Do you want to allow users to filter posts and pages on your WordPress site? Recently, one of our users asked us how to add filters to their WordPress site allowing users to filter posts by category, tags, post types, etc. In this article, we will show you how to let users filter posts and pages in WordPress.
Why Let Users Filter Posts and Pages in WordPress?
By default, WordPress comes with categories and tags as a way for you to sort content into topics and for your users to easily find it.
However, users can only view one category, tag, or archive page at a time and it will only show one post type.
What if you wanted users to be able to filter content in more than one category or tag? How about allowing users to view posts, pages, and custom post types at the same time?
This kind of filtering can be particularly helpful when you have a lot of content, and you want users to filter it according to their own preferences.
Having said that, let’s take a look at how to easily let users filter posts and pages in WordPress.
Video Tutorial
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Allowing Users to Easily Filter Posts and Pages
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Search & Filter plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, the plugin will add a new menu item labeled Search & Filter to your WordPress admin bar. Clicking on it will take you to the plugin’s usage page with detailed documentation on how to use the plugin.
Search & Filter plugin comes with a shortcode which accepts different parameters to display the filtering options. You can use this shortcode in a post, page, or inside a text widget.
[searchandfilter fields="search,category,post_tag"]
You can also use the shortcode as a template tag in your WordPress theme files like this:
<?php echo do_shortcode('[searchandfilter fields="search,category,post_tag"]'); ?>
This will display the filtering options with search, category, and tags fields.
By default the plugin accepts search, taxonomy, post_type, and post_date as fields.
Let’s take a look at another example. This time we will include category, tags, post types, and date fields.
You will need to use the shortcode like this:
[searchandfilter fields="search,category,post_tag,post_types,post_date"]
Here is how it would look:
Now instead of using drop down select field, you can also use checkboxes and add labels for each field. To do that, you will need to add two more parameters to the shortcode.
If you use a separate page to display your blog posts, then you can add this shortcode to the page.
[searchandfilter headings="Select categories:" types="checkbox" fields="category"]
If you are using multiple fields, types, and headings, then you need to make sure that items are in the same order for each parameter.
Let’s see another example. This time we are adding category, tags, and post type fields with different headings and form field types.
[searchandfilter headings="Post type, Category, Tag" types="checkbox, select, select" fields="post_types,category,post_tag"]
This is how it would appear on your site:
Please refer to plugin’s documentation page for more ways to use the shortcode.
You can also use these shortcodes inside a text widget. If the shortcode doesn’t work in your text widget, then please see our guide on how to use shortcodes in your WordPress sidebar widgets.
We hope this article helped you learn how to let users filter posts and pages in WordPress. You may also want to see these actionable tips to drive traffic to your WordPress site.
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How can I create filter options in a single post?
For example, If I am interested in writing a post “Necessary Tools to Build A Website” and want to include filter options like Purpose Based Tools (like SEO, Design etc.) and the Price option (Free or Paid), how do I do it?
Great plugin, but have some limitations and bugs.
1. No Reset button.
2. When I uncheck all checkboxes and press Submit, it transfers to the front page.
Maybe there’s an option Show all?
First of all, thanks for the post.
I would like to know if it is possible to filter the search from the group of fields, created from the “Advanced Custom Fields – v. 4.4.12” plugin.
Also by default, the search would be restricted to a custom post type from the “Custom Post Type UI – v. 1.5.8” plugin.
Hi, I had created employ database on tablepress and i want to filter in front end employ according to year wise for example if i select 2013 this shows only those employ which join in 2013.
i have perform lot of research but i cant find free pluggin according to my need.
please help me for suggestion.
thanks
Thanks a lot for the comprehensive article. Do you know if it is also possible to have only certain tags in the dropdowns?
Great Job. just one last question. Instead of searching the post, is it possible to search category using the search string? I would like to show all the possible post in search page and then the category if it matches the search string (partially or fully).
Hi,
Great as always.
I just wonder would the use of this plugin be recommended on a site with many posts? Will it not lead to slower load time?
Thanks
Could you please give us a little bit deeper look to your behind the scenes? (in Blueprint post you write only what you’re using – you can also write if you want, how to properly set up plugins, themes…)
For example tutorial on 10 tips and trick to masterize or customize Genesis Framework would be really really helpful.
Hi WPBeginner!
In relation to the filters of new taxonomies, a question of initiation, how I can visualize in the post a new taxonomy for a second type of labels that later I can filter with this plugin?
It would be an interesting topic.
Thanks for you post!
Your suggestions for allowing users to filter posts are welcome, but the explanation of how and where to insert the required shortcode is beyond this beginner’s understanding.
Hi Omer,
You can add the shortcode in a post or page. If you want to display the filter site-wide then you will need to edit your WordPress theme files and use the template tag instead.