How to Use the F and Sweet CMS Library for Webflow

Are you looking to enhance your Webflow website with dynamic sorting features for your CMS library? In this article, we will discuss how to utilize the F and Sweet CMS library to incorporate a sorting component into your Webflow project. This tutorial is designed for beginners and will cover the process of setting up sorting components for your CMS collections with step-by-step guidance. Let's get started with understanding the functionality and implementation of the F and Sweet CMS library for Webflow.

Introduction to F and Sweet CMS Library

The F and Sweet CMS library for Webflow provides a convenient tool for adding dynamic sorting options to your CMS collections. This allows you to create interactive and user-friendly experiences for your website visitors, particularly when presenting a list of items from your collection. Whether you want to sort items in ascending or descending order based on specific attributes, the F and Sweet CMS library offers a straightforward solution.

In this tutorial, we will focus on the sorting functionality offered by the F and Sweet CMS library, specifically covering examples 1 and 2 to understand the concept of sorting and its reverse order. We will also walk through the steps to set up and configure the sorting feature within the Webflow Designer and introduce the necessary code implementation for the sorting functionality.

Understanding Sorting and Reverse Sorting

Before diving into the setup process, let's clarify the concept of sorting and reverse sorting as demonstrated in both example 1 and example 2 within the F and Sweet CMS library. In example 1, the sorting is based on the project number, allowing for ascending and descending order. By clicking the sorting button, the order of items in the collection list is dynamically adjusted, providing a seamless user experience.

Similarly, in example 2, we encounter a pre-sorted grid displaying project numbers from 1 to 100. However, due to this initial sorting, the reverse sorting functionality is activated to ensure immediate interaction with the sorting feature, resulting in a noticeable change in the order of items upon clicking the sorting button.

Understanding these examples of sorting and reverse sorting is crucial as it forms the foundation for configuring the sorting functionality within your Webflow project using the F and Sweet CMS library.

Setting Up Sorting in Webflow Designer

Now that we understand the sorting behavior and its application, let's proceed to the Webflow Designer to set up the sorting feature for our collection list. The setup process involves defining specific classes and attributes to enable the sorting functionality within the Webflow environment.

Collection List Element Class

The first step involves adding a class to the collection list element, not the collection list wrapper. By assigning the class "collection-list" to the collection list element, we establish the target for the sorting functionality within the CMS collection.

Button Class and Data Attribute

Next, a class needs to be applied to the sorting button, identified as the "filter-button." This class is crucial as it serves as the trigger for initiating the sorting action when the button is clicked. Additionally, the button requires a data attribute called "sort by," where the value of the attribute corresponds to the class that will be used for sorting, such as "project" or "year."

By defining these classes and data attributes within the Webflow Designer, we establish the essential components for integrating the sorting functionality provided by the F and Sweet CMS library.

Implementing Custom Code for Sorting

Once the setup is complete within the Webflow Designer, we move on to the implementation of custom code to activate the sorting feature using the F and Sweet CMS library. The custom code contains specific scripts and configurations that enable the sorting functionality and its associated behavior within the Webflow project.

Adding F and Sweet CMS Library Script

To start, the F and Sweet CMS library script needs to be incorporated into the Webflow project. The script file, once available, should be included to enable the sorting capabilities offered by the library.

Project-Specific Script

Following the inclusion of the library script, the project-specific script is introduced to initialize the sorting functionality. This script involves creating a new instance of the F and Sweet CMS library and targeting it at the previously defined collection list element using the "collection-list" class. The new instance, referred to as "projects-grid," is then utilized to run the sort component on the collection list, thereby activating the sorting capabilities for the specified items.

Sorting Configuration Parameters

Within the project-specific script, various configuration parameters can be set to customize the sorting behavior. These parameters include:

• Sort Trigger: This refers to the class of the button or element that controls the sorting action. It specifies the trigger for executing the sort based on the assigned class. Additionally, it allows for the activation of sort reverse, determining whether the sorting should initially start in ascending or descending order.

• Sort Reverse: Setting this parameter to true initiates the reverse sorting functionality, enabling immediate interaction with the sorting feature, especially when the collection list is already sorted based on a specific attribute.

• Sort Active Class (Optional): This optional parameter defines the active class for the button, allowing customization of its appearance when active, such as adding a background color or visual indicator to denote the current sorting order.

• Animation Duration: By specifying the animation duration, the behavior of the sorting animation can be controlled. A duration of 0 is recommended, particularly when sorting items within the grid, as it provides a quick and clean sorting transition without unnecessary animation effects.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive tutorial, we have explored the functionality and setup process of the F and Sweet CMS library for Webflow, particularly focusing on the dynamic sorting capabilities it offers for CMS collections. By understanding the concept of sorting and its reverse order, setting up the sorting feature within the Webflow Designer, and implementing the necessary custom code, you can effectively integrate and enhance your Webflow project with interactive and intuitive sorting functionalities.

As you incorporate the sorting feature into your Webflow project, consider experimenting with different sorting attributes and configurations to create a seamless and engaging user experience for your website visitors. With the F and Sweet CMS library, you have the tools to elevate the presentation of your CMS collections and provide an enhanced browsing experience for your audience.