ECI: Custom Fields

Jul 16th, 2010 // In: Easy CSV Importer, Help // By: Ryan BayneComments 0

Custom Fields are what are created as part of WordPress posts or pages in order to add meta data to the page. Custom Fields have a Key which is the name of the Custom Field and they have a Value which is the meta data itself. First we type in the name of our Custom Field, that is the Key,some examples are listed below. You must then assign the column that holds the data that must go into that field, even if the data is not ready as it is within your csv file or project database. If you need the plugin to prepare your data before making it the finished value of a Custom Field, you may select an option from Data Functions. If you need a new Data Functions option please contact WebTechGlobal. Anything can be done to your data as part of the Post Creation procedure and only the most common will be provided by default.

Video Tutorial

Key Information

In an Easy Project, ECI will create a custom field for every column in your CSV file and the custom field keys will be your titles, this is to ensure maximum compatibility with as many themes as possible without having to change your file or wait for ECI to support your theme. You can configure custom fields manually if ECI does not yet support your theme.
If you create an Easy Project and you have a common theme, ECI will be able to configure your Custom Fields for you. If ECI does not support your theme in an Easy Project, simply create an Advanced Project. Please also request for your theme to be added to the plugin by commenting below, we may need a copy of your theme to test it properly depending on how any settings in the theme control panel effect your page.
You must name a custom field key the exact same as the keys your theme or other plugins have documented in order to work properly.
If you want to use data placement shortcodes in ECI. You must create a custom field for every shortcode that you plan to use. The key must be the exact same as the CSV file column title you wish to place in your design using a shortcode. Shortcodes allow a more dynamic content, important to many projects if you are updating your project data.

Custom Fields in Easy CSV Importer

Features

The custom field form has changed since this page was created.

Custom Field Key

The custom field key should not contain special characters other than underscore. The key should be lowercase in most cases due to it’s important use in database and allowing developers to make use of existing keys with more ease. Themes and plugins will have specific keys for custom fields, you cannot get it wrong else your theme or plugin will not work. Your keys must be perfect.

Column

This is simply the column of data that will be used to populate the custom fields for each post. Do not change anything for any existing custom field key on the form if you do not want to use that custom field. Columns will be used before the latest feature that allows token entry and before the default value obviously. You can leave Column on “NA” and use the token approach if you wish.

Token Design (new 22nd July 2011)

This feature allows you to paste tokens into the text areas and also add your own text. Doing this allows you to create highly unique content, great for Search Engine Optimisation. The flexibility this gives us to populate themes and plugins is unique. At this time the tokens are not displayed on this page, it is the first times tokens have been used on the Project Configuration page. You can find a list of your tokens on the Finish page, just copy and paste any number of them along with your own text into a text area.

The token design will not be used if you select a Column as Columns have priority. If you want to select a column that has null/empty/blank values and you want the token design to be used as a fall back then please comment below straight away. I will response as soon as possible and prepare the plugin to allow this.

Data Functions

This column has some handy abilities. Each one can be applied to data values before they populate custom fields. They modify data or trigger further actions to prepare for the data i.e. copying images to your websites server and using a local URL instead of external. This is important for dynamic affiliate URL which do not seem to work well in WordPress especially with premium themes.

Default Value

This does not take tokens, only strings (letters, numbers, special characters). It is a basic default/fall-back for when you cannot have an empty custom field value.

Easy Projects and Custom Fields

Custom Fields are also known as meta data for your posts. It is one of the most confusing areas for those new to WordPress. Easy CSV Importer makes it far easier by configuring them for you. ECI will create a custom field for every column in your CSV file by default, the key for the custom field is the name of your column. If your CSV files column titles are not exact matches to the custom field keys required in your theme, that is not a problem. The Easy Project system compares your CSV column names to many variations and attempts to pair columns up to each custom field key required by your theme.

This may not always be 100% accurate if you have column titles not expected by myself and the plugin.

Support can be added very easily. Request support for your theme by commenting at the bottom of this page and give full details of where we can obtain your theme or possible get a copy from yourself.

Below are themes that already have extra support. If your theme is not in the list, don’t worry Easy CSV Importer will still work and if your column titles are also your custom field keys then you won’t have a problem.

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