How to structure the database in Bubble

A good Bubble database structure is simple, uses separate Data Types for each “thing,” avoids stuffing everything into the User, and connects things with fields of type Thing or List of Things. If you can describe something as its own object in the real world, it usually deserves its own Data Type in Bubble.

Core Principles

The goal is to keep data modular, relational, and easy to query. Each Data Type should represent one kind of object (User, Project, Task, Message…). Then you connect them using fields. A field can be a simple value (text, number) or a reference (like “Project → User”). Bubble automatically manages those relationships.

• Create separate Data Types for Users, main objects, and repeating objects.
• Use relations instead of long text lists or custom states for storing structured data.
• Use lists only when the parent truly owns multiple items (e.g., Project has a list of Tasks).
• Avoid putting app logic data inside User unless it specifically belongs to that person.
• Name fields clearly so privacy rules and searches are easy to understand.

Example Structure (Project → Task → Comments)

This is a classic clean structure you can follow in almost any app:

• User
  • name (text)
  • email (built-in)
• Project
  • title (text)
  • owner (User)
  • tasks (list of Tasks)
• Task
  • title (text)
  • project (Project)
  • assigned\_to (User)
  • comments (list of Comments)
• Comment
  • body (text)
  • task (Task)
  • author (User)

Why This Works

Each item knows what it belongs to. For example, a Task knows its Project. This lets you do simple searches like:

Search for Tasks // constraint: project = Current Page Project

Bubble stores the relationship efficiently, and privacy rules stay readable because each Thing has a clear owner field.

Keeping your database clean like this makes workflows, repeating groups, API integrations, and privacy rules all work smoothly without confusion.