Unable to query custom post type with specific category

• Danclp

• October 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm

Hi,

Based on a specific category, I have trouble querying the posts from the Custom Post Type I created in ACF. However, if I remove 'category_name' => 'featured',, the posts will show again. Still, the category name I wished to list without a link won’t show.

Below is my WP_Query code.


<?php $featured_slides = new WP_Query(
array(
'post_type' => 'project',
'posts_per_page => 10,
'category_name' => 'featured',
)
) ?>

<main class="common_margin">
<div class="hero_slide">
<div class="hero_slide-swiper swiper_container">
<?php if( $featured_slides->have_posts() ) : ?>
<div class="hero_slide-container swiper-wrapper">
<?php while( $featured_slides->have_posts() ) : $featured_slides->the_post(); ?>
<div class="hero_slide-item swiper-slide">
<div class="hero_slide-item--wrap">
">
<?php $img = wp_get_attachment_image_src( get_post_thumbnail_id(), 'full' );
if( has_post_thumbnail() ) : ?>
" class="hero_slide-item--img" alt="<?php the_title(); ?>">
<?php endif; ?>
<div class="hero_slide-item--desc">
<p>
<?php
$category = get_the_category();
echo $category[0]->cat_name;
?>
</p>
<h4><?php the_title(); ?></h4>
</div>

</div>
</div>
<?php endwhile; ?>
</div>
<?php wp_reset_postdata(); endif; ?>
<div class="swiper-pagination"></div>
</div>
</div>
</main>


• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 10:53 am

How is the category added to the post?

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 10:59 am

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply.
I am creating and adding the category the normal way, just like when we are in “Posts”. I have a screenshot follow-up below.

SCR-20231025....png

• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 11:22 am

Did you copy the code exactly? Your original code has a typo in it, missing closing single quote around posts_per_page

'posts_per_page => 10,

Are you sure the category slug is “featured”

I just did a test, correcting the typo and it is returning the correct posts for me.

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 11:33 am

My apologies.
I checked my codes.
There is a closing quote after ‘posts_per_page’.
I think I mistyped it in the message box.
And yes, the slug is “featured”.
Please see the screenshot below.
Thank you.

SCR-20231025....png

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 11:53 am

This reply has been marked as private.

• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 12:06 pm

Like I said, I tested it.

I created a CPT “project” using ACF. I added the built in WP category taxonomy to it. I created a “project” and added the “featured” category to it. Then I did the same query you are doing.

Everything worked as expected.

Did you also create a custom taxonomy?

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 12:15 pm

Yes, I created the custom taxonomy in ACF too.
Below are the screenshots.
So you can have a brief idea of what I have done.
Thank you.

SCR-20231025....png

SCR-20231025....png

SCR-20231025....png

• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 12:29 pm

The “catetory_name” argument for WP_Query() will only work for build in WP category taxonomy. You must use a taxonomy_query for custom.

'tax_query' => array(
  array(
    'taxonomy" => 'YOUR CUSTOM TAXONOMY NAME HERE',
    'field' => 'slug',
    'terms' => 'featured'
  }
)

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 12:49 pm

Hi John,

Thanks for the guidance.
It is working now.
However, I still have a problem showing the category in the slide.
Below is the code I use to call out the category.
I don’t want the category to come with the link, and this is the code.

<p>
<?php
$category = get_the_category();
echo $category[0]->cat_name;
?>
</p>

• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm

you can’t use get_the_category() either. All category functions in WP and anything that has “category” in it is for the built in WP category taxonomy.

For custom taxonomies you have to use get_terms(). This will return an array of terms that you’ll need to loop over (event if there is only one term).

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 1:54 pm

Thanks, John.
If you don’t mind, I am going to ask you a dumb question, as I am still learning.
So, a lot of time, I will google for answers related to what I want.
Below is the solution I found after you told me to use “get_terms”.
Instead of showing only the selected categories for the post, it listed every single category I have created. Can you give me some clue why?

$args = array(
  "hide_empty" => false,
  "taxonomy" => "project-category",
);

$terms = get_terms($args);
foreach($terms as $term){
  echo $term->name.", ";
}?>

I hope I am not disturbing you, though.

• John Huebner

• October 25, 2023 at 1:58 pm

Sorry, that was my fault, pointed you at the wring thing.

You need to use wp_get_post_terms() or get_the_terms().

• Danclp

• October 25, 2023 at 2:11 pm

No worries.
Mistakes always happen.
And thank you so much for being patient with me.
Problem solved and case closed. 🙂