Unlocking the Power of ACF Flexible Content Fields with Bricks Builder

The Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Pro’s Flexible Content Field feature is a game-changer for developers and designers alike. In this blog, we’ll delve into how to set up and utilise flexible content fields, integrate them with Bricks Builder, and create dynamic layouts that are not only functional but also visually appealing.

Understanding ACF Flexible Content Fields

The Flexible Content Field in ACF Pro is one of its standout features. It allows you to create various templates or groups of meta fields that can be used throughout your site. Imagine having the ability to craft unique content layouts that can be tailored to any post type. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when you want to showcase different types of information, such as testimonials, project overviews, or client feedback.

For instance, consider a simple listing for an advertising executive. Within this listing, you might have sections for Google advertising campaigns, complete with a title, a WYSIWYG editor for detailed descriptions, and an image gallery. By using flexible content fields, you can easily replicate this structure for other listings, allowing for a consistent yet varied presentation of information.

Setting Up Flexible Content Fields

Let’s get started on how to create flexible content fields from scratch. First, ensure you have ACF Pro installed and activated. Once that’s done, navigate to your ACF field group associated with your custom post type. Here’s how to create flexible content fields:

1. In your ACF field group, click on “Add Field”.
2. Select “Flexible Content” from the field type options. Note that this feature is exclusive to ACF Pro.
3. Name your flexible content field, for example, ‘flexible’.
4. Now, you need to define the layouts. Click on “Add Layout” and give it an appropriate label, such as ‘Project Overview’.
5. Within this layout, you can add sub-fields. For our example, let’s add a text field for the project title, a WYSIWYG editor for project details, and a gallery field for images.
6. Repeat the process to create additional layouts, like ‘Client Feedback’. This layout can include fields for the client name and feedback.
7. Save your field group.

With these steps, you have successfully set up your flexible content fields. Now, let’s see how to use them in a real-world application.

Adding Flexible Content to Your Posts

After setting up your flexible content fields, it’s time to populate them in your posts. Navigate to the custom post type (e.g., Jobs) in WordPress and open a post. You should see your flexible content section at the bottom of the post editor.

Click on “Add Row” to see the layouts you created—‘Project Overview’ and ‘Client Feedback’. You can now fill in the details for each section. For example:

• In the ‘Project Overview’ section, enter the project title, details, and upload images to the gallery.
• In the ‘Client Feedback’ section, input the client name and their feedback.

Once you’ve added all the necessary content, update the post. Now, it’s time to display this information using Bricks Builder.

Integrating ACF with Bricks Builder

Bricks Builder is an excellent tool for creating custom layouts in WordPress. To output the flexible content fields you just created, follow these steps:

1. Open Bricks Builder and navigate to the template section where you want to display the content.
2. Add a new container block to your layout. This will house your flexible content.
3. Inside this container, add a loop element. Select “Use Query Loop” and choose the ACF flexible content field from the dropdown.
4. Set the content type to the appropriate post type, such as ‘Advertising Executive’.
5. Now, you’ll need to add a container for each layout within the loop. For example, add a block for ‘Project Details’ and another for ‘Client Feedback’.
6. For each block, add the necessary elements (heading, rich text, gallery) and link them to the respective ACF fields using dynamic data.

This approach allows you to dynamically pull in the content you’ve entered into your flexible fields. You’ll need to apply styling and spacing to ensure everything looks good. Don’t forget to save your changes!

Utilising Conditional Logic

One of the powerful features of ACF is the ability to use conditional logic. This means you can show or hide certain fields based on specific conditions. For instance, if a job listing doesn’t have any project details, you can set the ‘Project Overview’ block to remain hidden.

To set up conditional logic:

1. Select the block you wish to conditionally display.
2. Navigate to the conditions settings and add a new condition.
3. Choose the option for dynamic data and select ‘ACF get row layout’.
4. Enter the unique identifier for the block you want to check against.

This allows for a clean and user-friendly interface, ensuring that only relevant information is displayed on the front end.

Previewing Your Work

Once everything is set up, it’s time to preview your work. Refresh your page to see how the flexible content fields are rendered. You should see the project overview details and client feedback displayed neatly. If you navigate to a job with no flexible fields included, those sections should remain hidden, showcasing the power of conditional logic.

Styling Your Flexible Content

Styling is crucial for making your flexible content look professional. In Bricks Builder, you can easily apply styles to your blocks. You can add padding, margins, backgrounds, and typography settings to ensure your content is visually appealing.

Consider creating a consistent style guide for your flexible content to maintain brand consistency across your site. This will help in making your content not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Flexible Content Field in ACF Pro?

The Flexible Content Field allows users to create multiple layouts that can be used to structure content dynamically. It’s ideal for various content types, such as testimonials, project overviews, and more.

2. How do I set up Flexible Content Fields?

To set up Flexible Content Fields, navigate to your ACF field group, select “Add Field”, choose “Flexible Content”, and then define your layouts and sub-fields.

3. Can I use conditional logic with Flexible Content Fields?

Yes, ACF allows you to apply conditional logic to show or hide fields based on specific conditions, making your content dynamic and relevant.

4. How do I integrate ACF with Bricks Builder?

After setting up your fields in ACF, use Bricks Builder to create a template where you can add a loop element connected to your ACF fields, allowing you to output the content dynamically.

5. Where can I learn more about ACF and Bricks Builder?

By harnessing the power of ACF Flexible Content Fields and Bricks Builder, you can create stunning, dynamic websites that are easy to manage and update. Whether you’re building a portfolio, a business site, or a blog, these tools provide the flexibility and control you need to bring your vision to life.