Advanced Custom Fields is a powerful plugin used to create, and manage custom fields, and custom post types efficiently. Previously users had to create custom post types with another plugin like CPT UI or manually by code. This process was often time-consuming and complex, particularly when working with custom content types or managing multiple CPTs.
But since ACF 6.1 version has been released through which, users can now seamlessly create custom post types directly within the ACF plugin itself, eliminating the need for external plugins or complex coding. It provides a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to define custom fields and associate them with specific content types.
In this article, we will walk you through the process of creating custom post types using the ACF plugin.
Let’s take a closer look at creating custom post types using ACF.
- Install & Activate the Advanced Custom Fields(ACF) plugin.
Add New
To register a new custom post type, go to ACF ➝ Post Types, click on Add New, and access a screen with settings for the post type.
Settings
- Plural Label: It is the plural label for the object you are registering could be, for example, “Movies,” “Places,” or “Books.”
- Singular Label: It is the singular label of the object you are registering, for example, Movie, Place, and book.
- Post Type Key: The auto-generated key is derived from the singular label, but you also have the option to modify it if necessary.
- Public: By default, this setting determines whether the post type is public or private. When enabled, the post type is visible in the admin dashboard and accessible to the public on the frontend of the site.
- Hierarchical: By default, this setting is disabled and determines the type of post type in terms of supporting parent and child relationships between objects, similar to the WordPress ‘Pages’ post type.
- Advanced Configurations: To simplify the registration process, ACF does not display the extensive list of settings by default. However, when the ‘Advanced Configuration‘ toggle is enabled, you gain control over the various settings that can be configured for registering a post type.
Once you have configured all the necessary settings, simply click on the “Save Changes” button to save your settings.
Edit Custom Post Types
To modify existing custom post types, simply click on the “Edit” button, and you will find all the settings available for customization.
Wrap Up
In conclusion, creating custom post types using the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin offers a powerful solution for tailoring your WordPress website to specific content needs. With ACF, you can effortlessly define custom fields, associate them with post types, and enhance your content organization and data collection.
