Can text entered in the Webflow CMS be automatically truncated once added to a page? For example, using the first 100 characters of a field as the snippet text on a directory page?
- Store full content in a CMS text field and link it to a text element.
- Use a custom JavaScript script with attributes like
data-truncateto truncate text to a set character count on page load. - Avoid relying on CSS
text-overflowfor precise truncation; use JavaScript orsubstringin code embeds instead.
Yes, Webflow CMS text can be automatically truncated on a page, but it requires a workaround since Webflow doesn’t support truncating character counts out-of-the-box through its Designer. Here’s how to do it.
1. Use CMS to Add Full Text
- In the Webflow CMS, use a Plain Text field or a Rich Text field to store the full content you want to display snippets from.
- Connect that field to a Text Block or Text Element on your Collection List item or dynamic page.
2. Add a Custom Attribute for Truncation (Optional Preparation)
- In the Designer, select the text element where you want the snippet to appear.
- Add a custom attribute to tag it for truncation logic later (example:
data-truncate="100"to indicate you want 100 characters).
3. Use Custom JavaScript to Truncate Characters
Since Webflow can't truncate by characters natively, add a small custom script in your Site Settings or on the Page Settings in the Before </body> tag section.
Example approach:
- On page load, use JavaScript to scan elements with a specific class or attribute.
- Truncate their innerText to the desired character length (e.g., 100 characters) using
textContent.slice(0, 100) + '…'.
Important: Webflow itself does not provide native character-based truncation; doing this with JavaScript is necessary for full control and consistent output.
4. Do Not Rely Solely on CSS Truncation
- CSS styles like
text-overflow: ellipsiscan visually truncate text but: - They require a fixed-width container (often unreliable across screen sizes).
- They don’t allow a precise character count—it’s based on visible space, not characters.
5. Alternative: Use substring in Custom Code Embed
- If rendering CMS content inside a Custom Code Embed, you could use inline JavaScript to truncate fields using a combination of
substring()and CMS field references like{{cms-field-name}}.
Summary
Webflow does not natively support truncating CMS text by a specific character count (e.g., 100 characters), but you can accomplish it using custom JavaScript targeting text elements post-render. Avoid relying on CSS text-overflow if you need a precise snippet length.