How to build an interactive whiteboard in Bubble

To build an interactive whiteboard in Bubble, the simplest reliable method is to use a canvas‑based whiteboard plugin (like Paint & Draw Canvas or Whiteboard.js plugins) and then connect it with Bubble workflows to save the board as an image or store drawing data. Bubble cannot draw freehand natively with standard elements, so you need a plugin or a custom HTML canvas. After placing the canvas element, you expose plugin events (like “On drawing change”) to trigger workflows and store data in your database.

Core Structure

The whiteboard itself is a canvas element provided by a plugin or custom HTML. Bubble elements like Groups or Shapes cannot capture freehand drawing, so the canvas is required. You add UI controls (buttons, color pickers, sliders) using normal Bubble elements and send their values to the canvas using plugin actions or custom JavaScript.

• Canvas element = where the drawing happens.
• Controls = normal Bubble buttons (Undo, Clear, Color, Thickness).
• Workflows = save image, load previous state, clear board.

Step‑By‑Step

Add the plugin from Bubble Plugin Marketplace, drop the canvas onto the page, then create Bubble states for color, line width, or tool mode. Most canvas plugins support actions like “Set stroke color” or “Clear canvas”. Trigger these actions when user presses a button.

If you want to save the drawing, use the plugin action that returns the canvas as a Base64 image, then store it in a file field or image field in your Data Type.

// Example inside an HTML element if you're using your own canvas
const canvas = document.getElementById("whiteboard");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");

canvas.addEventListener("mousemove", (e)=>{
  if(e.buttons !== 1) return;
  ctx.lineTo(e.offsetX, e.offsetY);
  ctx.stroke();
});

Saving & Loading

To save: trigger a workflow using the plugin event “Export image” → store result in database. To load: when page loads, set the canvas background to the stored image. Many plugins include a “Load image onto canvas” action.

• Privacy rules: allow users to read their own whiteboard images.
• Autosave: run “Every X seconds” workflow that exports the canvas and updates the current whiteboard record.

Collaboration

Real‑time collaboration requires broadcasting drawing data. The easiest real method is Bubble’s built‑in Realtime features (if plugin supports exposing stroke events) or using a plugin that natively syncs drawing. Without that, you can only sync by saving the entire image repeatedly, which is slow. So for live collaboration, pick a plugin built for multi‑user sync.