design Workflow – Keeps pages clean and easy to maintain.
  4. Performance Benefits – Bubble caches reusables, improving load times.
  5. Modular Development – Perfect for team collaboration and managing large projects.

:light_bulb: Example Use Case:

Suppose you’re building a multi-branch coaching platform. Each branch has the same header with the logo, navigation tabs, and profile button.

Instead of duplicating the header on every page:

  • Create a “Header” reusable element.
  • Add inputs like Branch Name, User, or Current Page Name.
  • Place this reusable on each page and pass dynamic data using:
    • Custom states
    • URL parameters
    • “Parent Page’s Thing” if embedded in a page with a data type

Now, if you want to change the header layout or logic, you only need to do it once — and it’s updated everywhere.

:counterclockwise_arrows_button: Working with Dynamic Data in Reusable Elements

Reusable elements are even more powerful when you make them dynamic.

Here’s how to use dynamic data effectively:

1. Expose Inputs

In the reusable’s editor, check “Expose the option to change…” for any field you want to make dynamic (like a text, image, or input value).

2. Use Custom States

Set custom states on the reusable element to store things like selected tab, user info, or filters from the parent page.

3. Pass Data Through URL Parameters

Use Get data from page URL inside the reusable to pull values like user ID, current section, or search terms.

4. Reference Parent Group’s Data

If your reusable is placed inside a group with a type of content, you can access Parent group's Thing from within the reusable.

Example:

In a reusable Product Card, expose a field for Product and then bind text/images using This Product's Name, Price, etc.
Now you can reuse this card across your entire app — just pass a different product each time!

Hope you guys use reusable element for enhance efficiency of your project.
Thankyou