Using preg_replace and acf/render_field action

• zenith

• October 1, 2021 at 8:14 am

I have a function to render bold text when putting asterisks (*”*) around words/phrases.

function make_bold($text)
{
  $text;
  $pattern = '/(?<!\*)\*(?![\s*])(.*?)(?<![\s*])\*(?!\*)/';
  $replacement = '<strong>$1</strong>';
  echo preg_replace($pattern, $replacement, $text);
}
add_action('acf/render_field/type=text', 'make_bold');

This works as expected on the frontend.

However, in the backend, ‘Array’ is printed under every text field – both within the custom fields editor, and page/post editors where fields are displaying.

And without adding ‘type=text’ onto the action, ‘Array’ is printed under every field.

So in short, why is this happening (I assume it’s the action) and how do I remove it properly?

• John Huebner

• October 1, 2021 at 8:58 am

acf/render_field is an action hook and there is nothing that can be filtered. This hook passes the $field array to your function. I have no idea what this is doing on the front end but it’s not doing what you think it’s doing. This hook is only run when displaying a field for input.

• zenith

• October 1, 2021 at 9:53 am

Cheers John, forget that then, I’ve just removed the action.