20 Advanced Custom Fields Interview Questions and Answers

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a WordPress plugin that allows developers to easily create custom fields for their websites. When interviewing for a web development position, you may be asked questions about your experience with ACF. Being prepared and understanding the types of questions you may be asked can help you confidently answer any questions you may have during the interview. In this article, we review some of the most common ACF interview questions and the best way to respond.

Advanced Custom Fields Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Advanced Custom Fields interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is ACF?

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a WordPress plugin that allows users to easily add custom fields to their posts, pages, and other content types. It provides an intuitive interface for creating and managing custom fields, allowing users to quickly create complex data structures without having to write any code. ACF also offers a wide range of field types, including text, images, galleries, maps, and more. With its powerful API, developers can extend the functionality of ACF even further by adding custom functions and filters. In short, ACF makes it easy to customize WordPress sites with custom fields, giving users greater control over how they display and manage their content.

2. Can you explain what a field group is?

A field group is a collection of custom fields that are grouped together in Advanced Custom Fields. Field groups allow users to organize their custom fields into logical sections, making it easier for them to manage and access the data they need. Field groups can be used to create different types of content such as post types, taxonomies, user profiles, and more. Each field group contains one or more custom fields which can be configured with various settings such as labels, instructions, and other options. Field groups also provide an easy way to add new fields to existing content without having to manually enter each field individually.

3. How many types of fields are available in Advanced Custom Fields?

Advanced Custom Fields offers a wide variety of field types to choose from. There are over 30 different field types available, including text, number, email, radio buttons, checkboxes, select dropdowns, date pickers, true/false switches, and more. Additionally, there are several specialized fields such as Google Maps, WYSIWYG editors, oEmbed, and galleries. All of these field types can be used to create custom meta boxes and user interfaces for WordPress websites. With Advanced Custom Fields, users have the ability to customize their content in any way they desire.

4. What do you understand about the “Location Rules” feature in ACF?

Location Rules in Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) allow users to control where a field group is displayed. This feature allows for greater flexibility and customization when creating custom fields, as it enables the user to specify exactly which pages or posts the field group should appear on. Location rules can be set based on post type, page template, taxonomy, and more. Additionally, ACF also provides an “options page” setting that allows users to create global options that are accessible from any page or post. With this feature, users can easily add custom fields to their entire website without having to manually add them to each individual page or post.

5. Is it possible to create custom fields for taxonomies using Advanced Custom Fields? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to create custom fields for taxonomies using Advanced Custom Fields. This can be done by creating a new field group and setting the location rule to “Taxonomy Term”. From there, you can select which taxonomy you would like to add the custom fields to. Once selected, you can then add any number of custom fields to that particular taxonomy term. These custom fields will appear on the edit screen for each individual taxonomy term, allowing users to easily enter data specific to that term.

6. What happens if we set the return value as an array while creating a new field group?

When creating a new field group, setting the return value as an array will allow for more control over how the data is stored and retrieved. This can be useful when dealing with complex data structures or when needing to store multiple values in one field. By using an array, developers are able to easily access specific pieces of data without having to manually parse through the entire set of data. Additionally, this allows for easier manipulation of the data, such as sorting or filtering, which can help improve performance.

7. What’s the difference between “post_id” and “page_id”?

Post_id and page_id are two different parameters used in Advanced Custom Fields. Post_id is a parameter that allows users to specify which post the custom field should be associated with. This can be useful when creating multiple posts with similar content, as it allows for easy customization of each post. Page_id, on the other hand, is a parameter that specifies which page the custom field should be associated with. This is especially helpful when creating pages with unique content, as it allows for more control over how the page looks and functions.

8. What are some best practices when developing with Advanced Custom Fields?

When developing with Advanced Custom Fields, it is important to keep a few best practices in mind. First and foremost, developers should ensure that they are using the most up-to-date version of ACF available. This will help to ensure that any new features or bug fixes are taken advantage of.

Second, developers should take the time to plan out their custom fields before beginning development. This includes deciding which field types to use, what data should be stored in each field, and how the fields should be organized. Doing this ahead of time can save time and effort during the actual development process.

Third, developers should make sure to properly document their custom fields. This includes providing clear descriptions for each field as well as noting any special instructions or considerations when working with them. Proper documentation makes it easier for other developers to understand and work with the custom fields.

Finally, developers should test their custom fields thoroughly before deploying them into production. This helps to ensure that all of the fields are functioning correctly and that there are no unexpected bugs or issues. Testing also allows developers to catch any potential problems early on, saving time and money down the line.

9. What is the purpose of get_field() function?

The get_field() function is a powerful tool used in Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to retrieve data from custom fields. It allows developers to easily access and display the values of custom fields on their WordPress websites. This function can be used to retrieve single values, multiple values, or even entire field groups. By using this function, developers are able to quickly and efficiently create dynamic content for their sites without having to manually enter each value into the database. Additionally, it provides an easy way to update existing content with new values as needed.

10. What does the acf_form() function do?

The acf_form() function is a powerful tool that allows users to quickly and easily create forms for custom fields. It enables developers to create forms with all the necessary fields, including text, radio buttons, checkboxes, select boxes, and more. The form can be used to add or edit data in the WordPress database, allowing users to customize their content without having to manually enter it into the database. Additionally, the acf_form() function also provides validation capabilities, ensuring that only valid data is entered into the database. This helps ensure accuracy and consistency across the website.

