Re-ordering ACF Flexible Content Fields in WordPress, not by order in PHP file?

The Struggle is Real!

Are you tired of dealing with the hassle of re-ordering ACF Flexible Content Fields in WordPress? You’re not alone! Many developers and users alike have faced the frustration of trying to re-arrange these fields in a specific order, only to find that it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of ACF Flexible Content Fields and explore the best ways to re-order them without having to rely on the order in which they’re defined in your PHP file.

What are ACF Flexible Content Fields?

Before we dive into the meat of the article, let’s take a quick detour to explain what ACF Flexible Content Fields are.

ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) is a popular WordPress plugin that allows developers to create custom fields for their WordPress site. One of the most powerful features of ACF is the Flexible Content Field, which enables you to create repeatable fields that can be arranged in a specific order.

Flexible Content Fields are commonly used for creating complex layouts, such as hero sections, feature sections, or even entire page templates. They’re incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of scenarios.

The Problem: Order of Flexible Content Fields

Here’s the thing: when you define your Flexible Content Fields in your PHP file, they’re inherently tied to the order in which they’re defined. This can be a real pain when you want to re-order them, as you’ll need to update the order in your PHP file, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.

But what if you want to re-order your Flexible Content Fields without having to touch your PHP file? Maybe you want to give your clients more flexibility in the WordPress backend, or perhaps you want to create a more dynamic layout that changes depending on certain conditions. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered!

Solution 1: Using the `acf/flexible_content/layout` Filter

One way to re-order your Flexible Content Fields is by using the `acf/flexible_content/layout` filter. This filter allows you to modify the layout of your Flexible Content Fields before they’re rendered on the frontend.

To use this filter, you’ll need to add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file:

function reorder_acf_flexible_content_layout($layout, $field) {
  // Re-order the layout array here
  $new_layout = array();
  foreach ($layout as $row) {
    // For example, let's move the "heading" field to the top
    if ($row['acf_fc_layout'] == 'heading') {
      array_unshift($new_layout, $row);
    } else {
      $new_layout[] = $row;
    }
  }
  return $new_layout;
}
add_filter('acf/flexible_content/layout', 'reorder_acf_flexible_content_layout', 10, 2);

In this example, we’re using the `array_unshift` function to move the “heading” field to the top of the layout array. You can modify this code to suit your specific needs.

Solution 2: Using a Custom ACF Add-on

Another way to re-order your Flexible Content Fields is by using a custom ACF add-on. There are several add-ons available that provide this functionality, such as ACF Repeater and Flexible Content or ACF Flexible Content Reorder.

These add-ons usually provide a intuitive interface for re-ordering your Flexible Content Fields, either through a drag-and-drop interface or by using a numerical order system.

Here’s an example of how you might use the ACF Repeater and Flexible Content add-on:

function reorder_acf_flexible_content() {
  // Get the flexible content field
  $field = get_field('flexible_content_field');
  // Re-order the field using the add-on's API
  $field = acf_repeater_reorder($field, 'new_order');
  // Update the field
  update_field('flexible_content_field', $field);
}
add_action('acf/save_post', 'reorder_acf_flexible_content');

In this example, we’re using the `acf_repeater_reorder` function provided by the add-on to re-order the Flexible Content Field. You’ll need to check the add-on’s documentation for specific usage instructions.

Solution 3: Using a Custom WordPress Plugin

If you’re comfortable with building custom WordPress plugins, you can create your own plugin to re-order Flexible Content Fields. This approach requires more development expertise, but it gives you complete control over the functionality.

Here’s an example of how you might create a custom plugin to re-order Flexible Content Fields:

// Create a new plugin class
class ACF_Flexible_Content_Reorder {
  public function __construct() {
    // Add a new menu item to the WordPress admin
    add_action('admin_menu', array($this, 'add_menu_item'));
    // Add a new settings page to the WordPress admin
    add_action('admin_init', array($this, 'add_settings_page'));
  }
  
  public function add_menu_item() {
    add_menu_page('ACF Flexible Content Reorder', 'ACF Reorder', 'manage_options', 'acf-reorder', array($this, 'settings_page'));
  }
  
  public function add_settings_page() {
    register_setting('acf_reorder_settings', 'acf_reorder_settings');
  }
  
  public function settings_page() {
    // Create a settings page with a drag-and-drop interface
    ?>
    <div class="wrap">
      <h1>ACF Flexible Content Reorder</h1>
      <form>
        <ul id="acf-reorder-list">
          <?php foreach ($this->get_flexible_content_fields() as $field) { ?>
            <li><input type="text" name="acf_reorder_settings[]" value="" /></li>
          <?php } ?>
        </ul>
        <button>Save Reorder</button>
      </form>
    </div>
    <script>
      // Use JavaScript to enable drag-and-drop functionality
      jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
        $('#acf-reorder-list').sortable({
          update: function(event, ui) {
            // Update the reorder settings
            $.ajax({
              type: 'POST',
              url: '',
              data: {
                action: 'acf_reorder_fields',
                fields: $('#acf-reorder-list').sortable('toArray')
              },
              success: function(response) {
                console.log(response);
              }
            });
          }
        });
      });
    </script>
    

In this example, we're creating a custom plugin that adds a new menu item and settings page to the WordPress admin. The settings page includes a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to re-order their Flexible Content Fields.

Conclusion

Re-ordering ACF Flexible Content Fields in WordPress doesn't have to be a hassle. By using one of the solutions outlined above, you can give your clients more flexibility in the WordPress backend, or create more dynamic layouts that change depending on certain conditions.

Whether you choose to use a filter, a custom add-on, or a custom plugin, the key is to find a solution that works best for your specific use case. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can unlock the full potential of ACF Flexible Content Fields and take your WordPress development to the next level.

Additional Resources

If you're looking for more resources on ACF Flexible Content Fields, be sure to check out the following links:

• ACF Flexible Content Documentation
• ACF Filters Documentation
• ACF Flexible Content Repeater Plugin
• ACF Flexible Content Reorder Plugin

We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to unlock the secrets of re-ordering ACF Flexible Content Fields in WordPress!

Can I re-order ACF Flexible Content Fields in WordPress without adjusting the PHP file?

Yes, you can! ACF provides a built-in feature to re-order flexible content fields using the drag-and-drop interface in the WordPress admin dashboard. Simply go to the field group settings, click on the "Layout" tab, and drag the fields to re-order them as needed.

How do I access the ACF field group settings to re-order fields?

Easy peasy! To access the field group settings, go to the WordPress admin dashboard, click on "Custom Fields" or "ACF" (depending on your ACF version), and then select the field group you want to edit. From there, click on the "Layout" tab, and you'll see the fields listed in the order they appear on the frontend. Simply drag and drop to re-order!

Will re-ordering ACF fields affect the existing content on my WordPress site?

Good news! Re-ordering ACF fields will not affect the existing content on your WordPress site. The re-ordering only changes the display order of the fields in the frontend, not the underlying data. So, you can re-order to your heart's content without worrying about breaking anything!

Can I also re-order sub-fields within a flexible content field?

You bet! Not only can you re-order top-level fields, but you can also re-order sub-fields within a flexible content field. Just navigate to the sub-field settings, and use the drag-and-drop interface to re-order them as needed.

Is there a way to programatically re-order ACF fields using code?

For the coders out there, yes, you can use the `acf_update_field_group` function to programatically re-order ACF fields. You'll need to pass the field group ID and an array of field IDs in the desired order. This method allows for more granular control and can be useful for automating certain tasks or integrating with other plugins.

Share this: