The Search & Filter integration with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) allows you to search and filter posts with post types, taxonomies and custom fields. With a wide array of supported options, you can fully utilize the versatility of both plugins to create detailed and granular search forms.
Note: The ACF integration is only available with our Search & Filter Pro subscription, which works with both the free and premium versions of the ACF plugin.
If you’re getting started with both plugins, we highly recommend reviewing the following Getting Started guides:
Activate the ACF Integration
ACF support comes integrated with Search & Filter.
Head to wp-admin -> Search & Filter -> Integrations and ensure the ACF integration is enabled.
Creating Search Fields and Filters with ACF Fields
Once the integration is activated ACF Fields are available to use with any Search & Filter Field type via the new ACF Field Data Type.
After selecting the data type, you can choose from an ACF Field Group before drilling down to the specific ACF Field.
You’ll only be shown ACF Fields that are compatible with your Search & Filter Field Type – for example, Search & Filter Range fields will only show you ACF fields that support range queries, like numbers.
To create a field head to wp-admin -> Search & Filter -> Fields -> New. If you use the block editor, fields can be created entirely via our blocks in the block editor.
For all field types, select ACF Field as the data type, which allow you to drill down by group/repeater field/flexible content and then finally your ACF Field.
Search & Filter supports almost all the ACF field types including group fields and repeater fields, Post Types, Taxonomies and traditional ACF Field Types (custom field based).
Note: Enabling the Indexer in your query settings is required to support more advanced ACF fields.
Our new Search Indexer (beta) also allows you to index and Search ACF fields content directly.
Queries & ACF
Search & Filter Queries support ACF Post Types and Taxonomies, as well as post meta queries for ACF Fields allowing you to use your ACF data to power Search & Filter Queries.
To create a Search & Filter Query head to wp-admin -> Search & Filter -> Queries.
Query ACF Post Types
In the Query tab, you can select your ACF created post types from the Post Types dropdown.
Query ACF Taxonomies
Use the Taxonomies tab to further refine your query by your ACF Taxonomies. You can restrict queries by taxonomy (include/exclude), as well as including or excluding posts that contain any terms.
Query ACF Fields (Custom Fields / Post Meta)
Use the Post Meta tab to further refine your query by ACF Custom Fields.
Search for your ACF Field, then select various comparison options to build your meta query based on ACF Field data.
Faceted Search & Filtering
To enable True Faceted Search & Filtering, you’ll need to enable 2 settings:
1. Indexing (Use Indexer -> Yes)
Indexing unlocks support additional field types and enables faceted search across all Search & Filter fields.
This also enables you to use our new Search Indexer, allowing you to do high performance searches with fuzzy matching built in and industry standard BM25 scoring.
Head to the Query tab and enable Use Indexer.
2. Live Search
Live Search enables you to interact with the filters and update the results without refreshing the page. New results and field data are fetched via ajax, and updated on the page instantly.
Head to the Results tab and enable Live Search.
Supported ACF Field Types
We support using most of the ACF Field Types together with our search and filter fields.