Randomize Webflow CMS Items: Enhance User Experience with Dynamic Sorting

Published on
December 17, 2022

Randomize Webflow CMS Items with Webflow's Randomizer Powerup

In this tutorial, we will explore how to randomize Webflow CMS items so that they appear in a different order each time the page loads. To accomplish this, we will utilize the Randomizer power-up, which can be found in the Webflow marketplace.

Before we begin, you will need to copy the provided code and add it to the before body tag of your page or project settings. This will enable us to apply the necessary attributes to achieve the randomization effect.

Setting Up the Randomizer Element

The first step is to define the component that should contain all the elements related to this instance. We can achieve this by giving it an attribute name of TR randomizer element and a value of component.

<!-- Example of the attribute applied to a section in the HTML --><section TR-randomizer-element="component">    <!-- Elements related to this component go here --></section>

After adding this attribute to our designated section in the HTML, we can proceed to include all the elements that make up this component.

Randomizing the Collection Lists

Within the designated section, we can have multiple collection lists. For the first collection list that we want to randomize, we will assign the attribute TR randomizer element with a value of list main.

<!-- Example of the attribute applied to a collection list in the HTML --><div TR-randomizer-element="list-main">    <!-- Items to be randomized go here --></div>

Similarly, if there is a secondary list that should match the sorting order of the first list, we would apply the attribute TR randomizer element with a value of list other to it.

<!-- Example of the attribute applied to another collection list in the HTML --><div TR-randomizer-element="list-other">    <!-- Items to be matched with the sorting order go here --></div>

You can have as many additional lists as needed, and they can all be included within the same section.

Implementing Trigger Events

If you want to trigger the randomization not only on page load but also on user interactions such as click or hover, the Randomizer power-up provides this capability. For example, if you want to trigger the randomization on a button click, you would add the attribute TR randomizer element with a value of trigger-click to the button.

<!-- Example of the attribute applied to a button in the HTML --><button TR-randomizer-element="trigger-click">Randomize Order</button>

Once the attributes have been applied, you can publish the changes and test the randomization effect. You will notice that the order of the randomized items differs each time the page loads. Additionally, if trigger events have been implemented, you can actively trigger the randomization by clicking the designated buttons.

It's important to note that each instance of randomization and trigger events will only affect the elements within the specific section to which the attributes have been applied.

In conclusion, this is how you can set up random sorting orders for collection items in Webflow using the Randomizer power-up. By incorporating these techniques, you can enhance the user experience by presenting CMS items in a dynamic and engaging manner.

Conclusion

By implementing the Randomizer power-up in Webflow, you can create engaging and dynamic user experiences by randomizing the order of CMS items on your website. This not only adds an element of surprise for the visitors but also provides a fresh perspective each time the page is loaded. With the ability to include trigger events like clicks or hovers, you can further enhance the interaction, making the content more interactive and interesting for users. Next time you're working on a Webflow project and want to add a touch of unpredictability to your CMS items, consider utilizing the Randomizer power-up to achieve randomized sorting orders effortlessly.