Trouble using Drag & Drop Repeating Group plugin with API connector response

[Aki]

Hello,
I’m trying to use the Drag & Drop Repeating Group Plugin to sort items in a Repeating Group.

However, I’m not using Bubble’s built-in database — the data source comes from an API response defined in the API Connector, so the data type is based on the API schema.

The drag-and-drop sorting works visually, but the problem is that “Sorted Items” is always empty after the sort. I’m unable to retrieve the updated order of items.

Does this plugin not support API-based data types?
Or, if there’s any other plugin that allows sorting of Repeating Group items sourced from an API response, I would appreciate your recommendation.

Thank you!

[constantin.raicovici]

Hello @Aki ,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Drag & Drop Repeating Group Plugin.

The plugin is designed for data sources from Bubble’s database and does not support API-based data types, which explains why “Sorted Items” remains empty after sorting.

We recommend checking our Sortable RG - Drag & Drop Plugin as an alternative, which allows reordering and saving changes, potentially adaptable for API-sourced lists via client-side states. For details, feel free to check the plugin documentation and the demo editor.

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Best regards,
Support Team
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[Aki]

Thank you for your response.
I gave the SortableRG plugin a try instead. However, after sorting, when I check the RG new order, it returns what looks like a string of text, and I can’t tell which item corresponds to which data. Also, the “Sorted things items” is coming back as empty.

For your reference, please see the screenshot for my editor settings:

• In the “Repeating Group ID” field, I’ve set the same ID as the target Repeating Group.
• In the “Settings for sorted things items state,” I’ve specified the correct data type (based on the API response) and assigned the Repeating Group’s data source to the “List of items” field.
  
  

The drag-and-drop action inside the Repeating Group itself is working properly, so I believe the ID is set correctly.

I’d appreciate your help on this — thank you!

[constantin.raicovici]

Hi @Aki,

Thanks again for the detailed follow-up and screenshots - much appreciated!

Given that you’re using the Sortable RG Drag & Drop plugin, and the drag-and-drop functionality itself is working correctly, the issue with the “Sorted things items” state returning empty could be caused by how the plugin interprets the RG’s data source.

Here are a few key things to double-check:

1. Items Type: This must exactly match the type of things in your Repeating Group. If your RG is displaying items from an API response or nested data structure, the plugin may not be able to correctly reference them. Native Bubble data types work best.
2. List of Items: Ensure this is a well-defined list (ideally from Bubble’s DB) and not a dynamic search or an external API response. If needed, save the list in a custom state and use that both in the RG and the plugin’s setup.
3. Sorted things items: This field should populate with a list of Things (not just IDs or strings) after reordering. If it’s showing empty or as a string blob, the plugin likely isn’t able to map the reordered list back to Bubble Things.

You can also refer to our documentation and editor setup example here:

• Docs
• Demo Editor

Please let us know how it goes and feel free to share more details - always happy to help!

Best regards,
Support Team
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