Since custom fields are going to be added to Joomla core soon (in version 3.7 later this year), we are going to take a sneak peak and see what the fuss is all about. Learn how you can start using custom fields now, using the free DPFields extension which the core custom fields are going to be based.

1. Custom Fields in Joomla
Presented at Sydney Joomla User
Group 14th June 2016
By Tim Plummer

2. What are custom fields?
• Allow you to add your own pieces of
information to Joomla content

3. Joomla 3.7
• It is planned that custom fields (com_fields)
will be added to Joomla core in version 3.7
later this year.
– Based on DP Fields (third party extension by
Digital Peak)
– https://github.com/joomla-projects/custom-fields
– https://joomla.digital-peak.com/blog/198-
custom-fields-in-joomla-3-6

4. Concept of DP Fields
• It’s not a CCK
• It’s not a standalone component
• Works like com_categories
• Can be integrated with third party extensions

5. What is DP Fields?
• Is a component and a system plugin
• Extends Jform
• Users JFormFields
• Is MVC coded
• Uses JLayouts

6. Installation
• DP Fields can be installed like any other third
party extension

7. System plugin
System plugin should be automatically enabled
during install

8. Where to find it?
Does not appear in components menu
But in article manager, you will see two new
views

9. Creating a field
Need to enter a title, select type, and enter a
label

10. Using custom fields
• In any article, you will now see the fields tab
with your custom fields

11. Displaying custom fields
• If data entered in field, it will automatically
appear at top of article

12. How to control where field appears
• To specify where in the article the field
appears, you can use
{{#dpfields}} {{label}}:{{{value}}} {{/dpfields}}

13. To stop fields appearing twice
• Create a field with alias disable-default-
rendering, type=Yes No, Default value=Yes

14. Now field only appears once

15. Inserting individual fields
• You can use the editor Insert field button if
you want to insert individual fields in different
places in your article rather than all together

16. For developer
• To integrate into your extension
– Add menu item sidebar
– Fields added to form during
onContentPrepareForm
– Fields are saved through onContentAfterSave
event

17. Versioning
• No versioning in com_fields (going into core),
but may be added in future. Original DP Fields
does have versioning.

18. Something to be aware of
• After you save field the first time, the type
cannot be changed.

19. Can I search custom fields?
• Basic search needs a join, look at the
plg_search_content plugin
• Smart search is automatically supported

20. Questions?

21. Tim Plummer
www.tamlynsoftware.com
@bfsurvey