Creating an “if exists” for custom field keys

parthatel
(@parthatel)

15 years, 9 months ago
How do I create an “if” for the custom fields? For example, if my KEY ID is $example, how do I make it so that only content will only appear if the key $exampleis available.

WordPress uses the
```
<?php if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
<?php endwhile; else: ?>
    <?php endif; ?>
```
I’ve also seen:

<?php if(function_exists('the_ratings')) { the_ratings(); } ?>

So can’t I make a

<?php if(key_exists('$example')) {whatever i want here } ?>

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

MichaelH
(@michaelh)

15 years, 9 months ago

Take a look at the code from the plugin, Redirectify for an example:

Thread Starter parthatel
(@parthatel)

15 years, 9 months ago

Srry, I’m just a beginner at php. I still have no clue.

Dalton Rooney
(@daltonrooney)

15 years, 9 months ago

There’s a plugin that makes this very easy:

http://coffee2code.com/archives/2004/06/30/plugin-get-custom/

Follow the instructions for adding it to your template, I think by default if there is no matching key, it outputs nothing.
Moderator Samuel Wood (Otto)
(@otto42)

WordPress.org Admin

15 years, 9 months ago
A plugin is not necessary, all that you need is built into WordPress.
```
if (get_post_meta($wp_query->post->ID, $example_key, true) != '') {
whatever
}
```
Thread Starter parthatel
(@parthatel)

15 years, 9 months ago

@otto, the code doesn’t work
chad_coleman
(@chad_coleman)

15 years, 9 months ago
```
<?php if ( get_post_meta($post->ID, 'your_key_name', true) ) { ?>
<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "your_key_name", $single = true); ?>
<?php } ?>
```
Just swap out both instances of ‘your_key_name’. Remember this belongs in the loop. And I always encourage you to read the WordPress Codex.

A good example:
```
<?php if ( get_post_meta($post->ID, 'header_image', true) ) { ?>

<img src="<?php bloginfo('url'); ?>/wp-content/uploads/<?php the_time('Y/m'); ?>/<?php echo get_post_meta($post->ID, "header_image", $single = true); ?>" alt="<?php the_title(); ?>" />

<?php } ?>
```
Moderator Samuel Wood (Otto)
(@otto42)

WordPress.org Admin

15 years, 9 months ago

@parthatel: Yes, it does. I use code like that all the time.

Try it again, you messed up somewhere. The above code *works*.

jzo
(@jzo)

15 years, 9 months ago

Good stuff,

Thank you guys.