Using fields outside the loop

• squarestarmedia

• November 4, 2013 at 9:45 am

Hi Elliott,

First, thanks for the plugin! It really does open up a world of possibility.

My question: Can I use ACF’s built-in functions outside the loop? It seems as though I can’t – if I just drop a print_r(get_fields() ); into functions.php, I only get an array of empty key fields back – but I may be doing something wrong.

• Elliot

• November 4, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Hi @squarestarmedia

Currently, the ACF functions can not be used in the root of the functions.php file.
You need to use an action on or later than ‘init’ to get the ACF functions to work.

As for the get_fields function, there is a parameter to specify a post_id. Use this to target the post to load the values from.

Thanks
E

• squarestarmedia

• November 5, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Thanks Elliot – I was just coming back to explain that I forgot to add the post_id to my example, but obviously it doesn’t affect the info from your first paragraph.

I have got a system working now, but maybe you could clarify something for me: Because of WP’s use of hooks (like in this case), if you want to work with variables between hooked functions, you basically have to assign them to global variables – is that correct, or is there a better way?

Cheers.

• Elliot

• November 5, 2013 at 3:30 pm

Hi @squarestarmedia

Pretty much, yes. But there is always more than one way to skin a cat!

Thanks
E

• gotlisch

• December 26, 2014 at 3:13 pm

Hi Elliot, would you mind showing how the action on or later than ‘init’ approach would look like. I have a similar issue where I’m I’m using ACF in the function.php file and using cron jobs to trigger the function..

Cheers,
Mikael

• gotlisch

• December 26, 2014 at 3:14 pm

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