How to Query Posts using Flexible Content?

• byoo

• January 4, 2017 at 1:34 pm

Hello,

Sorry if this was answered already.

I am trying to query a custom post type (“events”) based off of a date created through flexible content. Everything I can find about this topic points to this link: https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/query-posts-custom-fields/
I’ve been using #4 but it doesn’t work and I’m not sure why. Hopefully someone can help me or point me to the right direction.

My setup:
Custom Post Type: events
Flexible Content Name: the_content
Layout 1: featured_image
(within Layout 1) Field Name: start_date

<?php
// filter
function my_posts_where( $where ) {
	
$where = str_replace("meta_key = 'featured_image_%", "meta_key LIKE 'featured_image_%", $where);

return $where;
}
add_filter('posts_where', 'my_posts_where');

// find todays date
$date = date('Ymd');

// args
$args = array(
	'numberposts'	=> -1,
	'post_type'	=> 'events',
	'meta_query'	=> array(
		array(
			'key'		=> 'featured_image_%_start_date',
			'compare'	=> '<=',
			'value'		=> $date,
		)
	)
);

// query
$the_query = new WP_Query( $args );

The following is what shows up for var_dump ($where) and var_dump ($args)
(var_dump($where) returns null)

C:\...\wp-content\themes\project\front-page.php:60:null

C:\...\wp-content\themes\project\front-page.php:61:
array (size=3)
  'numberposts' => int -1
  'post_type' => string 'events' (length=5)
  'meta_query' => 
    array (size=1)
      0 => 
        array (size=3)
          'key' => string 'featured_image_%_start_date' (length=27)
          'compare' => string '<=' (length=2)
          'value' => string '20170104' (length=8)

What am I doing wrong? I’m not sure why it’s not working. Is $where suppose to return null? Is my_posts_where() suppose to be in functions.php? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

• John Huebner

• January 4, 2017 at 11:36 pm

Unfortunately, the example number 4 is going to be what most people refer to. There are also many posts on the subject about this if you look. Querying posts by sub fields is a huge PITA and I’ve given up the idea and I look for ways around doing it. I posted an example of working around querying sub pages on a similar topic here https://support.advancedcustomfields.com/forums/topic/get-next-post/ and it might help you.