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Data Sources and Data Repeater

Data Sources and Data Repeaters work together to display dynamic, external data inside your on-site campaigns. Instead of manually creating content, you connect a data source (products, articles, top visitors, etc.) and let your campaign generate content automatically.

  • A Data Source is the connection to your data - a file, API, Google Sheet, or Triggerbee Leaderboard. Once created, it can be reused across multiple campaigns.

  • A Data Repeater is a campaign component that uses a Data Source and repeats a content block for each item in the data. One template can automatically render ten products, five articles, or your top visitors.

Typical workflow

  1. Create and test a Data Source in Assets --> Data Sources

  2. Add a Data Repeater to your campaign.

  3. Connect the Data Repeater to the Data Source.

  4. Design a single-item template using the source's properties.

Data Sources

Where to find Data Sources

Go to Assets → Data Sources. You'll see a table containing all existing data sources. From here, you can edit or delete existing data sources.

Creating a Data Source

Click Create new data source. Creating a data source consists of two steps:

Step 1: Choose a Data Source Type

Under Select from where you want to add data, choose one of the following types:

Type

Description

File URL

Import data from a publicly accessible file. Supported formats: JSON, XML, and CSV.

API (Advanced)

Import data from an API endpoint. Requires technical knowledge.

Google Sheets

Import data from a publicly accessible Google Sheet.

Leaderboard

Use a ranked list of visitors based on their scores. Leaderboard data is stored in Triggerbee.

You can change the type later using Change data source type.

Step 2: Configure and Test

Fill in the required fields for your selected type.

File URL

Field

Description

Data source name

Required.

URL to file

Required. Must be a valid http:// or https:// URL pointing to a publicly accessible file.

Skip header row

For CSV files. Enable if the first row contains column names rather than data.

Google Sheets

Field

Description

Data source name

Required.

URL to Google Sheets

Required. The sheet must be publicly accessible.

Use the following URL format:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/{sheetId}/edit

API (Advanced)

Field

Description

Data source name

Required.

URL to API

Required.

Authentication method

Choose one of the following methods:

Authentication options:

  • None

  • Bearer Token (requires a bearer token)

  • Basic (requires username and password)

Leaderboard

Field

Description

Data source name

Required.

No URL is required. The data is managed entirely within Triggerbee.

Testing a Data Source

Before saving, click Test data source.

Testing verifies:

  • The connection works

  • The data can be retrieved

  • Available properties can be identified

For example:

  • title

  • price

  • imageUrl

These appear under Identified properties together with their data type:

  • String

  • Number

  • Boolean

  • Array

  • Object

Important: A data source must be successfully tested before it can be saved.

If testing fails, you'll see: "Something went wrong. Review your data source information and try again."

Verify:

  • The URL is correct

  • The file format is supported

  • Authentication credentials are valid

Once testing succeeds, click:

  • Create data source (new source), or

  • Update data source (existing source)

Managing Data Sources

From the Data Sources table you can:

  • Edit a data source

  • Delete a data source

Note: A data source cannot be modified while it is connected to a running automation.

Data Repeaters

A Data Repeater is a campaign component that displays a repeating list of items from a Data Source.

Connecting a Data Source

In the Data Repeater settings panel:

  1. Open the Data Source dropdown.

  2. Select the desired source.

Data sources are grouped by type. Integration-based sources (such as product recommendation feeds) may also appear.

Create a Data Source from the Editor

If you don't have a data source yet, click:

+ Create new Data Source

This allows you to create one without leaving the editor.

Leaderboard Sources

Selecting a Leaderboard source automatically enables Leaderboard Mode.

Changing the data source resets:

  • Sorting

  • Item selections

Using Data in Content

Inside a Data Repeater, create a template using standard components such as:

  • Images

  • Text

  • Buttons

To populate a component with data from your data source, copy properties from the provided list, or add them manually with double curly braces:

{{title}}
{{price}}
{{imageUrl}}

Choosing Which Items to Display

Under Item selection, choose how items should be displayed.

Max Items

Show the first N items from the source. There will always be at least 1 item, but maximum the number you select.

Specific Items

Manually choose which items to display.

This opens a selection dialog where you can:

  • Filter by property

  • Search using Filter by value...

  • Select individual items

  • Reorder selected items

Use Reselect items to modify the selection later.

Note: Item selection is not available for Leaderboard or integration-based sources.

Sorting

Use the following settings:

  • Sort by – Select a property

  • Sort order – Ascending or Descending

Note: Sorting is not available for Leaderboard sources because leaderboard entries are already ranked by score.

Layout

Control how repeated items are displayed.

Direction

Choose one of:

  • Row (horizontal)

  • Column (vertical)

You can also adjust:

  • Spacing

  • Alignment

  • Padding

  • Other styling options

Mobile width and height can be configured separately for responsive layouts.

Carousel

Enable Carousel to display items in a sliding carousel instead of a static list, which is very useful for mobile devices! Use Items per view to control how many items are visible at the same time.

Preview

Use Preview Layout to show or hide repeated copies of your template while designing. This makes it easier to visualize how the final list will appear.

Example: Display Products from a Google Sheet

Suppose you want to display your three best-selling products in a popup.

1. Create a Data Source

Navigate to:

Resources → Data Sources → Create new data source

  • Select Google Sheets

  • Name it Top Products

  • Paste the sheet URL

  • Click Test data source

Verify that properties such as:

  • name

  • price

  • image

appear under Identified properties.

Save the data source.

2. Add a Data Repeater

In your campaign:

  1. Add a Data Repeater component.

  2. Select Top Products as the Data Source.

3. Build the Template

Inside the repeater:

  • Add an image using {{image}}

  • Add text using {{name}}

  • Add text using {{price}}

  • Add a button

4. Configure Item Selection

Set: Max items = 3

Optionally sort by price using Sort by.

5. Preview

Enable Preview Layout and verify that all three products render correctly.

Tips & Troubleshooting

"Data source must be tested before it can be saved."

Run Test data source after making any changes.

Invalid URL

The URL must:

  • Start with http:// or https://

  • Point to a publicly accessible resource

Google Sheets won't load

Verify that:

  • The sheet is publicly accessible

  • The URL follows this format: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/{sheetId}/edit

API source fails

Check:

  • The endpoint URL

  • The selected authentication method

  • Credentials or tokens

CSV columns appear incorrect

Enable Skip header row if the first row contains column names.

A property doesn't appear

Verify:

  • The property name is spelled correctly

  • You're using the exact name shown in the Properties panel

Remember that array properties are not supported as repeater values.

Can't edit a data source

A data source cannot be modified while it is connected to a running automation.

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