Guide for Setting Up Custom Fields in WordPress Posts via API

Comprehensive Guide: For Setting Up Custom Fields in WordPress Posts via API

This guide will walk you through the process of creating a new WordPress post and populating custom fields in Pabbly Connect using:

• CASE 1: ACF (Advanced Custom Fields)​
• CASE 2: META​

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CASE 1​

Part 1: Setting up WordPress for Advanced Custom Fields or ACF​

Step 1: Install and Activate the ACF Plugin​

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.​
2. Navigate to Plugins -> Add Plugin.
   
   

   
3. In the search bar, type "Advanced Custom Fields" or "ACF".​
4. Choose the plugin of your choice and click Install Now.
   
   

   
5. Once the installation is complete, click Activate.
   
   

   
6. You will now see a new menu item called ACF in your dashboard.
   
   

   

Step 2: Create a Field Group and Fields​

This is the most critical part for the posting through API. You will create a field group with a few simple fields to confirm the connection works.

1. Navigate to ACF -> Field Groups.​
2. Click Add New.
   
   

   
3. Enter the Field Group Title: Name it something easy to recognize, like Test Field Group.​
4. Click + Add Field Group and Enter the values of following:
   Choose the Field Type
   Enter the value of Field Label
   Enter the value of Field Name
   Enter the Default Value if applicable.​
5. Click Save Changes
   .
   
   
   
   Group Settings: Enabling REST API Access
   After setting up your custom fields, you need to enable them for API access. To do this, follow these steps:
   
   1. After clicking Save Changes on your Field Group, scroll down the page to the Settings section.​
   2. Within the Settings box, find and click on Group Settings to expand it.​
   3. Locate the Show in REST API setting.​
   4. Toggle the button to Enabled.​
   5. Then Click on Save Changes
      
      

      

      ​
      
      
      This action makes your entire Field Group and all of its custom fields accessible through the WordPress REST API, allowing your API tool to read and write data to them.

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CASE 2​

Part 2: Setting up WordPress for META​

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Step 1: Create the Custom Plugin​

You will create a simple plugin to hold the code for your meta box.

1. On your computer, create a new folder and name it.​
2. Inside that folder, create a new PHP file and name it.​
3. Open you folder and paste the complete code into it.​

Step 2: Upload and Activate the Plugin​

1. Navigate to Plugins -> Add Plugins.
   
   

   
2. Click the Upload Plugin button.​
3. Choose the zip file and click Install Now.
   
   

   
4. Click on Install Now.​
5. Click on Activate Plugin
   
   

   

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Response received in Pabbly Connect for ACF

Dashboard View

Response received in Pabbly Connect for META

Note: When you select META as the Custom Field Parent, the Meta Field values will be visible only in the API output and not on the dashboard.

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[Shambhavi Pandey]

Advanced Custom Fields or ACF - Field Types

Field Type	What it Does	Common Use Case	Example Value
Text	A single-line text input field.	Short headlines, names, or titles.	John Doe
Text Area	A multi-line text input field.	Paragraphs, descriptions, or addresses.	123 Main Street, New York, NY 10001
Number	A field for numerical values.	Prices, quantities, or scores.	150
Range	A slider to select a number within a range.	Rating systems (e.g., 1-10) or product sizes.	7
Email	A field that validates input as an email address.	Contact information or user profiles.	[email protected]
URL	A field that validates input as a web address.	Linking to external websites or social media profiles.	"https://example.com"
Password	A masked input field for secure information.	Storing a password (not recommended for sensitive data).	mypassword123
Image	An interface to upload or select an image.	Product images, user avatars, or featured images. Note: For product images, user avatars, or featured images, you need to upload the image in the dashboard, then copy the image ID and paste it into the field for it to work via the API.	12
File	An interface to upload or select a file of any type.	Downloading a PDF brochure, spreadsheet, or document. Note: For downloading a PDF brochure, spreadsheet, or document, you need to upload the file manually on the dashboard, then copy the file ID and paste it into the field for it to work via the API.	29
WYSIWYG Editor	A rich text editor for formatted content.	Blog post content, product details, or page sections.	This is a formatted paragraph.
oEmbed	A field to embed media by pasting a URL.	Embedding YouTube videos, tweets, or Spotify tracks.	"https://example.com"
Gallery	(PRO Only) A field to manage a collection of images.	Creating image galleries, portfolios, or product slideshows.	image1.jpg, image2.jpg, image3.jpg
Select	A dropdown menu for choosing a single option from a list.	Product color options, status indicators. Note: Only predefined values configured in the dashboard should be entered in this field.	Option A
Checkbox	A set of options where multiple choices can be selected.	User preferences, dietary restrictions, product features. Note: Only predefined values configured in the dashboard should be entered in this field.	["choice1", "choice2"]
Radio Button	A set of options where only one choice can be selected.	Product variations, Yes/No questions. Note: Only predefined values configured in the dashboard should be entered in this field.	Option A
Button Group	A collection of buttons where only one can be selected.	Similar to Radio Buttons with a visual style.	Option A
True / False	A simple toggle for a boolean value.	Availability or enabling/disabling a feature.	True
Link	A field to create an internal or external hyperlink.	Call-to-action buttons or navigation links.	{"url": "https://example.com", "title": "Example", "target": "_blank"}
Post Object	A field to select a specific post or page.	Linking to related articles or resources.	Post: How to Use ACF
Page Link	A field to select a specific page.	Creating a list of internal page links.	About Us Page
Relationship	A field to select multiple posts, pages, or custom post types.	Showing related products or team members.	Post 23, Post 45, Post 78
Taxonomy	A field to select one or more taxonomy terms.	Assigning categories or tags.	Technology, WordPress
User	A field to select a registered user.	Assigning a team member to a project or post.	Editor - John Smith
Google Map	An interface to set a precise location on a map.	Displaying a business location or event venue.	40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
Date Picker	A calendar interface to select a date.	Event or publication dates.	2025-08-25
Date Time Picker	An interface to select a date and time.	Scheduling events or appointments.	2025-08-25 14:30
Time Picker	An interface to select a specific time.	Business hours or event times.	10:45 am
Color Picker	A tool to select a color.	Brand, button, or background colors.	#FF5733
Icon Picker	An interface to select an icon.	Adding icons to menus or UI.	Star Icon
Message	A non-editable field to display instructions.	Providing editor guidance.	Please upload a high-resolution image.
Accordion	Groups fields into collapsible sections.	Cleaning up the editor UI for complex forms.	Contact Info Section
Tab	Groups and organizes fields into tabs.	Creating a tabbed editing interface.	SEO Settings Tab
Group	Groups related fields together.	Address group (street, city, state, etc.).	123 Main St, NYC, NY