Display Gravity Forms Entries on Frontend: Complete Guide

Ever wonder how to show your Gravity Forms entries to your website visitors? Maybe you want to create a public directory, showcase testimonials, or build a dynamic listings page. Whatever your goal, displaying form entries on the frontend opens up a world of possibilities for creating interactive, data-driven websites.

The challenge? Gravity Forms stores entries in the backend by default, hidden from public view. But with the right approach, you can transform your form data into engaging frontend displays that serve your users and grow your business.

This complete guide will walk you through every method to display Gravity Forms entries on your website’s frontend, from simple solutions to advanced custom implementations.

Why Display Gravity Forms Entries on Frontend?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” Displaying form entries publicly can transform your website from a static brochure into a dynamic platform that builds community and drives engagement.

Consider these powerful use cases:

• Public Directories: Transform business listing forms into searchable directories
• Testimonials & Reviews: Showcase customer feedback to build social proof
• Event Registrations: Display attendee lists to encourage more signups
• Job Boards: Convert job posting forms into public job listings
• Real Estate Listings: Turn property submission forms into browsable catalogs
• Portfolio Showcases: Display user-submitted work for contests or galleries
• Q&A Sections: Show frequently asked questions from your contact forms

Method 1: Using GravityView (Premium Solution)

GravityView is the most comprehensive solution for displaying Gravity Forms entries on the frontend. Think of it as the premium powerhouse that transforms your forms into fully functional directory sites.

What Makes GravityView Special?

Unlike basic display plugins, GravityView offers enterprise-level features:

• Pre-built layouts (Directory, Table, List, DataTables, Maps)
• Advanced filtering and search functionality
• User dashboard for entry management
• Frontend editing capabilities
• Conditional logic for display rules
• Custom field support

Setting Up GravityView

Getting started with GravityView involves these key steps:

1. Install and Activate: Purchase from GravityKit and install like any WordPress plugin
2. Create a View: Go to Views > New View in your WordPress admin
3. Choose Layout: Select from Directory, Table, List, or DataTables layouts
4. Select Form: Connect your existing Gravity Form to the view
5. Configure Fields: Drag and drop form fields into your layout zones
6. Set Permissions: Control who can see, edit, or delete entries
7. Publish: Embed your view using shortcodes or blocks

GravityView Layout	Best For	Key Features
Directory	Business listings, member directories	Grid layout, detailed single entry pages, search/filter
Table	Data comparison, spreadsheet-style display	Sortable columns, bulk actions, responsive design
List	Simple content display, news feeds	Clean vertical layout, easy customization
DataTables	Large datasets, advanced filtering	Pagination, advanced search, export options

GravityView Pricing and Licensing

GravityView uses a tiered pricing model:

• Personal ($59/year): 1 site, core layouts, basic support
• Professional ($129/year): 3 sites, all layouts, priority support
• Enterprise ($259/year): Unlimited sites, all extensions, white-label options

The investment pays off quickly if you need advanced functionality like frontend editing, user dashboards, or complex filtering systems.

Method 2: Gravity Forms Directory & Addons

Several specialized addons focus specifically on creating directories from Gravity Forms entries. These solutions offer middle-ground functionality between basic display and full GravityView features.

Gravity Forms Directory (by GravityWP)

The Gravity Forms Directory addon provides a streamlined approach to displaying entries. It excels at creating simple, effective directories without overwhelming configuration options.

Key features include:

• Responsive grid and list layouts
• Built-in search functionality
• Pagination for large datasets
• Custom field support
• Easy shortcode implementation

Other Directory Solutions

The WordPress ecosystem offers several alternatives:

• GF Entries in Excel: Export-focused with basic frontend display
• Display Gravity Forms Entries: Free plugin with limited customization
• Frontend Entries List: CodeCanyon solution with modern design

Solution	Price	Best Feature	Limitation
GravityView	$59-259/year	Complete frontend CMS	Higher learning curve
GravityWP Directory	$49/year	Simple setup, focused features	Limited customization
Display GF Entries (Free)	Free	No cost	Basic functionality only
Frontend Entries List	$25 one-time	Modern design, good value	No ongoing support

Method 3: Custom Code Solutions

For developers or those comfortable with code, creating custom solutions offers ultimate flexibility. This approach works especially well when you need specific functionality that existing plugins don’t provide.

