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Want to let your users easily import data from spreadsheets directly into your Bubble application? Impler provides a smooth, user-friendly data import experience. This guide will walk you through inte
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Want to let your users easily import data from spreadsheets directly into your Bubble application? Impler provides a smooth, user-friendly data import experience. This guide will walk you through inte
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Before You Start: Prerequisites
First, we need to set up the data structure in Bubble and enable the API for Impler to connect.
Go to Data Tab: In your Bubble editor, navigate to the "Data" tab.
Select Data Types: Ensure you have the "Data types" sub-tab selected.
Define/Verify Your Data Type:
Identify the Data Type you want to import data into (e.g., Employees, Products, Contacts).
Make sure this Data Type has all the necessary fields you want to import (e.g., Full Name (text), Email (text), Date of Birth (date), Social Security Number (text)). Create any missing fields using the "Create a new field" button.
Crucially: This Data Type must be set to Publicly visible. Impler needs this permission to see the structure. Check the privacy rules for this data type if needed, but the type definition itself needs to be discoverable.
Go to Settings Tab: Navigate to the Settings tab in your Bubble editor.
Go to API Sub-Tab: Click on the API sub-tab.
Enable Data API: Scroll down to the Public API endpoints section. Check the box labeled Enable Data API.
Expose Your Data Type: In the list below Enable Data API, find the Data Type you prepared in Step 1.1 (e.g., Employees) and check the box next to it. This allows API access specifically for this data type.
Generate API Private Key: Scroll further down to "API Tokens".
Enter a descriptive label for your key (e.g., "Impler Key").
Click "Generate a new API token".
Bubble will generate a Private key. Copy this key immediately and save it somewhere secure. You will need it shortly, and Bubble won't show it to you again.
Now, let's configure Impler to receive data and send it to your Bubble app.
Create New Import: Click the Create Import button.
Name Your Import: Give it a clear name (e.g., "Bubble Employees Import") and click Create & Continue
Go to Destination Tab: Inside your newly created import, click on the Destination tab.
Enable Bubble.io: Find the "Bubble.io" option and toggle it ON.
Fill in Bubble App Details:
Bubble App Name: Enter the name of your Bubble app. This is the part before .bubbleapps.io in your app's URL (e.g., if your app is mycoolapp.bubbleapps.io, enter mycoolapp).
Environment: Choose production (for your live app) or development (for your test version).
Custom Domain Name (Optional): If your app uses a custom domain (e.g., app.mycompany.com), enter it here. Otherwise, leave it blank.
API Private Key: Paste the Private key you generated and saved from Bubble (Step 1.2).
Datatype Name: Enter the exact name of the Bubble Data Type you prepared (e.g., Employees). Case-sensitivity might matter, so match it precisely.
Test and Save: Click "Test and Save". Impler will attempt to connect to your Bubble app using the details provided. Fix any errors if they occur.
Click "Map Columns": After saving the destination, click the "Map Columns" button (often located near the Bubble.io destination settings).
Auto-Mapping: Impler will attempt to automatically detect the fields from your Bubble Data Type and map them. Review the mappings to ensure they look correct. You can typically adjust these mappings later in the main Impler schema editor if needed.
Let's add the importer interface to your Bubble app.
Go to Plugins Tab: In your Bubble editor, go to the "Plugins" tab.
Add Plugins: Click the "+ Add plugins" button.
Search: Search for "CSV Excel Import Plugin Impler".
Install: Find the correct plugin and click "Install", then "Done".
Go to Design Tab: Navigate to the page where you want the import button/functionality.
Find Impler Element: In the "Visual Elements" section on the left panel, find "CSVExcelImporter" (the name might vary slightly based on the plugin version).
Drag onto Page: Drag and drop this element onto your page. Note: This element is usually invisible to the end-user; it just provides the necessary functions. You can place it anywhere, even outside the visible page area if you prefer.
Click Integrate: Find and click the Integrate button (in the top-right of your Importer).
Copy Credentials: A modal or section will appear showing:
projectId
templateId
accessToken
Copy these three values.
Select Impler Element: Back in your Bubble editor (Design tab), double-click the CSVExcelImporter element you added in Step 3.2 to open its properties editor.
Paste Credentials: Paste the projectId, templateId, and accessToken you copied from Impler into the corresponding fields in the element's properties panel.
We need to tell the Impler element to get ready when the page loads.
Go to the Workflow Tab: In your Bubble editor, switch to the "Workflow" tab.
Create Page Load Event: Click "Click here to add an event..." and choose "General" -> "Page is loaded".
Add Initialize Action: Click "Click here to add an action...", choose "Element Actions" -> "Initialize Importer" (the action name might vary slightly, select the one related to your CSVExcelImporter element).
Select Element: In the action properties, make sure the correct CSVExcelImporter element is selected.
Users need a way to open the importer, typically via a button.
Add a Button: Go back to the "Design" tab and add a standard Bubble Button element to your page. Label it something like "Import Data" or "Upload CSV".
Add Button Workflow: Select the button and click "Start/Edit workflow".
Add Open Widget Action: Click "Click here to add an action...", choose "Element Actions" -> "Open Import Widget" (again, select the action associated with your CSVExcelImporter element).
Select Element: Ensure the correct CSVExcelImporter element is selected in the action properties.
You're ready to test! Preview your Bubble page. Clicking the "Import Data" button should now open the Impler import widget, ready for your users to upload their files.
If you want to link the imported data to the specific Bubble user who uploaded it (e.g., storing the user on each imported Employee record):
In Bubble (Plugin Element):
Select the CSVExcelImporter element in the Design tab.
In its properties, find the User Id field.
Use Bubble's dynamic data capabilities to insert the relevant user ID. This is often Current User's unique id.
In Impler (Destination Output):
Go to your Impler project settings -> Destination tab.
Find the output schema or transformation settings (this might look like a code editor).
You need to tell Impler to include the User ID it receives from the plugin. Add a field mapping like this: "user": "{extra.userId}" (or potentially "Creator": "{extra.userId}" if your Bubble field is named Creator and is of type User). The exact syntax might depend on Impler's current interface, but the principle is to map the incoming extra.userId to the correct Bubble User field. Important: The field name on the left (user or Creator) MUST match the field name in your Bubble Data Type that holds the user information.
In Bubble (Plugin Element):
Select the CSVExcelImporter element in the Design tab.
In its properties, find the Primary Color field.
Set a hex color code (e.g., #FF0000 for red) to customize the theme of the Impler widget to match your app's branding.
That's it! You've now integrated the Impler data importer into your Bubble application. Your users can now benefit from a streamlined way to upload data via CSV or Excel files. Remember to test thoroughly with different file types and data variations.
Log in to Impler: Go to and log in.
Go Back to Impler: Return to your Impler project () and open the importer.
Integrate to open the integration modalProjectId, TemplateId and Access Token
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments. Feel free to reach out to us over . We’re constantly improving to deliver the best Data Importer for your product, and we value your input.