ACF Pro • PHP, Shortcode • Beginner • 10 minutes

Create an ACF Field Shortcode in WordPress

Display simple Advanced Custom Fields values anywhere WordPress accepts a shortcode with one reusable PHP snippet.

FREE

The Problem

Display an ACF Field Anywhere You Need It

The value already exists in Advanced Custom Fields, but the place where you want to display it only accepts a shortcode. A small reusable shortcode lets you output simple ACF field values without rebuilding the template.

The Fix

1. Add the PHP snippet

Add this with the Code Snippets plugin or a child theme. In Code Snippets, omit the opening PHP tag.

function wpbn_acf_field_shortcode( $atts ) {
    $atts = shortcode_atts(
        array(
            'name'    => '',
            'post_id' => '',
            'before'  => '',
            'after'   => '',
        ),
        $atts,
        'acf_field'
    );

    if ( empty( $atts['name'] ) || ! function_exists( 'get_field' ) ) {
        return '';
    }

    $field_name = sanitize_key( $atts['name'] );
    $post_id = $atts['post_id'] !== ''
        ? sanitize_text_field( $atts['post_id'] )
        : get_the_ID();

    $value = get_field( $field_name, $post_id );

    if ( is_array( $value ) || is_object( $value ) ) {
        return '';
    }

    if ( $value === '' || $value === null || $value === false ) {
        return '';
    }

    return wp_kses_post( $atts['before'] )
        . esc_html( (string) $value )
        . wp_kses_post( $atts['after'] );
}
add_shortcode( 'acf_field', 'wpbn_acf_field_shortcode' );

2. Use the ACF Field Name

Use the field’s Field Name, not its label. Example:

[acf_field name="manufacturer"]

3. Place it where shortcodes are processed

Paste the shortcode into a Shortcode block/module or another WordPress area that runs shortcodes. On a single post or CPT entry, it automatically reads from the current post.

4. Optional: target another post

Add a post ID when you need the value from a specific post:

[acf_field name="manufacturer" post_id="123"]

5. Optional: add text before or after

The snippet also accepts safe before/after output:

[acf_field name="manufacturer" before="Brand: <strong>" after="</strong>"]

This version is intentionally for simple single-value fields. Repeater, Gallery, Relationship and Image fields need their own output logic.