If you want to add custom meta boxes in your WordPress posts, pages, and custom post types, this post will help. Usually custom meta boxes are used for integrating a better user interface for adding meta data (custom fields) into your content.
Here, you will learn how to add these custom boxes in WordPress posts and post types”
A Custom Meta Box in WordPress – What is it?
It is a user friendly interface for adding custom fields (meta data) in your pages, posts, and other custom post types. One of the best things about WordPress is that it comes integrated with a user friendly interface to help users create content such as pages, posts and pages, or custom post types.
Each content type comprises of the original content combined with its metadata (information about that specific content such as title, date and time, author name, and much more. It is possible to add your own metadata. You can do this via using custom fields. But, adding metadata by using custom fields box (default) does not make it seem very natural. Hence, using custom meta boxes will be a good idea.
With WordPress, developers can create and even add their own custom meta boxes on screens of the post edit.
Adding Custom Meta Boxes in WordPress Posts and Post Types
Step 1: Install and activate the plugin – Advanced Custom Fields.
Step 2: After successful activation, a new menu item will be added by the plugin. It is labeled as ‘Custom Fields’. The menu item is added to your WordPress admin bar.
Step 3: Click on the menu bar. You will get to an empty (because you didn’t create custom fields) custom fields page.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Add New’ button to reach ‘Add New Field Group’ page.
Step 5: Give a title for your field group on this page. This will be used as the title of your meta box. Now you can easily start adding your fields. Click on the ‘+ Add Field’ button and add your first field. The field settings form will open.
Step 6: Here, give a label for your field to be displayed in the meta box before the field.
Step 7: Select field type. The Advanced Custom Fields plugin will let you choose from a wide range of options such as checkboxes, text, full WYSIWYG editor, text area, images, radio buttons, and more.
Step 8: Give field instructions to let users know what to add into the field. You will also find other options for your field. Assess these carefully and adjust to suit your requirements.
Step 9: Click on the button ‘close field’ to collapse the field. For adding more fields to metabox, simply click on the ‘+ Add Field’ button.
Step 10: After adding fields, simply scroll down to the location segment. Here, you can define precisely when and where the meta box can be displayed.
Remember that the Advanced Custom Fields is available with many predefined rules You can choose from these as per your needs. Some of these include a selection of post category, page parent, post types, taxonomy, and many more. If you need assist, feel free to ask us : wpwebsitemaintenanceservices.com
Step 11: For meta box options settings, select the preferred order number. For multiple field groups defined for a specific location, choose the order number to be displayed. In case, you are not sure, simply then leave it as 0.
Step 12: Choose the position of meta box on the page. You may choose to display it as any of the following:
– After the content
– Before the content
– Right column
Also choose a meta box style. You may also choose it to be similar to all of the other WordPress meta boxes. Another option is to let it be without any meta box (seamless). In case, you aren’t sure, choose the Standard (WP Meta box) option.
Last of all, you will notice a list of fields. This is usually displayed on a post edit screen. If unsure, leave them unchecked.
Step 13: Click on the publish button. This will make the field group live.
Cheers, you have successfully generated your custom meta box for WordPress post or post type!
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