11. What’s the difference between get_field() and the_field()?

Get_field() is a function used to retrieve the value of a specific field from the WordPress database. It returns the value as a string, allowing developers to manipulate and display it however they wish. On the other hand, the_field() is a template tag that displays the value of a specified field directly on the page. This makes it easier for developers to quickly add dynamic content to their pages without having to write any additional code. Both functions are part of the Advanced Custom Fields plugin, which allows users to create custom fields in the WordPress admin area.

12. What do you know about the repeater field type?

The repeater field type is a powerful tool within Advanced Custom Fields. It allows users to create multiple sub-fields which are repeated and can be used in a flexible, repeatable manner. This makes it ideal for creating complex data structures such as galleries, testimonials, or other repeating content. The repeater field type also supports the use of nested fields, allowing users to further customize their data structure. With this feature, users can easily add additional levels of complexity to their data structure without having to manually code each individual element. Additionally, the repeater field type provides an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to manage and update the data structure.

13. What’s the main benefit of using flexible content over multiple instances of advanced custom fields?

The main benefit of using flexible content over multiple instances of Advanced Custom Fields is the ability to create a more organized and efficient workflow. Flexible content allows users to group related fields together, making it easier to manage and update content. This also makes it simpler for developers to quickly identify which fields are associated with each other. Additionally, when creating complex layouts, flexible content can be used to easily add or remove sections without having to manually adjust all the individual fields. This saves time and effort in the long run, as well as reducing the risk of errors.

14. What do you understand by conditional logic in ACF?

Conditional logic in Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a feature that allows users to control the visibility of fields based on certain conditions. This means that when creating custom fields, users can set rules for when those fields should be displayed or hidden. For example, if a user wanted to display a field only when a specific page template was selected, they could use conditional logic to make this happen. Conditional logic also allows users to create complex relationships between different fields and data sources, allowing them to create dynamic content that changes depending on the context.

15. When should I use PHP instead of HTML in my templates?

When creating templates with Advanced Custom Fields, it is important to consider when to use PHP instead of HTML. Generally speaking, PHP should be used when the template requires dynamic content that needs to be generated from a database or other source. For example, if you need to display data from an ACF field in your template, then using PHP would be necessary. Additionally, PHP can also be used for more complex logic such as conditionals and loops. This allows developers to create more powerful and flexible templates. Ultimately, the decision of whether to use PHP or HTML will depend on the specific requirements of the project.

16. What are the different ways of adding JavaScript to your WordPress theme?

There are several ways to add JavaScript to a WordPress theme. The most common way is by using the wp_enqueue_script() function, which allows developers to easily enqueue scripts and stylesheets in their themes. This function can be used to include both external libraries as well as custom scripts written specifically for the theme. Additionally, it ensures that any dependencies are loaded before the script itself.

Another option is to use the wp_register_script() function, which registers a script with WordPress but does not actually enqueue it. This is useful when you need to register a script without immediately loading it on the page. It also allows you to specify additional parameters such as version numbers or localization strings.

Finally, some developers prefer to directly embed JavaScript code into their theme files. While this approach is quick and easy, it should generally be avoided since it makes it difficult to maintain and update the code over time.

17. Can you give me some examples of custom functions that can be used within a template file?

Yes, custom functions can be used within a template file to extend the functionality of Advanced Custom Fields. For example, one common function is get_field(), which allows users to retrieve data from a specific field in the WordPress database. This function can be used to display dynamic content on a page or post, such as an image gallery or contact form. Additionally, acf_form() is another useful function that enables users to create and edit posts directly from the front-end of their website. Finally, acf_register_block() is a great way to add custom blocks to the Gutenberg editor, allowing for more complex layouts and designs.

18. What are the differences between single-line comments and multi-line comments in PHP?

Single-line comments are used to add a single line of comment in the code. They start with two forward slashes (//) and can be placed anywhere in the code. Single-line comments are useful for adding brief notes or explanations about specific lines of code.

Multi-line comments, on the other hand, are used to add multiple lines of comment in the code. They start with /* and end with */. Multi-line comments are useful for adding more detailed information about sections of code that may span several lines.

19. What is the difference between include and require statements in WordPress?

In WordPress, the include and require statements are both used to add external files into a script. The main difference between them is that if an error occurs when using the include statement, the script will continue to execute; however, if an error occurs with the require statement, the script will stop executing.

The include statement is generally used for including functions or classes from other files, while the require statement is typically used for including configuration files. Additionally, the include statement can be used multiple times in a single script, whereas the require statement should only be used once per script.

Overall, it is important to understand the differences between the include and require statements in order to ensure that your code is running correctly and efficiently.

20. What are the most common mistakes made while writing code in PHP?

One of the most common mistakes made while writing code in PHP is not properly escaping user input. This can lead to security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection attacks, which can be exploited by malicious actors. Additionally, failing to use strict type checking when dealing with variables can cause unexpected results and errors. It’s important to always validate user input before using it in any way.

Another mistake that is often seen is forgetting to close open tags or leaving out semicolons at the end of lines. These small syntax errors can cause major issues if they are not caught early on. It’s also important to remember to use proper indentation and formatting when writing code, as this makes it easier for other developers to read and understand your code.

Finally, another common mistake is not taking advantage of built-in functions and libraries. Using existing functions and libraries can save time and effort, and can help ensure that your code is more secure and efficient. When working with Advanced Custom Fields specifically, it’s important to make sure you are familiar with all of its features and how to best utilize them.