How to Access and Display Custom Fields from Pods and ACF in Unlimited Elements For Elementor

Many WordPress users rely on custom fields to add unique data to their posts and custom post types. Plugins like Pods and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) are popular for this. However, integrating these custom fields into your Elementor designs with the 'Unlimited Elements For Elementor' plugin can sometimes be confusing, especially when the fields don't appear as expected. This guide will walk you through the common issues and their solutions.

Why Can't I See My Custom Field Variables?

The most common reason for a custom field not appearing is a conflict in the variable naming convention. Both Pods and ACF use the cf_ prefix for their custom field variables within the Unlimited Elements plugin. If you have both plugins active, this can cause a conflict where the variables from one plugin override the other, making them inaccessible in your widget's HTML or dynamic data settings.

How to Troubleshoot and Resolve Custom Field Issues

Step 1: Use the Built-in Debugger

Unlimited Elements provides a powerful tool to see all available variables for your current item. This is the first place you should look.

1. Edit your Elementor page with the Unlimited Elements widget.
2. Navigate to the widget's Advanced Tab.
3. Look for an option labeled Debug Variables or similar and enable it.
4. This will output a list of all available variables (e.g., {{item.cf_my_field}}, {{current_post.cf_my_field}}) that you can use in your HTML or JavaScript tabs.

Step 2: Identify and Resolve Naming Conflicts

If you do not see your specific custom field in the debug list, a plugin conflict is likely. As seen in the community threads, having both Pods and ACF active can cause this. To resolve it:

1. Deactivate one plugin temporarily: Try deactivating either Pods or ACF to see if the missing variables from the other plugin appear in the debug list. This will confirm the conflict.
2. Consider your setup: If you do not need both plugins for this specific site, you may choose to use only one to avoid the issue entirely.

Step 3: Accessing Complex Repeater Field Data

Accessing data within a repeater field (from Pods or ACF) requires looping through the array. The debug output will show the main array variable (e.g., {{item.cf_my_repeater}}). You can then use a Twig for loop to access individual fields within each repeater item.

{% for repeater_item in item.cf_my_repeater %}
    <div>
        <span>Name: {{ repeater_item.name }}</span>
        <span>Description: {{ repeater_item.description }}</span>
    </div>
{% endfor %}

Note: The exact sub-field names (like name or description) will be shown in the debug output when you are within the scope of the repeater array.

Step 4: Accessing Image Sizes from Custom Fields

When an image custom field returns an array, it often contains a sizes object with various pre-defined image sizes. To get a medium-sized image URL, you would use a path like this:

{{ item.cf_my_image.sizes.medium }}

Always check the debug output to see the full structure of the image array and the exact keys available for the sizes object.

When to Seek Further Help

If you have followed these steps and your custom fields are still not accessible, the issue might be more complex. The 'Unlimited Elements For Elementor' team maintains its own official support channel for handling specific conflicts and customization requests that go beyond general community knowledge.

By using the debug tool and understanding how custom field conflicts arise, you can effectively integrate dynamic content from Pods, ACF, and other plugins into your Elementor pages.