How can I prevent all items in a Webflow collection from getting updated when I select either a PDF or URL for a specific item?
TL;DR
- Ensure each collection item has its own CMS fields for PDFs or URLs.
- Bind elements like buttons or links inside a Collection List directly to these CMS fields.
- Avoid using static elements or Symbols for shared content; use dynamic fields instead.
- Use Conditional Visibility to display elements only when the relevant CMS field has content.
You're likely experiencing unexpected updates to all collection items due to using a single-file field or control that's shared across CMS items via a Symbol or static element, instead of referencing item-specific CMS fields correctly.
1. Use Separate CMS Fields for Each Item
- Go to your Collection Settings and ensure you have individual CMS fields for:
- PDF File (File field)
- URL/Link (Link field or plain Text field)
- These fields should be per collection item, allowing every item (e.g., blog post, product) to store unique content.
2. Bind Elements to CMS Fields
- Inside a Collection List, select the element where you want the file or URL to appear, such as a Button, Link Block, or Text Link.
- In the Element Settings panel, use the "Get URL from" or "Get File from" option to bind the element directly to the correct CMS field.
- This ensures that each item pulls its own data, not shared content.
3. Avoid Static Content or Global Symbols
- If you've added a PDF or URL to an element outside of a Collection List, or used a Symbol, and then added a static file or link, that content will be the same across all pages or items.
- Instead, ensure the element is placed inside the Collection List and is dynamically linked to each item’s individual field.
4. Double-Check Conditional Visibility Settings
- Add Conditional Visibility to only show the link or PDF when the corresponding CMS field is not empty.
- Example: Show a “Download PDF” button only if the PDF field is set.
Summary
To avoid updating all collection items when setting a PDF or URL, make sure each file or link is tied to individual CMS fields, bound correctly inside a Collection List, and is not inserted via static elements or shared Symbols.