Is it possible to connect an external API to a Webflow website and have the data update automatically within specific divs?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Yes, it is possible to connect an external API to a Webflow website and have the data update automatically within specific divs. Webflow offers a feature called custom code embeds, which allows you to integrate external APIs into your site.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

  1. Obtain the API key and endpoints: Before starting, you will need the API key and the specific endpoints you want to use. Some APIs require authentication, so make sure to obtain and store the necessary credentials.

  2. Add a custom code embed: In the Webflow Designer, navigate to the page where you want to display the data. Click on the element (div) where you want the data to appear. In the settings panel on the right, scroll down and click the "Custom Code" field. Paste the relevant HTML markup for the div you want the data to populate. If needed, add a placeholder to provide initial content before the API data loads.

  3. Write JavaScript code: Once you have added the custom code embed, you can write JavaScript code to fetch the data from the API and update the content of the specified div. Inside the <script> tags of the custom code embed, use the fetch or XMLHttpRequest API to make the request to the external API. Process the received data and update the content of the div using JavaScript's DOM manipulation methods.

  4. Test and publish: Preview your site to test if the data is being fetched correctly and displayed within the specified div. If everything looks good, publish your site to make the changes live.

By following these steps, you can connect an external API to a Webflow website and have the data update automatically within specific divs.

Additional Questions:

  1. How do I obtain an API key for an external service in Webflow?
  2. Can I connect multiple APIs to a single Webflow website?
  3. Is it possible to pass dynamic data from a Webflow form to an external API?