API does not work with Custom Fields Created outside ACF

Srikanth Kamath
(@tskamath)

11 years ago

Hearing the Beautiful review etc, I purchased the Pro, when I want to use this plugin with already existing post, with existing custom fields, I am stumped..

Custom Fields is supported WP Core hence there will post with custom field created outside ACF.. using other plugins like eComm, etc

The Plugin does not make it clear that all its API will work only with the Custom Field Created using their Builtin ACF and not with all Custom Fields .. This for sure, is very very restrictive practices, must be documented and made clear.. in the description of the Plugin or Somewhere in the documentation of the plugin.

Sorry Guys you do have a good plugin for Sure.. But the Documentation is Another thing,,,

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

radgh
(@radgh)

11 years ago

I don’t understand what your issue is, it sounds like you want to replace functionality of another plugin with Advanced Custom Fields. This largely depends on the other plugin, if it serializes the custom fields then ACF won’t be able to play along (and that’s not ACF’s fault).

If you want to learn how the custom fields are stored, which is using a randomly named “field_key”, then you should read the documentation about update_field:

http://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/update_field/

Plugin Contributor Elliot Condon
(@elliotcondon)

10 years, 11 months ago

Hi @tskamath

I’m very confused by your comment.
there will post with custom field created outside ACF.. using other plugins like eComm, etc

What do you mean by this?

Perhaps you are referring to the get_field() and the_field() functions?
These functions will load any custom field value – created with ACF or manually saved to the wp_postmeta table.

Perhaps you should have a bit more of a play with the plugin before rating it with 1 star – a bit harsh mate.

Thanks
E

Thread Starter Srikanth Kamath
(@tskamath)

10 years, 11 months ago

@elliotcondon,

I have no issues with the plugin, its a well developed one and supported. Deserves better rating for sure, the documentation is all good for the features However, No where its made clear to the plugin users that “the Plugin will work only with CF created within the Plugin”.

I hope you get issue, before buying the ACF, People like me would have learnt and used the CF of wordpress and expect
a) All CF within ACF & Outside would work with ACF API / Shortcode / Function and if Not
b) as easy migration of these CF to ACF

Even a foot note or Warning anywhere in the documentation on the above would help the plugin Purchaser “Custom Field created outside ACF will have to migrated to ACF for using the API / Shortcode/ Function (Click to learn How)”

Plugin Contributor Elliot Condon
(@elliotcondon)

10 years, 11 months ago

Hi @tskamath

Again, you CAN use the ACF functions get_field / the_field to load ANY custom field value saved in the DB.

You say “the Plugin will work only with CF created within the Plugin” but this is not true. Perhaps you are referring to not the value, but the actual field groups (field settings)?

If so, then of course. Custom field groups are not a native WP element, so each custom field plugin will use a different way to create them. This is not possible to add compatibility with all existing custom field plugins.

Please provide a specific example so I can better help you.

You also say “Deserves better rating for sure” – then why have you rated the plugin 1 star?

I am very confused by your actions and comments.

Thanks
E

Thread Starter Srikanth Kamath
(@tskamath)

10 years, 11 months ago

Hi @elliotcondon,

thanks for the response, may be i will require some help.. I created a custom field outside the plugin (no group) check the snap shorts link One and link Two

How can i use get_field / the_field to get the value of my_cf..

Plugin Contributor Elliot Condon
(@elliotcondon)

10 years, 11 months ago

Have you tried:

<p><?php the_field('my_cf'); ?></p>

Please read up on the basic custom field documentation if you do not wish to use the ACF interface:
https://codex.ww.wp.xz.cn/Custom_Fields

I think you have assumed that WP provides nice interfaces for cusotm fields. They don’t.

This is why ACF exists.

I hope you change your 1 start rating, it is very hurtful.

Thanks
E

Thread Starter Srikanth Kamath
(@tskamath)

10 years, 11 months ago

@elliotcondon,

Trust me, I have read and used the examples, somewhere while reading the reviews & documentation of ACF, I understood that the “get_field / the_field can be used get the value of my_cf”.

I have not tried “the_field”, shall revert once i have tried it.

I have changed the rating, I have no intention to hurt.. but I wanted people to read on the issue, Like i read 4 & 1 to check the plugins..

I would suggest that in the documentation on the function of ACF, pls do mention about how to use them on Custom_Fields., It wil help

Plugin Contributor Elliot Condon
(@elliotcondon)

10 years, 11 months ago

Hi @tskamath

What do you mean by:
I would suggest that in the documentation on the function of ACF, pls do mention about how to use them on Custom_Fields., It wil help

I have plenty of documentation which all clearly explains how to load and display values.

Can you please clearly explain what is and isn’t working with your ACF setup?

I am happy to help, bu you seem to only accuse the plugin of not ‘working’ without actually explaining what isn’t ‘working’.

ACF is a very simple tool to create custom field interfaces, save and load data. There is not much which can go wrong, and so far from your screenshot I can see that you are not using ACF correctly. Perhaps you could read the getting started chapter more thoroughly?

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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