This last set of Glide Tips is all about Components. What is a Component in Glide?
Components are elements of your app’s screen that let users interact with your data in some way. You can use them to add abilities to your app such as checkboxes, buttons, image uploading, links, barcode scanners, maps, and even signatures.
Knowing more about the broad range of components you can use to design your user interface will give you the ability to add useful features for your users. They’ll be able to do more with your apps, more easily. They can sign agreements, check off tasks in a list, choose a date for a completed order, watch a video, make voice memos, locate a store on a map, and much more.
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40. Allow multiple selections in Forms, stored as comma-separated values
You can configure the Choice Component in Forms to let users select more than one option. Their selections will be saved in your data source as a comma-separated value, which you can then use to filter lists that match any of the chosen items.
41. Set default values in Choice Components inside Forms
When you add a Choice Component to a Form, you can set a default value that pre-populates the field when the Form is opened. This saves users time and helps guide them toward a likely selection.
Read about the Choice Component
42. Group data in Collections for clearer organization
You can group the data in your Collection based on a specific column in your source. In the Group section, choose the column to group your items by. This helps organize long lists into meaningful categories and makes large datasets easier for users to navigate.
Read about the Collections Component
43. Use Additional Columns in Contact Forms to capture context automatically
Any unassigned columns in your Target Table can be used as Additional Columns in a Contact Form. These automatically capture details from the current screen or the User Profile table, (for example, the page title where the form was submitted) so you get valuable context without asking users to fill it in manually.
Read about the Contact Form Component
44. Apply a single visibility condition to multiple components with Containers
Instead of repeating the same condition on several components, place them inside a Container and apply one visibility rule to the Container. This simplifies your setup and ensures consistent behavior for grouped elements.
45. Create side-by-side layouts using Container columns
The Container component lets you arrange components in multiple columns. For example, choosing a two-column layout allows you to place elements side-by-side, creating more compact and visually organized designs.
Read about the Container Component
46. Set default values in Entry components within Forms
When you use an Entry component in a Form Screen, you can designate a Default Value. This lets the field pre-fill automatically with a value from the current screen, reducing manual input and guiding users toward the right data.
Read about the Entry Component
47. Enable multiple image uploads with a Multiple Images column
To let users upload more than one image at a time, first create a Multiple Images column in the Data Editor. When this column is used with the Image Picker, the component automatically allows multiple uploads. This setup only works with Glide Tables or Big Tables.
Read about the File and Image Picker Component
48. Add actions to Hints for interactive guidance
The Hint component doesn’t just highlight important text. You can also attach an Action or Workflow to it. This turns a Hint into a clickable element that guides users while letting them take the next step immediately.
Read about the Hint Component
49. Store user-submitted coordinates with the Location component
The Location component captures a one-time set of coordinates and saves them to your chosen column. This is especially useful in Form screens, where submissions can later be plotted on a map with the Map component.
Read about the Location Component
50. Trigger actions when users click pins on a Map
By default, selecting a pin on a Map component opens a Detail Screen. You can replace this with any other action, like opening a link or sending data to another workflow. This makes maps interactive beyond simple location display.
Read about the Map Component
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51. Paste URLs to create hyperlinks
The Notes component does not support Markdown link syntax. To add a link, highlight the text you want to link, then paste the URL. The text will automatically convert into a hyperlink.
Read about the Notes Component
52. Create dynamic Progress Bars with column-based limits
Instead of fixed values, you can tie the minimum and maximum fields of a Progress Bar to columns in your data source. The progress bar will update automatically as those values change, making it responsive to real-time data.
53. Keep the camera on for rapid barcode scanning
Use the Scanner component when you need to scan multiple barcodes quickly. It keeps the camera active between scans, saving users time compared to triggering the camera separately for each code.
54. Trigger workflows automatically with each scan
The Scanner component lets you attach an action or workflow that runs after every scan. For example, you can instantly validate a product code, update inventory, or log attendance as soon as a barcode is scanned.
Read about the Scanner Component
55. Add spacing or visual breaks with the Separator component
The Separator component lets you add vertical space between elements, with options for small, medium, or large spacing. You can also enable a visible line to emphasize divisions between sections of your app.
Read about the Container Component
56. Capture handwritten approvals with the Signature component
The Signature component generates an image file of the user’s signature and saves its link to your Data Source. For unique, user-specific signatures, store them in a User-specific Column so each person’s input is tracked individually.
Read about the Signature Component
57. Organize content with the Tabs Container component
The Tabs Container lets you group components into separate tabs, so users can switch between them within a single interface. You can customize each tab with a name, display name, icon, and badge, and even set visibility conditions for individual tabs.
58. Save video progress to your data table
The Video component can track how far a user has watched and store that progress in your data table. This is useful for training apps or courses where you want to know whether users have completed a video.
Read about the Tabs Container Component
59. Capture speech-to-text with the Voice Transcription component
The Voice Transcription component records audio and instantly converts it into text stored in your data source. This is especially useful for fieldwork, interviews, or reports where typing is impractical.
Read about the Voice Transcription Component
What else do you want to learn about Glide?
These 59 tips for using Glide will give you a solid foundation for building powerful and flexible apps of all kinds. If you want to keep learning in a more structured way, try taking the Glide Certification courses. There, you can prove your mastery of the basics with Level 1-3 or tackle more in-depth courses on automation and artificial intelligence with the Intelligent Automation Certification.
Keep reading the blog for more guides to help you level up your no-code skills in Glide.
