Meta Field Block – Display custom fields in the Block Editor without coding vs PDF Embedder – PDF Viewer & Embed PDF Files for WordPress

This single-block plugin allows you to display custom fields, shortcode as blocks in the Block Editor. It supports custom fields for posts, terms, and users. It can be nested inside a parent block that has postId and postType context, such as Query Loop, WooCommerce Product Collection, Term Query, or used as a stand-alone block. You can display any field whose value can be retrieved by the core API (get_post_meta, get_term_meta, get_user_meta) and is a string or can be converted to a string. To display the field value in the Block Editor, it has to be accessible via the REST API or have the field type set to dynamic. You can also display custom fields created by the Advanced Custom Fields or Meta Box plugin explicitly. It supports all ACF field types and Meta Box field types whose values are strings or can be converted to strings. Some other ACF complex fields such as Image, Link, Page Link, True False, Checkbox, Select, Radio, Button Group, Taxonomy, User, Post Object and Relationship field types as well as Meta Box fields such as Select, Checkbox, Radio, Image, Video, Taxonomy, User, Post field types are also supported in basic formats. This plugin also provides developer-friendly hook APIs that allow you to easily customize the output of the block, display complex data type fields, or use the block as a placeholder to display any kind of content with object_id and object_type as context parameters. An edge case where this block is really helpful is when you need to get the correct post_id in your shortcode when you use it in a Query Loop. In that case, you can set the field type as dynamic and input your shortcode in the field name. The block will display it correctly on both the front end and the editor. Alternatively, if you only want to see the preview of your shortcode in the editor, you can also use this block as a better version of the core/shortcode. To quickly learn how this block displays custom fields, watch the short guide (for MFB version 1.3.4) by Paul Charlton from WPTuts. The video focuses on the Advanced Custom Fields plugin, but you can use a similar approach to display fields from other frameworks like Meta Box. Links Website How it works & tutorials MFB PRO What is the HTML output of a custom field? The HTML output of a custom field on the front end depends on the context of the field. It uses one of these core API functions to get the field value: get_post_meta, get_term_meta, get_user_meta. What is the HTML output of ACF fields? All basic field types that return strings or can cast to strings are supported – The HTML output is from the get_field function. Link type – The HTML output is: {title} There is no rel attribute if the target is not _blank Image type – The HTML output is from the wp_get_attachment_image function. The image size is from the Preview Size setting. True / False type – The HTML output is Yes if the value is true, and No if the value is false. Below is the code snippet to change these text values: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_true_false_on_text', function ( $on_text, $field_name, $field, $post_id, $value ) { return 'Yep'; }, 10, 5 ); add_filter( 'meta_field_block_true_false_off_text', function ( $off_text, $field_name, $field, $post_id, $value ) { return 'Noop'; }, 10, 5 ); Checkbox / Select type – The HTML output is: {item_value} , {item_value} The item_value can be either value or label, depending on the return format of the field. Multiple selected values are separated by ,. Below is the code snippet to change the separator: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_acf_field_choice_item_separator', function ( $separator, $field_name, $field, $post_id, $value ) { return ' | '; }, 10, 5 ); Radio button / Button group type – The HTML output can be either value or label, depending on the return format of the field. Page link type, Post object type – The HTML output for a single-value field is: {title} For a multiple-value field is: {title} {title} Relationship type – The HTML output is: {title} {title} Taxonomy type – The HTML output is: {term_name} {term_name} User type – The HTML output for a single-value field is: {display_name} For a multiple-value field is: {display_name} {display_name} For other complex field types, you can generate a custom HTML output by using the hook: apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_get_acf_field', $field_value, $post_id, $field, $raw_value, $object_type ) Or by using the general hook: apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', $content, $attributes, $block, $object_id, $object_type ) What is the HTML output of Meta Box fields? Similar to ACF fields, all basic fields that return strings or can cast to strings using the function rwmb_get_value are supported. The HTML output of cloneable basic fields is: {item_1_value} , {item_2_value} Use the following hooks to change the tag and the separator: apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_mb_clone_field_item_separator', ', ', $field, $post_id, $field_value ) apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_mb_clone_field_item_tag', 'span', $field, $post_id, $field_value ) Single image types – The HTML output is from the wp_get_attachment_image function. The image size is from the image_size setting. Image list types (Image, Image advanced, Image upload) – The HTML output is: Checkbox / Switch type – Similar to ACF True / False type. Multi-choice types (Select, Select advanced, Button group, Autocomplete, Image select, Checkbox list) – The HTML output is: {item_value} , {item_value} To display the label instead of the value, use this hook: apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_mb_field_choice_item_display_label', false, $field_name, $field, $post_id, $value ) To change the separator, use this hook: apply_filters( 'meta_field_block_mb_field_choice_item_separator', ', ', $file_name, $field, $post_id, $value ) Radio type – The output is the field value by default. To display label or change the separator, use the same hooks as the multi-choice types. Post type – The HTML output for a single-value field is: {title} For a multiple-value field is: {title} {title} Taxonomy, Taxonomy advanced type – The HTML output for a single-value field is: {term_name} For a multiple-value field is: {term_name} {term_name} User type – Similar to ACF User type Video type – The HTML output for a single-value field is: For a multiple-value field is: To display complex field types or change the output of a field, use the hook meta_field_block_get_mb_field or the general hook meta_field_block_get_block_content. Copy & paste snippets When using the meta_field_block_get_block_content hook to customize block content, we recommend selecting dynamic as the field type. This way, both the front end and the editor will show the changes. If you are working with ACF Fields, we suggest using the meta_field_block_get_acf_field hook to modify the field content. Similarly, Meta Box users should use the meta_field_block_get_mb_field hook to modify the content. ACF snippets can also be used with Meta Box fields, but you must use the correct hook name and replace the get_field function with the rwmb_get_value function. How to change the HTML output of the block? Using the meta_field_block_get_block_content hook: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', function ( $block_content, $attributes, $block, $post_id, $object_type ) { $field_name = $attributes['fieldName'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_unique_field_name' === $field_name ) { $block_content = 'new content'; } return $block_content; }, 10, 5); Using the meta_field_block_get_acf_field hook for ACF Fields only: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_acf_field', function ( $block_content, $post_id, $field, $raw_value, $object_type ) { $field_name = $field['name'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_unique_field_name' === $field_name ) { $block_content = 'new content'; } return $block_content; }, 10, 5); This basic snippet is very powerful. You can use it to display any fields from any posts, terms, users or setting fields. Please see the details in the below use cases. How to wrap the block with a link to the post within the Query Loop? Using the meta_field_block_get_block_content hook: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', function ( $block_content, $attributes, $block, $post_id ) { $field_name = $attributes['fieldName'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_unique_field_name' === $field_name && $block_content !== '' ) { $block_content = sprintf(' %2$s ', get_permalink($post_id), $block_content); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); Using the meta_field_block_get_acf_field hook for ACF Fields only: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_acf_field', function ( $block_content, $post_id, $field, $raw_value ) { $field_name = $field['name'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_unique_field_name' === $field_name && $block_content !== '' ) { $block_content = sprintf(' %2$s ', get_permalink($post_id), $block_content); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); This snippet only works with the block that has only HTML inline tags or an image. How to display an image URL field as an image tag? Using the meta_field_block_get_block_content hook: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', function ( $block_content, $attributes, $block, $post_id ) { $field_name = $attributes['fieldName'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_image_url_field_name' === $field_name && wp_http_validate_url($block_content) ) { $block_content = sprintf(' ', esc_attr($block_content)); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); Using the meta_field_block_get_acf_field hook for ACF Fields only: add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_acf_field', function ( $block_content, $post_id, $field, $raw_value ) { $field_name = $field['name'] ?? ''; if ( 'your_image_url_field_name' === $field_name && wp_http_validate_url($block_content) ) { $block_content = sprintf(' ', esc_attr($block_content)); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); How to display multiple meta fields in a block? For example, we need to display the full name of a user from two meta fields first_name and last_name. add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', function ( $block_content, $attributes, $block, $post_id ) { $field_name = $attributes['fieldName'] ?? ''; if ( 'full_name' === $field_name ) { $first_name = get_post_meta( $post_id, 'first_name', true ); $last_name = get_post_meta( $post_id, 'last_name', true ); // If the meta fields are ACF Fields. The code will be: // $first_name = get_field( 'first_name', $post_id ); // $last_name = get_field( 'last_name', $post_id ); $block_content = trim("$first_name $last_name"); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); Choose the field type as dynamic and input the field name as full_name. How to display a setting field? For example, we need to display a setting field named footer_credit on the footer template part of the site. add_filter( 'meta_field_block_get_block_content', function ( $block_content, $attributes, $block, $post_id ) { $field_name = $attributes['fieldName'] ?? ''; // Replace `footer_credit` with your unique name. if ( 'footer_credit' === $field_name ) { $block_content = get_option( 'footer_credit', '' ); // If the field is an ACF Field. The code will be: // $block_content = get_field( 'footer_credit', 'option' ); } return $block_content; }, 