Export as PHP

OneMeta can export any field group as a clean, standalone PHP file. Once exported, you can use the field group in any WordPress theme or plugin — OneMeta does not need to be installed on the site.

This is particularly useful for ThemeForest themes, client projects, and distributable plugins where you cannot require end users to install a specific plugin for your fields to work.

---

How to Export

From the Builder:

1. Open any field group in the builder
2. Click the Export PHP button in the actions bar
3. A modal will appear showing the generated PHP code
4. Click Copy to Clipboard or Download PHP File

From the Dashboard:

1. Go to OneMeta → Field Groups
2. Click the Export icon on any field group card
3. Copy or download the generated code

From the Documentation page:

1. Go to OneMeta → Documentation
2. Scroll to Export Field Groups
3. Find your field group and click Export PHP

---

What the Export Looks Like

The exported file uses the onemeta_field_groups filter hook to register the field group:

php

<?php
/**
 * OneMeta Field Group: Hero Fields
 * Generated on: 2025-12-25 10:00:00
 *
 * @package OneMeta
 */

if ( ! defined( 'ABSPATH' ) ) {
    exit;
}

add_filter( 'onemeta_field_groups', function( $groups ) {

    $groups['hero_fields'] = [
        'title'     => 'Hero Fields',
        'type'      => 'post',
        'post_type' => 'post',
        'position'  => 'normal',
        'fields'    => [
            'hero_title' => [
                'type'        => 'text',
                'label'       => 'Hero Title',
                'description' => 'Main heading for the hero section',
                'placeholder' => 'Enter a title...',
                'default'     => '',
            ],
            'hero_image' => [
                'type'  => 'image',
                'label' => 'Hero Image',
            ],
        ],
    ];

    return $groups;
} );

---

Where to Put the Exported Code

Option A — Theme functions.php

Paste the exported code directly into your theme’s functions.php. Best for simple setups.

Option B — Separate file (recommended)

Create a dedicated file in your theme, e.g. inc/meta-fields.php, and paste the code there. Then include it from functions.php:

php

// functions.php
require_once get_template_directory() . '/inc/meta-fields.php';

This keeps your functions.php clean and your field groups organised.

Option C — Plugin

If you are distributing a plugin, include the exported file in your plugin and require it from your main plugin file.

---

Using the Fields After Export

Once the exported PHP is loaded, you retrieve field values exactly the same way — using onemeta_get_meta() and onemeta_get_user_meta(). The helper functions are provided by OneMeta if it is installed, but if it is not installed you need to include your own fallback:

php

// Simple fallback helper (add to functions.php if OneMeta may not be installed)
if ( ! function_exists( 'onemeta_get_meta' ) ) {
    function onemeta_get_meta( int $post_id, string $key, mixed $default = '' ): mixed {
        $meta_key = 'onemeta_' . $key;
        if ( ! metadata_exists( 'post', $post_id, $meta_key ) ) {
            return $default;
        }
        $value = get_post_meta( $post_id, $meta_key, true );
        return ( $value !== '' && $value !== null ) ? $value : $default;
    }
}

---

Notes

• Exported PHP registers fields via a filter hook — fields are not saved to the database when using this method
• The meta box still appears in the WordPress post editor when the exported PHP is loaded
• Field values are stored in wp_postmeta using the onemeta_ prefix — the same as when using the plugin directly
• You can mix both approaches — use the plugin for some field groups and exported PHP for others