Add a Loading Indicator in Glide Apps: 2 Easy Methods

Why Add a Loading Indicator?

Before we dive into the methods, let’s take a moment to understand why adding a loading indicator is important.

1. Improved User Experience
   Users expect instant feedback when they interact with apps. If an app is slow to load or a feature takes too long to execute, users may feel unsure if something is happening at all. A loading indicator helps signal to users that the app is working on their request, improving their overall experience.

2. Reduced Perceived Wait Time
   The presence of a loading indicator can reduce the feeling of waiting. Even if the process takes the same amount of time, knowing that something is happening in the background can make the experience feel faster and smoother.

3. Professional Appearance
   A loading indicator adds a level of professionalism to your app. Users are more likely to trust an app that provides visible feedback, signaling that you’ve put thought into optimizing its functionality.

With these benefits in mind, let’s explore how you can easily add a loading indicator to your Glide app.

Method 1: The “Wait” Workflow

The first method involves using Glide’s built-in “Wait” action. This is a simple and effective way to show a loading spinner or indicator while your app processes or transitions between screens. The “Wait” action allows you to introduce a delay in the app’s workflow, making it easy to display a loading indicator for a brief period.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Set Up the Wait Action
   Start by creating a workflow or action in your Glide app. This could be when a user taps a button, navigates to a new screen, or submits a form.

2. Add the Wait Action
   After you define the trigger (e.g., button click), add the “Wait” action to your workflow. Glide lets you specify how long the app will pause. In this case, set a wait time of around 2-3 seconds. This is long enough to display the loading spinner, but not so long that it frustrates users.

3. Show a Loading Spinner
   Once the wait time is set, you can display a loading spinner or a loading indicator. To do this, you can place an image component (such as a GIF or a simple loading animation) on the screen. Ensure that the spinner is visible while the app processes the data.

4. Continue to the Next Action
   After the wait time ends, proceed with the next action in your workflow, like navigating to the next screen or displaying data. The loading indicator will automatically disappear after the wait time concludes.

Benefits of the Wait Workflow:

• Simple Implementation: This method doesn’t require any external APIs or complex integrations. Glide’s built-in features allow you to add delays and loading indicators with just a few clicks.

• Control: You can control how long the loading spinner is displayed, providing flexibility in managing user expectations.

• No Code Required: This method is entirely no-code, which means it’s perfect for Glide users who don’t have any programming experience.

Method 2: The “GIF” Technique

If you’re looking for a more creative approach to adding a loading indicator, the “GIF” technique might be the perfect solution. This method leverages Glide’s ability to display dynamic content by using a user-specific timestamp column and an image component to show a loading GIF.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Create a Timestamp Column
   In your Glide data editor, create a new column in your user table to store a timestamp. This column will be updated every time a user interacts with an element in the app that requires loading.

2. Add the Image Component
   Add an image component to the screen where you want to display the loading indicator. You can use a simple “loading GIF” that matches the aesthetic of your app. A common option is a spinning wheel, but you can choose any animation that fits your style.

3. Set the Visibility Condition
   The key to this method is controlling when the loading GIF appears. You will set a condition based on the timestamp column. Specifically, the GIF should only be visible if the timestamp is less than a specific value (e.g., 10 seconds). This condition ensures that the loading GIF only displays while the app is loading data or processing.

4. Control the Display Time
   When a user initiates an action, update the timestamp column. The image component will check the timestamp, and if it’s within the designated time range (e.g., 10 seconds), the loading GIF will appear. Once the data has finished loading, the timestamp will update, and the GIF will disappear automatically.

Benefits of the GIF Technique:

• Highly Customizable: You can choose any GIF or animation style that suits your app, creating a more personalized and unique loading experience.

• Smooth Transitions: This technique ensures a smooth user experience by displaying the GIF for the exact time it takes for the app to load or fetch data, without adding unnecessary delays.

• No Code: Similar to the Wait Workflow, the GIF Technique also uses Glide’s no-code features, making it easy to implement without external tools or APIs.

Comparing the Two Methods

Both methods have their advantages and can be used based on the specific needs of your app:

• The Wait Workflow is ideal when you want a simple delay between actions and can easily control the loading time.

• The GIF Technique is more suitable if you want to add a custom, branded experience to your app with a visually appealing loading indicator.

Depending on the complexity of your app and the level of customization you want, either method can work effectively to improve user experience and app performance.

Final Thoughts

Adding a loading indicator is a small but impactful enhancement that can drastically improve user experience in your Glide app. Both methods we’ve discussed—The “Wait” Workflow and The “GIF” Technique—are simple to implement and require no coding skills. Whether you prefer a straightforward spinner or a creative GIF, both options can help make your app smoother, more professional, and more engaging.

Remember, the key to great UX is communication. A loading indicator doesn’t just show that something is happening—it reassures users that their actions are being processed, improving their overall satisfaction.

If you want to learn more about Glide and how to make your apps even better, join the Glide School Community on Facebook. Share ideas, ask questions, and keep learning about how no-code tools like Glide can help you build powerful applications.

Stay tuned for more Glide tutorials, tips, and tricks to take your no-code development skills to the next level!