10, 4); How to use MFB as a placeholder to display any kind of content? SAVE YOUR TIME WITH MFB PRO To display simple data type fields for posts, terms, and users, you only need the free version of MFB. MFB Pro can save you 90% of development time when working with ACF, or Meta Box complex fields. It achieves this by transforming your ACF complex field types into container blocks, which work similarly to core container blocks. This eliminates the need for creating custom blocks or writing custom code for displaying complex fields. Below are some video tutorials that demonstrate how MFB Pro can help you display complex fields: How to build a post template to display dynamic data without coding How to display ACF Repeater fields as a list, grid, or carousel How to display ACF Gallery fields as a grid, masonry, or carousel The main features of MFB PRO are: Display settings fields. Display ACF advanced layout fields: Group, Repeater, and Flexible content. Display ACF Repeater fields in a carousel layout, which is useful for displaying banner sliders. Display ACF Repeater fields in an accordion layout, which is useful for displaying FAQ pages. Display ACF Relationship and Post Object fields as a Query Loop. Display the ACF Image field as a core image block. Display the ACF Gallery field as an image gallery using grid, masonry, or carousel layouts. Display the ACF File field as a video block, an image block, a button block, or a link. Display the ACF Link field as a button block. Display the ACF URL field as an image block, a button block, a link, a video block, or an embed block. Display the ACF Email field as a button block or a link. Display the ACF oEmbed field as an embed block. Display the ACF Google Map field. All Meta Box field types that correspond to ACF field types support the same Pro features as ACF. Display the Meta Box Group field, similar to the ACF Group field. Display the Meta Box Cloneable Group field as a repeater block, similar to the ACF Repeater field. Supports row, stack, grid or carousel layouts. Display the Meta Box Post field as a Query Loop. Display the Meta Box single image field as an image block, and the image list field as an image gallery using grid, masonry, or carousel layouts. Display the Meta Box File single input field as a video block, an image block, or a button. Display a group field as a details block, and display a repeater or cloned group as an accordion. Set a single image sub-field (ACF Image or Meta Box Image) as the background image of a group field. Display custom fields from a specific post, term or user. Display a taxonomy field as a Terms Query block. Display a repeater or cloned group field as an core/accordion block. Since version 1.5.3, MFB Pro allows you to bind custom fields (ACF, Meta Box, core meta fields, and core settings) directly to core blocks (Heading, Paragraph, Button, Image, Video, Embed, and the background image/video/embed of Cover block). For more complex field types (Group, Repeater, Flexible Content), you can use MFB Pro to display the group as a container. Nested fields can then be displayed using the Sub Field Block, as before, or bound directly to core blocks. If this plugin is useful for you, please do a quick review and rate it on WordPress.org to help us spread the word. I would very much appreciate it. Please check out my other plugins if you’re interested: Content Blocks Builder – Build custom layouts and blocks visually in the Block Editor without needing a code editor, using only core blocks and native Gutenberg features. SVG Block – A block to display SVG images as blocks. Useful for images, icons, dividers, and buttons. It allows you to upload SVG images and load them into the icon library. Icon separator – A tiny block just like the core/separator block but with the ability to add an icon. Breadcrumb Block – A simple breadcrumb …

Upload PDF files and embed them directly into your site’s posts and pages, as simply as adding images. Each document displays right where you place it, at its natural size or a width you choose, and the responsive viewer adapts automatically whenever the browser dimensions change. Out of the box, WordPress turns an uploaded PDF into a bare download link: visitors click it and leave your page, or the file opens in a viewer you don’t control. PDF Embedder keeps them reading on the page and keeps you in control of how your document looks. PDF Embedder displays PDF documents on more than 300,000 websites. It differs from other PDF plugins in how the document becomes part of the page: rendered inline, sized to your layout, served entirely from your own site, and previewed live while you edit. There is no Google Docs Viewer or other third-party service involved, and the viewer loads its files only on pages that contain a PDF, so the rest of your site stays fast. In the Block Editor, the PDF Embedder block shows a live preview of your document while you edit. Pick a PDF file from the block sidebar, change a setting, and the preview updates to match what visitors will see on the front end. What can you embed? Any PDF file, whether it lives in your Media Library or in another folder on your site. Embed unlimited PDFs across posts, pages, and custom post types. Site owners use PDF Embedder to display: Restaurant menus and price lists Ebooks, guides, whitepapers, and research reports Product catalogs, brochures, and lookbooks Newsletters, magazines, and annual reports User manuals and technical documentation Worksheets, lesson plans, and other course materials Sheet music, church bulletins, and event programs Real estate flyers, floor plans, and legal documents Resumes and portfolios Visitors read the document right on the page: no new tab, no forced download, and no Adobe Acrobat or third-party account required. How it works Upload a PDF to your Media Library, or copy the URL of a PDF hosted anywhere else. Add the PDF Embedder block and pick the file from the block sidebar. In the Classic Editor or a page builder, use the shortcode instead. Publish. Visitors turn pages with the Next and Previous buttons and zoom in when part of a page is too small for their screen. The shortcode works anywhere shortcodes do: [pdf-embedder url="https://example.