Philip Newcomer

<p>This plugin makes all custom fields (post meta) visible in the “Custom Fields” meta box on post edit screens.</p>


Show Hidden Post Meta

As a plugin developer, I create hidden post meta all the time and sometimes I need to see it to debug it. This does what it says it does, and well. Its simple and hasn't been updated for a while, but I'm glad it exists!

PS: If you need someone to take this one over, let me know. I'll keep it tested and updated if you're unable to.

Still works on 5.5

Makes hidden post meta visible on post edit screens

Ryan Welcher

<p><strong>Supercharge your queries without any code</strong></p>
<p>Tired of the limitations of standard Query Loop blocks? Advanced Query Loop gives you the superpowers you need to create sophisticated, dynamic content queries that go far beyond the basics. Whether you’re building a portfolio, news site, or complex content hub, this plugin puts you in complete control of your content display.</p>
<p><strong>What makes Advanced Query Loop special?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>No coding required</strong> – Everything works through an intuitive visual interface</li>
<li><strong>Powerful query building</strong> – Create complex queries that would normally require custom code</li>
<li><strong>Flexible and extensible</strong> – Built with developers in mind, but accessible to everyone</li>
<li><strong>Performance optimized</strong> – Smart caching and efficient queries keep your site fast</li>
</ul>
<h3>Support & Community</h3>
<p>Need help? We’ve got you covered!</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>WordPress.org Support Forum</strong>: <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/advanced-query-loop/" rel="ugc">Get help here</a></li>
<li><strong>GitHub Repository</strong>: <a href="https://github.com/ryanwelcher/advanced-query-loop" rel="nofollow ugc">Report issues & contribute</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Powerful Features at Your Fingertips</h3>
<h3>🏷️ Advanced Taxonomy Queries</h3>
<p>Build sophisticated taxonomy queries that let you filter content by multiple categories, tags, or custom taxonomies. Create complex relationships between different taxonomy terms to display exactly the content you want.</p>
<h3>📝 Multiple Post Types</h3>
<p>Don’t limit yourself to just posts! Query across multiple post types simultaneously. Perfect for portfolios, news sites, or any site that needs to display different types of content together.</p>
<h3>🎯 Smart Post Inclusion</h3>
<p>Take full control over which posts appear in your query:<br />
* <strong>Manual selection</strong>: Choose specific posts by title or ID<br />
* <strong>Child items only</strong>: Show only child posts of the current content<br />
* <strong>Dynamic filtering</strong>: Combine multiple inclusion rules</p>
<h3>🚫 Intelligent Post Exclusion</h3>
<p>Keep your queries clean and relevant:<br />
* <strong>Exclude current post</strong>: Automatically hide the post being viewed<br />
* <strong>Exclude a list of posts</strong>: Curate a list of posts to exclude from the query</p>
<h3>🔍 Advanced Post Meta Queries</h3>
<p>Create powerful meta queries without touching code:<br />
* <strong>Multiple conditions</strong>: Combine different meta fields and values<br />
* <strong>Flexible comparisons</strong>: Use equals, not equals, greater than, less than, and more<br />
* <strong>Logical operators</strong>: Combine queries with AND/OR logic<br />
* <strong>ACF integration</strong>: Works seamlessly with Advanced Custom Fields</p>
<h3>📅 Dynamic Date Queries</h3>
<p>Time-based content has never been easier:<br />
* <strong>Relative dates</strong>: Show content from last 1, 3, 6, or 12 months<br />
* <strong>Before/after current</strong>: Display content relative to the current date<br />
* <strong>Custom date ranges</strong>: Set specific start and end dates<br />
* <strong>Multiple date conditions</strong>: Combine different date rules</p>
<h3>📊 Flexible Sorting Options</h3>
<p>Sort your content exactly how you want:<br />
* <strong>Author</strong>: Sort by post author<br />
* <strong>Date</strong>: Sort by publication date<br />
* <strong>Last Modified</strong>: Sort by last update<br />
* <strong>Title</strong>: Alphabetical sorting<br />
* <strong>Meta Values</strong>: Sort by custom field values<br />
* <strong>Random</strong>: Shuffle your content<br />
* <strong>Menu Order</strong>: Use custom ordering<br />
* <strong>Name</strong>: Sort by post slug<br />
* <strong>Post ID</strong>: Sort by post ID<br />
* <strong>Comment Count</strong>: Sort by engagement<br />
* <strong>Included Posts</strong>: Sort by post inclusion order</p>
<h3>⚡ Performance Optimization</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Disable pagination</strong>: Reduce query overhead by turning off pagination when it is not needed</li>
<li><strong>Enable caching</strong>: Store query results in a transient for one hour to reduce database load on subsequent page loads. The caching toggle is unavailable when the order is set to Random, and switching to Random order will clear any existing caching setting</li>
<li><strong>Efficient queries</strong>: Optimized database queries for better performance</li>
</ul>
<h3>Customization & Extensibility</h3>
<h3>Filter Available Controls</h3>
<p>Don’t need all the features? No problem! You can easily hide specific controls using the <code>aql_allowed_controls</code> filter:</p>
<pre><code>add_filter(
    'aql_allowed_controls',
    function( $controls ) {
        // Remove specific controls you don't need
        $to_exclude = array( 'additional_post_types', 'taxonomy_query_builder' );
        return array_filter( $controls, function( $control ) use ( $to_exclude ) {
            return ! in_array( $control, $to_exclude, true );
        } );
    }
);
</code></pre>
<h3>Available Control Identifiers</h3>
<ul>
<li><code>'additional_post_types'</code> – Multiple post type selection</li>
<li><code>'taxonomy_query_builder'</code> – Advanced taxonomy queries</li>
<li><code>'post_meta_query'</code> – Meta field queries</li>
<li><code>'post_order'</code> – Sorting options</li>
<li><code>'exclude_current_post'</code> – Current post exclusion</li>
<li><code>'exclude_posts'</code> – Exclude a curated list of posts</li>
<li><code>'include_posts'</code> – Manual post inclusion</li>
<li><code>'child_items_only'</code> – Child post filtering</li>
<li><code>'date_query_dynamic_range'</code> – Date range queries</li>
<li><code>'date_query_relationship'</code> – Date query logic</li>
<li><code>'pagination'</code> – Pagination controls</li>
<li><code>'enable_caching'</code> – Query result caching</li>
</ul>
<h3>Developer-Friendly</h3>
<p>Advanced Query Loop is built with developers in mind:<br />
* <strong>Extensible architecture</strong>: Add your own custom controls<br />
* <strong>Well-documented hooks</strong>: Easy integration with your themes and plugins<br />
* <strong>Clean code</strong>: Follows WordPress coding standards<br />
* <strong>Comprehensive testing</strong>: Thoroughly tested for reliability</p>
<h3>Getting Started</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Install and activate</strong> the plugin</li>
<li><strong>Add a Query Loop block</strong> to your page or post</li>
<li><strong>Look for the “Advanced Query Loop” variation</strong> in the block inserter</li>
<li><strong>Configure your query</strong> using the intuitive controls</li>
<li><strong>Preview and publish</strong> your dynamic content!</li>
</ol>
<h3>Perfect For</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Portfolio websites</strong> – Showcase work with sophisticated filtering</li>
<li><strong>News and magazine sites</strong> – Display content by category, date, and more</li>
<li><strong>E-commerce sites</strong> – Filter products by custom fields and taxonomies</li>
<li><strong>Educational platforms</strong> – Organize content by course, level, or topic</li>
<li><strong>Real estate sites</strong> – Filter properties by location, price, and features</li>
<li><strong>Any site needing advanced content queries</strong> – The possibilities are endless!</li>
</ul>