Using Gravity Forms API

Gravity Forms provides a robust API for accessing entry data. Here’s a basic example of displaying entries using custom PHP:

function display_gravity_forms_entries($form_id) {
    // Get entries from specific form
    $entries = GFAPI::get_entries($form_id);
    
    if (empty($entries)) {
        return 'No entries found.';
    }
    
    $output = '<div class="gf-entries-display">'; foreach ($entries as $entry) { $output .= '
<div class="gf-entry">'; $output .= '
<h3>' . $entry['1'] . '</h3>
'; // Field ID 1 $output .= '
<p>' . $entry['2'] . '</p>
'; // Field ID 2 $output .= '</div>
'; } $output .= '</div>';
    
    return $output;
}

// Create shortcode
add_shortcode('display_gf_entries', function($atts) {
    $atts = shortcode_atts(array(
        'form_id' => '1'
    ), $atts);
    
    return display_gravity_forms_entries($atts['form_id']);
});

This basic implementation can be enhanced with:

• Pagination for large datasets
• Search and filtering capabilities
• Custom styling and layouts
• Security measures and sanitization
• Caching for better performance

Advanced Custom Implementation

For complex requirements, you might need advanced features like:

• AJAX-powered filtering: Real-time search without page reloads
• User-specific entry management: Allow users to edit their own submissions
• Multi-form aggregation: Combine entries from multiple forms
• Custom post type integration: Convert entries to WordPress posts
• API endpoints: Create REST API endpoints for external access

Here’s an example of creating an AJAX-powered search:

// AJAX handler for entry search
add_action('wp_ajax_search_gf_entries', 'handle_gf_entry_search');
add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_search_gf_entries', 'handle_gf_entry_search');

function handle_gf_entry_search() {
    $search_term = sanitize_text_field($_POST['search']);
    $form_id = intval($_POST['form_id']);
    
    $search_criteria = array(
        'field_filters' => array(
            array(
                'key' => '1', // Search in field 1
                'value' => $search_term,
                'operator' => 'contains'
            )
        )
    );
    
    $entries = GFAPI::get_entries($form_id, $search_criteria);
    
    // Return JSON response
    wp_send_json_success($entries);
}

Method 4: Integration with Page Builders

Modern page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder offer integration possibilities for displaying form entries. This approach combines visual design flexibility with dynamic content display.

Elementor Integration

If you’re using Elementor with Gravity Forms, you already have a solid foundation. Our guide on adding Gravity Forms to Elementor covers the basic integration, but displaying entries requires additional steps:

• Use Dynamic Content widgets with custom fields
• Install third-party addons like Essential Addons
• Create custom post types from form entries
• Use JetEngine for advanced dynamic content

Divi Integration

Divi users can leverage the Divi Gravity Forms plugin along with custom modules:

• Create custom Divi modules for entry display
• Use Divi’s dynamic content features
• Implement custom CSS for styling
• Add filtering and search functionality

[IMAGE: Split-screen comparison showing form entries displayed in different page builder interfaces with abstract design elements]

Choosing the Right Method for Your Needs

With multiple options available, selecting the right approach depends on your specific requirements, budget, and technical expertise. Let’s break down the decision-making process.

Budget Considerations

Your budget significantly impacts which solution works best:

• Free Solutions: Basic plugins and custom code
• Under $50: Single-purchase plugins from CodeCanyon
• $50-100: Annual subscriptions to specialized addons
• $100+: Premium solutions like GravityView with ongoing support

Technical Skill Requirements

Different methods require varying levels of technical expertise:

Skill Level	Recommended Solutions	Time Investment
Beginner	GravityView, Simple plugins	1-2 hours setup
Intermediate	Directory addons, Page builder integration	3-5 hours configuration
Advanced	Custom code, API implementation	10+ hours development
Developer	Full custom solutions, Advanced features	20+ hours for complex systems

Feature Requirements Matrix

Use this matrix to match your needs with the right solution:

• Need frontend editing? → GravityView or custom solution
• Want simple display only? → Basic directory plugins
• Require advanced filtering? → GravityView or custom code
• Need user dashboards? → GravityView exclusively
• Want complete customization? → Custom code approach
• Need quick setup? → Existing plugins over custom solutions

Advanced Features and Customizations

Once you have basic entry display working, you can enhance the functionality with advanced features that improve user experience and site performance.

Search and Filtering

Modern users expect to find information quickly. Implementing robust search and filtering keeps visitors engaged:

• Text Search: Allow users to search across multiple form fields
• Category Filters: Create dropdown filters for categorical data
• Date Range Filters: Enable filtering by submission dates
• Location-based Filtering: For directory sites with geographic data
• AJAX Implementation: Update results without page reloads

The search functionality becomes especially important as your entry database grows. Consider implementing faceted search for complex datasets.

Performance Optimization

Displaying large numbers of entries can impact site performance. Implement these optimizations:

• Pagination: Break large datasets into manageable pages
• Lazy Loading: Load entries as users scroll down
• Caching: Cache entry data to reduce database queries
• Image Optimization: Optimize uploaded images for web display
• Database Indexing: Add indexes to frequently searched fields

User Experience Enhancements

Small details make big differences in user satisfaction:

• Responsive Design: Ensure entries look good on all devices
• Loading States: Show loading indicators during AJAX operations
• Error Handling: Gracefully handle situations with no results
• Social Sharing: Add sharing buttons for individual entries
• Print Styles: Optimize entry pages for printing

[IMAGE: Modern interface mockup showing filtered search results with various UI elements in an abstract tech environment]

Security and Privacy Considerations

Displaying form entries publicly requires careful attention to security and privacy. Protecting user data isn’t just good practice—it’s often legally required.

