New block.json method yields "no block types exist"

• samscuid

• October 7, 2022 at 6:45 pm

Hello all,

I am trying to use the new block.json method of registering blocks and I’m clearly missing something. I used the TwentyTwentyTwo theme to test and when I follow the new ACF Blocks Documentation, and then try to set the Location Rule for the Block, I keep getting “No block types exist”…

I am on WP 6.0.2 and ACF PRO 6.0.2. My code is shown below:

twentytwentytwo/blocks/testimonial/block.json

{
  "name": "acf/testimonial",
  "title": "Testimonial",
  "description": "A custom testimonial block",
  "style": [ "file:./testimonial.css" ],
  "category": "formatting",
  "icon": "admin-comments",
  "keywords": ["testimonial", "quote"],
  "acf": {
      "mode": "edit",
      "renderTemplate": "testimonial.php"
  },
  "align": "full"
}

twentytwentytwo/functions.php includes:

add_action( 'init', 'register_acf_blocks', 5 );
function register_acf_blocks() {
    register_block_type( get_template_directory_uri() . '/blocks/testimonial' );
}

I also have file twentytwentytwo/blocks/testimonial/testimonial.php but simply copy and pasted from the new docs. Still not able to find a registered block when trying to set Location Rule to Block = … Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to help.

• JonasCn

• October 10, 2022 at 4:25 am

I have exactly the same problem. I am unable to register blocks using the ACF documentation for registering json blocks

• JohnnyComeLately

• October 10, 2022 at 9:40 pm

We are also having the same issue…

• r.soerensen

• October 11, 2022 at 3:38 am

…same here …

• JonasCn

• October 11, 2022 at 11:28 am

Good afternoon mates. I contacted support and they gave me a solution that worked for me.

I share it with you. Luck

——————————————————————————

The register_block_type() expects a filesystem path(as illustrated at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j_IaTnRnEJLFraiUKsYrdi5yEhWSkzy8/view?usp=sharing).

That said, please try using the __DIR__ . ‘/path-to-the-block-file.json ensuring the complete path to .json file is added. For example:
register_block_type( __DIR__ . ‘/blocks/testimonial/block.json’ );

In other words, you can try replacing get_template_directory_uri() with __DIR__ or get_template_directory() in block registration code.

Also, confirm if the path returned resolves to your /block.json file.

• samscuid

• October 11, 2022 at 12:07 pm

Thanks, all. I just heard back from support as well and the answer provided by JonasCn got it working for me.

• Paul Bystrzan

• October 31, 2022 at 10:30 am

In case of errors after fixing the render path – I’m using the handle-name for all scripts and styles just because the new API 2 in ACF is not fully compatible with native blocks JSON like I should expect.

Once again – the new docs – sucks! & need to be fixed asap.

• zaphod

• January 26, 2023 at 8:25 am

hey all, I’ve checked the path that returns my json file and it’s definitely the right path but I still can’t register my block.

I triple-checked everything:

function register_acf_blocks() {
  register_block_type( __DIR__ . '/blocks/custom-block/custom-block.json' );
}
add_action( 'init', 'register_acf_blocks' );

In my themefolder I’ve got a folder “/blocks/custom-block/” with my json file “custom-block.json” and a “custom-block.css” and “custom-block.php” file.

I’m working on a local install, ACF is latest (6.0.7) WP is latest (6.1.1) and I get no errors or warnings.

Anyone got other ideas why the block won’t register?
This is slowly driving me mad …

Thanks

• r.soerensen

• January 26, 2023 at 9:18 am

Hi @zaphod, I’m not sure, but I think you shouldn’t change the name of the .json file. Just name it block.json and see if it works.

• zaphod

• January 27, 2023 at 5:51 am

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

Thank you so much – it was really just that. OMG I can’t believe that the json file really has to be called block.json!!!

Was I really the only one who didn’t get that?

Thanks again

• aregmk

• February 16, 2023 at 7:41 am

Hi @zaphod, you are not the only one)
I was struggling an hour until I found this post.
I don’t understand why they did so.
For example, I want to have a folder called “acf-block-json” in my plugin, and have all the block json files within it. I don’t like the template rendering, so I don’t have a file/folder structure for block templates. Instead, I have all the blocks as HTML rendering functions.
Now, with this limitation, I can’t achieve that. But I think the limiation comes fro WP itself.