# Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
> [!NOTE] Overview
> Advanced Custom Fields is a powerful development tool that enables the creation and management of custom fields in WordPress, enhancing content management capabilities.
## Key Features
1. Field Types
- Text & Content
- Choice & Selection
- Relational
- jQuery
- Layout
- Custom Fields
2. Field Groups
- Location rules
- Conditional logic
- Field validation
- Group organization
3. Display Options
- Template integration
- Flexible content
- Repeater fields
- Option pages
## Usage Status
- **Recommendation Level**: Must Use
- **Pricing**: Free (Basic), $49/year (Pro)
- **Installation Type**: Development Plugin
## Pro Features
1. Advanced Fields
- Repeater field
- Gallery field
- Flexible content
- Clone field
2. Additional Features
- Options pages
- Block editor support
- Frontend forms
- Bidirectional relationships
## Integration Notes
- Works with:
- [[Elementor Pro]]
- [[Divi Website Builder]]
- Custom themes
- Page builders
## Development Usage
### 1. Basic Implementation
```php
// Get field value
$value = get_field('field_name');
// Display field value
the_field('field_name');
// Check if field exists
if(have_rows('field_name')):
while(have_rows('field_name')): the_row();
// Field content
endwhile;
endif;
```
### 2. Template Integration
```php
// Template usage
<?php if(get_field('field_name')): ?>
<div class="custom-content">
<?php the_field('field_name'); ?>
</div>
<?php endif; ?>
```
## Best Practices
1. Field Organization
- Use clear field names
- Group related fields
- Implement validation
- Document field usage
2. Performance
- Cache field values
- Optimize queries
- Use local JSON
- Monitor database impact
## Common Use Cases
1. Content Enhancement
- Custom meta boxes
- Additional post data
- User fields
- Term fields
2. Layout Building
- Flexible content
- Page builders
- Custom blocks
- Template parts
## Personal Experience
Essential plugin for WordPress development. The Pro version's features like repeater fields and flexible content are invaluable for complex sites. Great documentation and reliable performance.
## Alternatives
1. Custom Field Suite
2. Pods
3. Meta Box
4. CMB2
## Resources
- [Official Documentation](https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/)
- [WordPress Repository](https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-custom-fields/)
- [Pro Features](https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/pro/)
- [Developer Guide](https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/resources/guides/)