How can I unlink and relink CMS elements in Webflow, specifically the current CMS category, and bind it to a new one?
TL;DR
- Unlink the existing CMS binding from elements or collection lists via the Element Settings panel.
- Link the elements to the new CMS collection, rebinding fields and updating filters, references, and URLs as needed.
To relink a CMS element (like a collection list or dynamic text) to a new CMS category or collection, you must first break its current binding. Then you can connect it to a new CMS collection or field.
1. Unlink the Current CMS Binding
- Select the element (e.g. a text block, image, or link) that's bound to the CMS.
- In the Element Settings (gear icon on the right), look for anything labeled with purple — these are CMS-bound.
- Click on the purple binding label (e.g., “Get text from Category”) and choose “Remove binding” or manually delete the value.
- If it's a Collection List, select the Collection List Wrapper and from the Settings Panel, click on the bound Collection name, then press “Remove Collection”.
2. Relink to the New CMS Category
- Make sure the new CMS Collection (or category) exists in the CMS panel.
- Select the element again (e.g., a Collection List, Heading, Image, etc).
- If it's a Collection List, click Add Collection in the right panel and choose your new category collection.
- Inside a bound Collection List, rebind individual elements by:
- Clicking on an element (e.g., a text block),
- Choosing “Get text from [New Collection]”,
- Selecting the appropriate field (e.g., Name, Image, etc).
3. Update Filters and References (if Needed)
- If your old binding involved a filtered view (like showing current category), reapply the filter:
- Select the Collection List,
- Go to Element Settings > Filter,
- Set: “Category is Current Category”.
- If the collection reference changed (for example, switching from one reference field to another), update any component referencing that field.
4. Check Your URLs and Links
- If you're using Collection Pages (e.g. a category template page), ensure elements pulling “Current Category” content are now correctly pulling from the new collection.
- Update link fields or Page Settings if needed.
Summary
To reconnect CMS elements to a new category, first remove all current bindings, then relink them to the new CMS collection and update any filters or reference fields. This approach ensures clean data binding and prevents display issues.