How to link Framer components to CMS fields
Jul 16, 2024 • 7 min read
Framer components are powerful tools for creating reusable design elements. By combining them with Framer's CMS capabilities, you can create dynamic, data-driven designs. This guide will show you how to link Framer components to CMS fields, enabling you to create flexible and content-rich layouts.
Understanding Framer components and CMS
Before we explore the details, let's define what we mean by Framer components and CMS fields.
Framer components are customizable design elements that you can reuse and repeat throughout your project.
CMS fields in Framer's built-in Content Management System store and manage your project's data.
Creating your CMS collection
First, set up your CMS collection in Framer. Navigate to the left sidebar, click the "+" icon to create a new "Page," and select "New CMS Page." This creates a new collection, accessible via the "CMS" navigation menu. Then, add the fields you want to use in your component, such as title, description, or image.
Designing your component on a CMS page
Here's where the magic happens. To link CMS fields to your component, start on a CMS detail page. After creating a collection with multiple CMS items, select a CMS Item page from the collection. Now, design your component directly on this page.
For this example, we'll design a blog header using the actual CMS fields. This approach automatically creates variables for you, saving you the hassle of setting up each one manually. If you create new dynamic content, you'll need to add new fields to your CMS collection items unless the content is static.
Connecting layers to CMS fields
With your design elements in place, it's time to link them to the CMS fields. If you've added new design elements, you'll need to manually link them.
Select a layer in your design, like a text layer for the date. In the properties panel's component section, you'll see a "+" icon next to the property name. Click on the plus, and a dropdown for CMS fields will appear. Choose the corresponding CMS field from the dropdown. Repeat this process for all relevant layers in your design.
Creating a component from your design
Once your design is linked to CMS fields, you can turn it into a component. Select all the layers that make up your design, right-click, and choose "Create Component" (or use the keyboard shortcut if you prefer). Give your new component a descriptive name.
Tip: To keep your layer panel organized, use the "/" symbol to group your components in framer.
Using your CMS linked component
Now your component is ready to use with dynamic CMS data. Drag it onto any CMS detail page for the same collection, and it will automatically populate with that page's CMS data. You can also use it in CMS collection lists for repeating content.
Tips for working with CMS linked components
When creating your component, consider which properties should be variable. Typically, Framer will automatically link these variables to CMS fields, providing flexibility for different contexts. It's also wise to set default values for your component properties, ensuring it looks good even when CMS data is missing or still loading.
Always test your component with various CMS entries to ensure it handles different content lengths and types correctly. This will save you headaches in the future.
Troubleshooting common issues
If your component shows "Missing" for CMS fields, ensure you're using it on a page connected to the correct CMS collection. Also, be mindful of text formatting in your CMS fields, as Framer treats plain text and formatted text differently, impacting how content appears in your component. Make sure you are outputting the correct variables that match the type of CMS fields.
Wrapping up
Linking Framer components to CMS fields is a powerful method for creating dynamic, data-driven designs. By starting your component design on a CMS detail page and then converting it into a reusable component, you enable Framer to automatically handle the connections between your design and the CMS data.
This approach streamlines your workflow and helps you build sophisticated, content-rich designs in Framer. With these techniques, you can create flexible components that automatically update with your CMS content, saving time and ensuring consistency across your Framer projects.
Be sure to check out our Framer components that work seamlessly with the CMS.
People found this article useful