Advanced Query Loop


I love it when a plugin does exactly what it says. It could use a spruce up but the author was transparent about this not being a production ready plugin. 


Great plugin


There is so much work to do in WordPress Handbook with blocks. However this plugin is marvelous and even it is a open book to learn how extend blocks in WordPress.



THANKS


You saved me


Awesome plugin which finally makes it possible to pick posts by hand. This is a feature i am missing in the default query block and here you have kind of search field where you pick your desired posts by hand. my last wish: would be great to have a drag and drop function in that field to change the order of the posts. 


Manual selection of posts is finally here


I really needed a way to create a custom archive page for a knowledge base custom post type using the full site editor. This plugin gave me all of the advanced query parameters that I expected core's query block to have.



I also really appreciate how easy it is to move from a query block to the advanced block. It's truly seamless.



Great job, and thank you so much!


Fantastic! Just What I needed!


pls note the CPT must have 'public' and 'show_in_rest' args set to true



i would give an additional half star if i could to excellent customer service and explanation by plugin author














idea is good - still testing out functionality


This is a brilliant plugin the surfaces all of the additional options that are often needed for the query block.



If you find yourself needing to exclude categories from queries, build more complex taxonomy queries or even build meta queries it is a must have.



Thanks so much for making this available to everyone Ryan and well done on a great plugin.


Excellent addition to the Query block

Transform your Query Loop blocks into powerful, flexible content engines! 🚀

Show Hidden Post Meta vs Advanced Query Loop