rwmb_get_value

rwmb_get_value is a helper function that helps you get a field value.

It's actually a wrapper of get_post_meta() function with some additions to match the way Meta Box saves field values in the database.

It automatically handles cloneable fields as well as fields with multiple values (like post, taxonomy, or checkbox list).

It also adds some additional information to the returned value (such as image info) to make it's easier for developers.

Arguments

This function accepts 3 arguments as follows:

rwmb_get_value( $field_id, $args, $object_id );

Name	Description
$field_id	The field ID. Required.
$args	Extra arguments for some field types (like size for image_advanced) or for another object type (like getting values for terms or users). Can be an array or a string in format param1=value1&param2=value2.
$object_id	Object (post, term, user) ID. If you need to get value from an option (using MB Settings Page), object ID is the option name. If not present, the current post ID is used.

Returned value

• If the field has a single value (not multiple nor clone), then the function returns that value.
• If the field has multiple values (multiple, clone, or the field type is group), then the function returns an array of values.

Returned value format

Depending on the field types, the returned value can be different. Please refer to each field type in the Fields section for more details.

Examples

Getting the value of a text field:

<p>
    <strong>Location:</strong> <?= rwmb_get_value( 'location' ) ?>
</p>

Getting the value of a radio field from a post with ID 123:

<?php
$layout = rwmb_get_value( 'layout', '', 123 );

if ( $layout === 'content-sidebar' ) {
    get_template_part( 'main-content' );
    get_template_part( 'sidebar' );
} elseif ( $layout === 'full-width' ) {
    get_template_part( 'main-content' );
}

Getting image URL from a single image field:

<?php $image = rwmb_get_value( 'cover', ['size' => 'full'] ) ?>
<p>
    <strong>Cover image:</strong>
</p>
<p>
    <img src="<?= $image['url'] ?>">
</p>

Displaying a gallery with lightbox effect using an image advanced field:

<?php $images = rwmb_get_value( 'gallery', ['size' => 'thumbnail'] ) ?>

<div class="gallery">
    <?php foreach ( $images as $image ) : ?>
        <a href="<?= $image['full_url'] ?>" class="lightbox">
            <img src="<?= $image['url'] ?>">
        </a>
    <?php endforeach ?>
</div>

Displaying list of related posts from a post field (with "multiple" setting is enabled):

<?php $posts = rwmb_get_value( 'related' ) ?>

<div class="related-posts">
    <?php foreach ( $posts as $post ) : ?>
        <a href="<?= get_permalink( $post ) ?>">
            <?= get_the_title( $post ) ?>
        </a>
    <?php endforeach ?>
</div>

Displaying a cloneable group:

<?php $authors = rwmb_get_value( 'authors' ) ?>

<?php foreach ( $authors as $author ) : ?>
    <div class="author">
        <p>
            <strong>Name:</strong> <?= $author['name'] ?>
        </p>
        <p>
            <strong>Email:</strong> <?= $author['email'] ?>
        </p>
        <p>
            <strong>Address:</strong> <?= $author['address'] ?>
        </p>
    </div>
<?php endforeach ?>

Getting a term meta from a term with ID 15:

<?php $color = rwmb_get_value( 'color', ['object_type' => 'term'], 15 ) ?>

<div class="featured-section" style="background-color: <?= $color ?>">
    <h2>Featured section</h2>
</div>

Getting a setting:

<?php $hotline = rwmb_get_value( 'hotline', ['object_type' => 'setting'], 'site_option' ) ?>

<div class="topbar">
    <strong>Hotline:</strong> <?= $hotline ?>
</div>

Getting a field value from a custom table:

<?php $price = rwmb_get_value( 'price', ['storage_type' => 'custom_table', 'table' => 'properties'], 15 ) ?>

<p>
    <strong>Property price:</strong> <?= number_format( $price ) ?> USD
</p>

FAQ

Why does my site crash when I deactivate Meta Box?

If you're using this function in your theme, then they become unavailable when Meta Box is deactivated. And your site might crash in that situation.

You can fix that by going to the admin area » Plugins and re-activate Meta Box.

Alternatively, you can add the following code into your theme's functions.php file to make the error go away, however, the custom fields won't display, either.

if ( ! function_exists( 'rwmb_get_value' ) ) {
    function rwmb_get_value( $key, $args = [], $object_id = null ) {
        return null;
    }
}

# Link to this question

Why can't I get the label for a select field?

If you format the options of your select field as:

'options' => [
    'us' => 'United States',
    'uk' => 'United Kingdom',
    'au' => 'Australia',
],

Then when using with this function, it returns the value "us", "uk", or "au". To get the label like "United States", please use the rwmb_the_value() function.

# Link to this question