How can I add new blog attributes to the Blog CMS Collection Settings in Webflow if the option is locked/grayed out?
TL;DR
- Unlink all dynamic content and CMS field references across pages and Collection Lists using the Blog collection.
- Add new fields in the CMS settings once available, then relink content and republish the site.
If the Add Field button is locked or grayed out in your Blog CMS Collection, it's likely due to the collection being in use by a template or dynamic content. Here's how to resolve it.
1. Understand Why the CMS Fields Are Locked
- CMS fields become locked when the collection is bound to a page or layout within your site.
- You cannot modify fields while Webflow thinks that changing them could break active content.
2. Temporarily Unlink Dynamic Content
- Go through all pages using the Blog collection (especially the Blog Template page).
- Remove or unlink any bound fields like Rich Text, Image, Slugs, or any dynamic data referencing CMS fields.
- Make sure no custom code embed is referencing these locked fields either.
3. Check Collection List Usage
- Use Collection Lists elsewhere on the site (Homepage, sidebar, etc.)—they can also lock fields.
- Unbind any connections to that CMS item temporarily from these lists.
4. Add New Fields
- Once unlinked, Go to CMS panel > Blog collection > Settings, and the Add Field button should become active.
- Add your new attribute fields (e.g., Tags, Author Bio, SEO Metadata).
- Save the collection, then go back and re-link fields where needed.
5. Republish the Site
- After adding and re-binding all fields, republish the site to reflect changes.
Summary
To add new fields to a locked CMS Collection in Webflow, unlink all dynamic references, then reattempt editing in the collection settings. Once fields are added, reconnect and republish to restore site functionality.