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Plan-Summary.pdf"] Site-wide defaults, such as width and toolbar position, live under Settings -> PDF Embedder, and any single embed can override them with its own block settings or shortcode attributes. See the Plugin Instructions for sizing options and other ways to customize. Works with membership, e-commerce, and course plugins PDF Embedder renders through a regular shortcode and block, so the viewer works anywhere your post content does, including pages that other plugins restrict or sell access to. Sell access to premium PDF content, such as ebooks, reports, or research papers, by embedding it on pages protected with MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro, Restrict Content Pro, or WooCommerce Memberships. Deliver handouts and workbooks inside courses built with LearnDash, LifterLMS, or Tutor LMS. Show a free sample chapter on a WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads product page, and deliver the full ebook after purchase. Embed several PDFs on one page to build a simple PDF document library for your team, school, or members. On the Pro plan of PDF Embedder Premium, you can pair restricted pages with the secure viewer and watermarks, so members read documents online while the original file stays hard to download. What users say Site owners tend to stay with PDF Embedder for years. Here is what they say: “One client wanted to display PDF newsletters in a way that was clean, user-friendly, and easy to scroll through. That’s when I discovered WP PDF Embedder. It does the job beautifully, making PDFs look professional and effortless to navigate. Since then, it has become my go-to recommendation for any client who needs to showcase PDF content on their website.” — Vera Schafer “I have been using PDF Embedder for well over ten years. It’s just a great app. Can’t recommend it enough.” — Rich Calo “I have been using this plugin (both the free version and the pro version) for a number of years on various clients’ websites. It is easy to set up, does what it needs to and just works the way a plugin should. I highly recommend it.” — DebsWebs “I’ve been using PDF Embedder Secure for 3 years now, and it helped me sharing my paid content securely, preventing malicious people from buying my PDF files and then sharing them illegally everywhere. PDF files are chopped, digested, watermarked, unaccessible even if someone finds the direct link.” — Daniele Benedettelli Go further with PDF Embedder Premium In the free plugin, there is no download button and links inside the PDF are not clickable – the viewer is intentionally simple to fulfill the “read online” goal. PDF Embedder Premium adds those and more: Download button in the toolbar, so visitors can save your document for later. Working hyperlinks, both within the document and out to any other page. Continuous scroll – readers scroll through pages naturally instead of clicking through them. Mobile-friendly full screen mode – when the document renders narrower than a width you set, as it does on most phones, it displays as a thumbnail with a large “View in Full Screen” button. The document opens with the full focus of the mobile browser, and readers swipe between pages instead of clicking buttons. Jump to page – type a page number in the toolbar to go straight there. Full-text search – visitors search the text of your PDF documents from the toolbar and jump straight to matching pages. View and download tracking – see which documents people actually read. Elementor widget with the same options as the block and a live PDF preview in the Elementor editor. Secure viewing (Pro plan) – the PDF is encrypted during transmission, so it is difficult for a casual user to save or print the original file, and your document is far less likely to end up outside your site. Watermarks (Pro plan) – overlay any text, including the logged-in user’s name or email address, to discourage sharing of screenshots. Automatic PDF thumbnails (Elite plan) – every PDF in your Media Library gets an image thumbnail to use as a featured image, a clickable download link, or the file’s icon in the Media Library. Every plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee: if Premium is not a fit, you get a refund, no questions asked. Compare Premium plans on wp-pdf.com Better than Google Drive embeds, Scribd, Issuu, and other PDF tools The usual ways to embed a PDF without a plugin – an iframe snippet, the Google Drive or Google Docs viewer, or a service like Scribd, Issuu, FlippingBook, FlipHTML5, or DocDroid – hand your document to servers you don’t control. It loads at their speed, carries their branding, and can disappear or change terms at any time. You may have also tried other WordPress PDF plugins, such as EmbedPress, Embed Any Document, PDF Poster, Wonder PDF Embed, PDF.js Viewer, or flipbook plugins like DearFlip and 3D FlipBook. Most rely on iframes or third-party viewers to display the document. PDF Embedder keeps everything on your own site: your files, your server, your data. That is better for page speed, better for privacy, and more reliable for your visitors. With thanks to the Mozilla team for developing the underlying pdf.js technology used by this PDF viewer plugin. Branding guidelines PDF Embedder is a product of wp-pdf.com. When writing about this WordPress PDF plugin, please use the correct branding: PDF Embedder (correct) PDFEmbedder (incorrect) PDF Embeder (incorrect) PDF Imbedder (incorrect)