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Custom Fields for Gutenberg

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Custom Fields for Gutenberg

by Jeff Starr

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Description

Restores the Custom Field meta box for the Gutenberg Block Editor.

Update: This plugin currently is not needed, as WordPress version 5.0+ displays Custom Fields natively. Just click the settings button (three dots) and go to Options, where you will find the option to display the Custom Fields meta box. So this plugin still works great, but it is recommended to use native WP custom fields instead. For more information, read this post.

Features

  • Easy to use
  • Clean code
  • Built with the WordPress API
  • Lightweight, fast and flexible
  • Works great with other WordPress plugins
  • Plugin options configurable via settings screen
  • Focused on flexibility, performance, and security
  • One-click restore plugin default options
  • Translation ready

Options

  • Specify the post types that should display custom fields
  • Exclude custom fields that are protected/hidden
  • Exclude custom fields with empty values
  • Exclude specific custom fields by name

Planned Features

  • Ajaxify adding of new Custom Fields
  • Ajax method to Delete custom fields

Privacy

This plugin does not collect or store any user data. It does not set any cookies, and it does not connect to any third-party locations. Thus, this plugin does not affect user privacy in any way.

Custom Fields for Gutenberg is developed and maintained by Jeff Starr, 15-year WordPress developer and book author.

Support development

I develop and maintain this free plugin with love for the WordPress community. To show support, you can make a donation or purchase one of my books:

And/or purchase one of my premium WordPress plugins:

Links, tweets and likes also appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

Installing the plugin

  1. Upload the plugin to your blog and activate
  2. Configure the plugin settings as desired
  3. Enable theme switcher via settings or shortcode

More info on installing WP plugins

Usage

Works just like the original “Custom Fields” meta box, except:

  • Edit custom field — make any changes and then click the Post “Update” or “Publish” button
  • Add new custom field — add new custom field, click “Update” or “Publish”, and then reload the page
  • Delete custom field — set the field custom field Key/Name to a blank value, click “Update” or “Publish”, then reload the page

Uninstalling

This plugin cleans up after itself. All plugin settings will be removed from the WordPress database when the plugin is uninstalled via the Plugins screen. Note: no custom fields will be removed, only plugin settings.

Like the plugin?

If you like Custom Fields for Gutenberg, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep development and support going strong. Thank you!

  1. Plugin Settings Screen (showing default options)

    Plugin Settings Screen (showing default options)

  2. Custom Fields displayed on Gutenberg screen

    Custom Fields displayed on Gutenberg screen

Is this plugin needed with WP 5.0 and beyond?

No. As of WordPress 5.0, Custom Fields are natively supported, so this plugin is not needed to view custom fields on posts (via the “Edit Post” screen). Understand however that custom fields may not be supported after 2022, so this plugin may again be useful if/when that happens. For more information, check out this post.

Got a question?

Send any questions or feedback via my contact form

Very helpful. Thanks!

By robmaric on April 29, 2025

Just what I needed.

Good plugin by a top dev

By shawfactor on September 3, 2019

This plugin does one thing and does it well. This is how all plugins should be!

Does as It Says

By archedmandible on April 11, 2019

Does exactly as it says. Thanks very much for making this, @specialk.

Again Jeff Starr saves the day...

By jeffmcnear on March 4, 2019

A beautiful solution ...

Good idea, but WordPress 5 can now display fields natively

By Abigailm on February 9, 2019

Like many others I was frustrated when my custom fields disappeared after the WP 5 upgrade & implementation of block editing. I installed this plugin and it worked... but it is quirky and difficult to work with. (Only one custom field can be saved at a time and once saved, a field cannot be easily edited or deleted). But it turns out that the custom field function can now be restored without a plugin as an advanced option setting. (With edit screen open, click the 3 dots in upper right, to the right of the gear icon; then click "options" on the drop down menu; then under the "Advanced Panels" section, check the "Custom Fields" box).

Great plugin

By itbuero on December 23, 2018

Helpful - it brings back the custum fields function. Only bad thing: using 3 custom fields, means that I have to save the page 3 times - each time after each custom field.

Displays old native interface for Custom Fields

By kkarpieszuk on October 29, 2018

If you are searching for the solution to display custom fields like they were displayed before Gutenberg - in native wp meta box - this is solution for you.

THANK YOU !!!

By sami770 on October 24, 2018

GREAT PLUGIN

Works good!

By franzdib on October 5, 2018

Thanks for saving my time! It works very well, and cf come backs 😀

Must-have for custom fields

By maxlefou on September 15, 2018

You, sir, are a darn life-saver!!! I don't understand why WordPress suddenly decided custom fields shouldn't be used with Gutenberg. Have they any idea of how useful custom fields can be?! Anyway, thank you for this. Also, I love how it looks exactly like the usual custom tags field used to be. Old users won't be lost. ^^

If you like Custom Fields for Gutenberg, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep development and support going strong. Thank you!

2.4.4 (2025/11/12)

  • Restores load_i18n()
  • Updates plugin settings page
  • Improves readme.txt documentation
  • Generates new language template
  • Tests on WordPress 6.9 (beta)

Full changelog @ https://plugin-planet.com/wp/changelog/custom-fields-gutenberg.txt

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