How to Add a Collection to a Page on Wix

Adding a collection to a page on your Wix website allows you to display dynamic content powered by your site's database. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for connecting and showcasing collection data on any page using Wix's Content Manager and Dataset tools.

Set Up the Wix Content Manager

Before adding a collection to your page, you must first create it in the Content Manager. This is where all your dynamic content lives and gets managed.

1. In the Wix Editor, click Content Manager from the left sidebar.
2. Select + New Collection and choose a preset or start from scratch.
3. Define your fields such as text, images, URLs, or dates.
4. Set permissions (e.g., site admins only or public).
5. Click Create Collection to finish setup.

Add and Configure a Dataset on the Page

After setting up your collection, the next step is to add a Dataset to your page. A Dataset acts as the middle layer that connects your page elements to the collection in your Content Manager. You must add it correctly for dynamic content to appear.

Add the dataset to the page. Open the page where you want to display collection data. From the left panel, go to Content Manager → Add to Page and select the collection you created. This will automatically place a Dataset on the page.

Locate the dataset panel. Once added, the Dataset appears as a floating toolbar or icon on the canvas. You can click it to configure options such as filtering, sorting, and permissions.

Select the mode of interaction. The Dataset can function in different modes:

• Read-only: Use this if you're just displaying content.
• Write-only: For forms that collect user input.
• Read & Write: When you want users to view and submit data in the same context.

Apply filters or sort options. You can control what records the Dataset shows by applying filters (e.g., only show featured items) or sorting rules (e.g., order by date).

Bind Collection Data to Page Elements

Once your Dataset is set, you can link it to page elements to show real-time content from your collection.

1. Select an element like text, image, button, etc.
2. Click the Connect to Data icon.
3. Choose the Dataset you configured.
4. Select which field to bind (e.g., title, image, link).
5. Repeat for all elements you want to connect.

Static vs Dynamic Pages in Wix

Wix offers both static and dynamic pages when working with collections. Understanding the difference helps you decide which setup to use.

Static pages: Regular pages with manually placed elements. Good for small or unchanging content.

Dynamic pages: Templates that automatically populate based on collection items. Ideal for blogs, product listings, team pages, etc.

Create a Dynamic Page Using a Collection

To build a scalable and automated content experience, dynamic pages are your go-to option.

1. In the Content Manager, click the 3-dot menu on your collection and select Generate Dynamic Pages.
2. Wix will create a dynamic page template and a corresponding URL structure (e.g., /projects/{title}).
3. Customize the layout, binding elements like in the previous section.
4. Use the All Items page to display a list, and the Item Page to show individual entries.

Customize How Collection Data Is Displayed

You can adjust how your content appears by using repeaters, tables, galleries, and more.

Use repeaters

• Drag a repeater to your page
• Connect it to the Dataset
• Bind internal elements to fields

Use galleries

• Great for image-heavy collections
• Bind images, captions, and links

Use tables

• Ideal for structured data
• Sortable and easier to read at scale

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your collection content isn't showing as expected, here are a few common issues to look out for:

• Dataset not connected: Ensure the Dataset is on the page and linked to your collection.
• Permission settings: Make sure the collection allows public read access if needed.
• Element binding missing: Confirm every element is connected to the Dataset and field.
• Wrong filters: A restrictive filter might be hiding results.

Useful Links

CMS: An Overview – Learn what the Wix CMS is and how it helps you manage dynamic content across your site.

Creating a Collection – Follow this guide to create and configure your first collection inside the Wix CMS.

Adding and Setting Up a Dataset – Learn how to add a Dataset to your page and connect it to a collection.

Displaying Collection Content on Your Page – This article explains how to bind elements to your Dataset and show live content.

Troubleshooting Collection Issues – Having trouble with your collection not showing? Start here to fix common issues.

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Conclusion

Adding a collection to a page on Wix opens up powerful options for displaying dynamic content. With the Content Manager, Datasets, and element binding, you can integrate database content seamlessly across your website. Whether you're building a team page, product gallery, or blog archive, understanding how Wix collections work gives you the flexibility to manage and scale your content easily.