Data Privacy Best Practices

Follow these guidelines to protect user privacy:

• Get Consent: Always inform users their submissions may be displayed publicly
• Sanitize Output: Clean all data before displaying to prevent XSS attacks
• Hide Sensitive Fields: Never display email addresses, phone numbers, or personal information without explicit permission
• Implement User Controls: Allow users to request removal of their entries
• Follow GDPR: Ensure compliance with data protection regulations

Security Measures

Protect your site and user data with these security practices:

• Validate Input: Always validate and sanitize user input
• Escape Output: Use WordPress functions like esc_html() and esc_url()
• Limit Access: Implement proper user role checks
• Rate Limiting: Prevent abuse of search and filtering features
• Regular Updates: Keep all plugins and WordPress core updated

GDPR Compliance

For European users, GDPR compliance is mandatory:

• Add privacy checkboxes to forms before public display
• Implement data deletion processes
• Provide clear privacy notices
• Allow users to update their displayed information
• Maintain records of consent

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best setup, you might encounter challenges. Here are solutions to common problems:

Entry Display Issues

Problem: Entries not showing up on frontend

Solutions:

• Check form ID matches your display settings
• Verify entries exist in the backend
• Confirm user permissions allow viewing
• Check for plugin conflicts
• Review error logs for PHP errors

Problem: Formatting looks broken

Solutions:

• Add custom CSS to fix styling conflicts
• Check theme compatibility
• Test with default WordPress theme
• Inspect HTML output for malformed markup

Performance Problems

Problem: Page loads slowly with many entries

Solutions:

• Implement pagination
• Add database caching
• Optimize database queries
• Consider using a CDN
• Reduce displayed fields per entry

Search and Filtering Issues

Problem: Search returns no results

Solutions:

• Check search field mapping
• Verify database field types
• Test search criteria logic
• Examine search query parameters

For more complex Gravity Forms troubleshooting, consider exploring our guide on using Gravity Forms as a relational database, which covers advanced data relationships and querying.

Future-Proofing Your Implementation

Technology evolves rapidly. Build your entry display system with the future in mind:

Scalability Planning

Design your system to handle growth:

• Choose solutions that support large datasets
• Plan for increased traffic and server load
• Consider database optimization from the start
• Build modular code that’s easy to extend
• Document your customizations thoroughly

Technology Considerations

Stay ahead of technological trends:

• Mobile-First Design: Prioritize mobile user experience
• Progressive Web App Features: Consider offline functionality
• API-First Approach: Build APIs for future integrations
• Headless Capabilities: Prepare for headless WordPress implementations
• Voice Search Optimization: Structure data for voice queries

Real-World Success Stories

Let’s examine how different organizations successfully implemented frontend entry display:

Local Business Directory

A chamber of commerce used GravityView to create a member directory:

• Challenge: 500+ businesses needed searchable public profiles
• Solution: GravityView Directory layout with advanced filtering
• Result: 300% increase in member profile views, better community engagement

Real Estate Showcase

A property management company built a custom solution:

• Challenge: Display property listings with map integration
• Solution: Custom code with Google Maps API integration
• Result: 40% faster property discovery, improved lead generation

Event Management Platform

A conference organizer created an attendee network:

• Challenge: Allow attendees to find and connect with each other
• Solution: Modified GravityView with custom user dashboard
• Result: 60% increase in networking connections, higher event satisfaction

Conclusion and Next Steps

Displaying Gravity Forms entries on your frontend transforms static forms into dynamic, interactive experiences. Whether you choose a premium solution like GravityView, opt for targeted plugins, or build custom functionality, the key is matching your solution to your specific needs and technical capabilities.

Remember these critical success factors:

• Start with clear objectives: Know what you want to achieve before selecting tools
• Prioritize user experience: Fast, searchable, mobile-friendly displays keep visitors engaged
• Plan for scale: Choose solutions that grow with your data and traffic
• Protect user privacy: Implement proper security and get appropriate consent
• Monitor performance: Regular monitoring prevents problems before they impact users

Ready to get started? Begin with a simple implementation using one of the solutions we’ve covered. As your needs evolve, you can always enhance functionality or migrate to more advanced options.

For ongoing optimization, consider implementing analytics to track how users interact with your displayed entries. Tools like our Form Analytics Pro (yes, that’s our own plugin—we use it ourselves!) can provide valuable insights into user behavior and help you refine your frontend displays for maximum effectiveness.

The future of web development is increasingly dynamic and user-centric. By implementing frontend entry display, you’re not just showing form data—you’re creating interactive experiences that serve your users and achieve your business goals. Start building today, and watch your static forms transform into powerful, engaging web applications.