CMS: Differences Between Single Item and Multiple Item Collections

Manage your content for static pages by storing it in a collection with a single item. You can display this content by connecting page elements such as text, images, videos or buttons to fields in your collection.

Before you begin:

Make sure to add the CMS to your site.

Collections with a single item vs. multiple items

A collection with a single item is ideal for storing content suited for static pages. You can display this content on one or more pages of your site, keeping it separate from your page design. This separation is beneficial for collaboration, as it prevents accidental deletion or alteration of the content.

This type of collection does not use a table layout. Instead, you add fields to build the collection, similar to creating a form. A single-item collection is best for non-repeatable content, such as an 'About' page or a single element on your site, like a promotional banner in the header or footer.

To display your content, connect elements on your page to the fields in your collection. While both types of collections store content, they serve different purposes: a single-item collection contains one block of content and is suited for static pages, whereas a collection with multiple items can store large amounts of content for dynamic pages.

Click below to learn more differences between these collection types.

Single item collections

A collection with a single item contains one block of content made up of standard fields. This content can appear on one or more static pages of your website.

With a single-item collection, you can:

• Model your content into an easy-to-edit and shareable format, ideal for collaboration.

• Choose various page elements (e.g., text, images, videos, buttons) to include in the collection.

• Build your content as you would add fields to a form.

This collection type is best suited for non-repeatable content, such as an 'About' page or a single element on your site, like promotional banner on your homepage.

Multiple item collections (default)

A collection with multiple items can store large amounts of content, including both created content and submissions from site visitors.

Advantages of a multiple-item collection include:

• Greater flexibility with dynamic pages, allowing for more than 100 static pages.

• Content can be displayed in elements such as repeaters or tables.

• Well-suited for property listings, portfolios, recipes, and similar content.

• Features a familiar structure with items (rows) and fields (columns) for organizing your content.

Note:

Once you create a collection, it cannot be converted from single-item to multiple-item, or vice versa.

Limitations of a collection with a single item

Using a collection with a single item provides a safe and secure environment for storing content, making it an ideal solution for collaborating. There are, however, some limitations compared to collections storing multiple items.

While creating a collection with a single item:

• Once created, it can't be converted to a collection for multiple items.

• The Enable drafts setting can't be turned on, so you can't save changes as drafts, or use the 'Published' and 'Draft' statuses to control whether the item appears on your site.

While managing its content:

• The primary field parameter can't be applied to a field.

• You can't import content.

• Reference and multi-reference fields can't be created.

While connecting elements in the editor to data in a collection with a single item:

• Only the 'Read-Only' mode can be used for datasets.

• You can't hide, sort, or filter fields in your collection view.

• You can't connect user input elements in your editor.