How to loop through database things in Bubble workflows

The way you “loop” through a list of Things in Bubble is by using a Backend Workflow that is set to “Schedule API workflow on a list”, which automatically runs the same workflow once for each item in that list. Bubble does not have a traditional “for loop,” so this is the correct built‑in way to process many database Things.

How looping works in Bubble

Bubble does not let you run a repeating loop inside a normal workflow. Instead, you create a Backend Workflow with a parameter (for example, “item”) and then you tell Bubble to run this backend workflow on each thing in a list. Bubble internally creates one run per item.

• The backend workflow acts like your “loop body.”
• The “Schedule API workflow on a list” step acts like the loop iterator.
• You can modify each Thing inside the backend workflow because you receive it as the parameter.

Step-by-step

Create a Backend Workflow (in the Backend Workflows tab). Add a parameter like thing_to_process with a Type equal to your Data Type (e.g., Task). Inside that workflow, add the actions you want to perform on each Task.

Then, from any workflow, use Schedule API workflow on a list. For the “List to run on,” use a search like Search for Tasks (filtered however you need), and for the parameter, pass This Task (Bubble fills this automatically).

// Backend workflow parameter:
thing_to_process (type: Task)

// Inside backend workflow:
Make changes to thing_to_process  // Example: set status = "done"

// In triggering workflow:
Schedule API workflow on a list:
  API workflow: process_task
  List to run on: Search for Tasks
  thing_to_process = This Task

Extra practical notes

• Backend loops avoid timeouts because Bubble processes items asynchronously.
• If the list is huge, Bubble will throttle and queue runs automatically.
• Privacy rules still apply, so make sure the backend workflow has permission to read/write the data.