CMS (Formerly Content Manager): Elements and the Collection Fields they Can Connect To

4 min read
With the CMS (Content Management System), you can display content on your site by connecting it (or data binding it) to various elements. You can use basic elements like text boxes or images, as well as complex elements like repeaters.
The content in your collection is stored in fields. The collection field type must match your content type to connect to an element on your page. For example, a collection field in which you intend to store pictures, must have the 'image' field type.
The final step to getting the content in your field to display on your page, is connecting a dataset. A dataset is the link between the page elements and the content in your collection.
Before you begin:
Make sure you have added the following before connecting elements to collection fields:
In this article, learn about:

Elements, their connection options and what they can connect to

The following example shows an element and its connection options (highlighted in red). These connection options are for linking the element to content in your collection.
As you can see, for an image, the connection options are Image source, Alt text, Tooltip, and Link. These connection options are listed next to 'Image' in the table that follows, along with the appropriate field type that they can connect to.
A screenshot of the Connect Image panel where you connect an image to a dataset.
Notes:
Some items in the list can interact in a more dynamic way. For example, with a button, you can:
  • Set the 'click action' to trigger the 'Load more' or 'Next page' dataset action. 
  • Link to a dynamic page. 
  • Open a file, image, URL, video, or audio from a collection.
The first column of this table is a list of all the elements compatible with the CMS. In the second column, you can find the connection options for each element. The third column lists the field types the connection options can connect to. 
Items in the third column can be field types, dataset actions, or dynamic pages.
Elements
Connection Options
Connects to
Strip
Background
Image, video
Text
Text
Text, Number, URL, Boolean, Date and Time, Rich text, Address, Tags
Image
Image source
Image

Alt text
Text, Number, Date and Time, Address, Tags

Tooltip
Text, Number, Date and Time, Address, Tags

Link
Dataset actions, File, URL, Image, Video
Button
Click action 
Dataset actions, Dynamic Pages, File, URL, Image, Video, Audio, 

Label
Text, Number, Date and Time, Address, Tags
Gallery
Image source
Image

Titles
Text, Number, Date and Time, Address, Tags

Descriptions
Text, Number, Date and Time, Address, Tags

Links
Dynamic Pages, Fields
Decorative
Link
Dataset Actions, Dynamic Pages, Fields
Video
Video source
Video, URL
Music
Artist and track
Text, Address, Tags

Cover image
Image

Audio source
URL, Audio
Maps (in Contacts & Forms)
Location
Address

Title
Text, Address, Tags

Connecting elements to a collection field

This example shows you how to connect the connection options of an image on your page to the fields in your collection.

To connect an element to a collection field:

  1. Click the element on your page.
  2. Click the Connect to Data icon .
  3. Click the Connect a Dataset drop-down, and select the dataset. 
  4. Select the required field from each of the drop-downs under Connection Options. For images, the available options are:
    • Image source
    • Alt text
    • Tooltip
    • Link


User input elements and their connection fields

The CMS works with a variety of user input elements that let you capture, store, display, and edit visitor content in a collection. Using these elements, you can create your own forms or allow visitors to filter the content on your site.
The following is a list of the user input elements compatible with the CMS, and the field types that the connection options can connect to.
Input Element
Connection Options
Text Input
Text, Number, URL
Text Box
Text, Number, URL
Rich Text
Rich Text
Radio Buttons
Text, Number, URL, Date and Time
Checkboxes
Tags
Dropdown
Text, Number, Reference
Selection Tags
Tags
Date Picker
Date and Time
Time Picker
Time, Date and Time
Slider
Number
Upload Button
Image, File, Video, Audio, Media Gallery, Multi-Document
Ratings
Number
Address Input
Address
Switch
Boolean
Signature Input
Image
Tip: