Download Version
- Custom Post Type UI Extended v1.12.3
Introduction to Custom Post Type UI Extended
Product Overview
Custom Post Type UI Extended is a visual content presentation extension based on the popular Custom Post Type UI Extended plugin. It allows users to select any registered custom post type or content (e.g. WooCommerce products, Easy Digital Downloads items, etc.) and embed it into a page or post in various layouts (e.g. list, grid, slider, featured card, etc.), mainly through Gutenberg blocks and shortcode generator. It supports multi-site network environment, and CPT and other content types can be configured at the network level to save time and efficiency. In addition, the plugin provides a wealth of hooks and filters , developers can easily customize and extend the layout template .
Key Features
- Supports insertion of custom post type content via Gutenberg blocks without writing shortcodes
- Multiple built-in layout styles: lists, grids, sliders, cards, featured displays, etc. to meet different display needs
- Compatible with a variety of CPT data sources, including WooCommerce, EDD, LearnDash, and other plugin content
- Support for WordPress Multisite Networks to unify the creation and management of CPT content at the network level.
- Provide short code generator, can be flexibly embedded into the sidebar, footer and other arbitrary positions
- Rich development hooks and filters for easy customization of templates and extensions
Target audience and usage scenarios
Suitable for：
- Webmasters and content editors who want to improve their presentation but aren't familiar with the code
- Building a Multisite WordPress Network (Multisite) for Administrators
- E-commerce or course platform operators who need the flexibility to embed WooCommerce products, EDDs downloads or LearnDash content into their pages
- Plugin or theme developers who need to extend display templates
Usage Scenarios：
- Insert modules such as featured product displays, course recommendation boards, portfolios, etc. into the page
- Manage a unified CPT content structure and presentation across multiple sites in your network
- Quickly display specific customized content in different formats (e.g. slider, grid, list) and enhance visual appeal
- Embedding dynamic content modules in non-body areas such as sidebars, footers, etc.
Comparison of similar plugins
| Functions | Custom Post Type UI Extended | Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) | JetEngine | Meta Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign up for custom article types | ✅ (based on CPTUI) | ✅ (Pro version) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Register for a customized taxonomy | ✅ (based on CPTUI) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Field Support | ❌ (not directly created) | ✅ (Core Functions) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rich field types | ❌ (not directly created) | ✅ (30+ species) | ✅ | ✅ (40+ species) |
| Gutenberg Block Support | ✅ (Dedicated Display Block) | ✅ (Integrated through Meta Box) | ✅ | ✅ (MB Blocks) |
| Short code generator | ✅ (Common Data Source) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multi-site network support | ✅ (Centralized) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| No code content display | ✅ (Core Strengths) | ❌ (template code required) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Developer Friendly/Extensible | ✅ (Hooks/Filters) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dedicated database table support | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Page Builder Integration | ✅ (via shortcode/block) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Custom Post Type UI Extended is unique:
- A no-code solution focused on content presentation: The core strength of CPTUI Extended is its extremely simplified ability to display custom post type content. It provides a dedicated Gutenberg block and a universal shortcode generator that allows non-technical users to present custom post type data from any source (including WooCommerce, LearnDash, etc.) in a variety of beautiful layouts anywhere on the site without having to write any code . This fills a gap in front-end presentation for many CPT creation plugins, which often require additional code or complex template setups to render the data on the site .
- Powerful cross-plugin data compatibility: Its shortcode generator is capable of handling data from “any” post type on the site, which means it is not limited to CPTs created by CPTUI itself, but also seamlessly integrates and displays data from other popular plugins (e.g., e-commerce, education, membership systems). This broad compatibility provides unparalleled flexibility and content integration capabilities, allowing users to present structured content from different sources in a unified way, increasing the overall content value of the site.
- Excellent multi-site network support: For WordPress multisite environments, CPTUI Extended allows for unified registration of CPTs and taxonomies at the network level, greatly simplifying multisite content management and deployment. This ensures content consistency and operational efficiency across the network, which is a significant advantage for organizations or businesses managing multiple related sites, a feature not available in most other similar plugins.
Description of features specific to similar plugins:
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). ACF focuses on creating and managing highly flexible custom fields, providing rich field types (e.g. repeaters, flexible content) and controlling data structure through field groups . It is a powerful tool for content modeling , but its main focus is on back-end data entry , front-end presentation usually requires developers to write code .
- JetEngine. As a powerful toolkit for Crocoblock, JetEngine provides comprehensive dynamic site building capabilities, including custom article types, taxonomies, custom fields, relationship management, and support for storing CPT data in separate database tables to optimize performance for large projects. It is a comprehensive solution, but its feature richness can also come with a learning curve and potential performance optimization needs.
- Meta Box. Meta Box offers over 40 field types and 25+ extensions to support the creation of custom article types, taxonomies and meta fields, with an emphasis on code optimization and lightweight design. It also supports the creation of Gutenberg blocks through its MB Blocks component, but its core remains the creation and management of custom fields.
User Feedback Highlights
- “Quickly edit post types without having to write PHP every time”
- “Friendly interface, very easy to manage custom content types”
Suggestions for pairing with other plugins/themes
- with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Connectivity: Add more data to CPT and then display richer content with CPTUI Extended.
- With WooCommerce / Easy Digital Downloads: Direct display of products or downloadable item collections, support for buy button embedding and other layouts.
- Integration with page builders (e.g. Elementor, Brizy): CPTUI Extended blocks can be inserted in the page builder to make embedding display modules easier.
- Works with membership systems (e.g. MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro): Display exclusive content lists or recommendation boards accessible by different membership levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between CPTUI Extended and the free version of CPTUI?
CPTUI is responsible for “Register.” Customizing post types and taxonomies won't help you display content to the front-end; CPTUI Extended, on the other hand, provides blocks, shortcodes & templating systems that take care of the “Showcase.” Customize content and add multi-site unified management capabilities.
How do I insert custom post type content in Gutenberg?
Search in the block editor “Custom Post Type Display”CPTUI Extended can be invoked from a block, and after selecting the data source and layout, the page can be visually previewed and inserted. Since version 1.7.0, CPTUI has shifted to the Block approach, and all subsequent updates will be centered on blocks.
Can I continue to use shortcodes without using Block?
Can. Plug-ins are built-in Short code generatorThe short code can be copied to articles, sidebars and other locations after selecting article types, layouts and fields in the background; the short code program has been promised! Long-term backward compatibility.
What layouts are supported? Can they be customized?
There are 10 official layouts (list, grid, featured, slider, etc.), all of which can hide/show thumbnail, author, date, etc. fields on demand; starting with 1.11.x, it also adds Post Slider Rotation layout. For full customization, copy the template to the theme and modify the HTML/CSS.
Can I show CPT generated by WooCommerce products or other plugins?
Can. Both blocks and short codes can be read Any registered article type on the siteThis includes content generated by plugins such as WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, LearnDash, and more, with no additional adaptation required.
I'm running WordPress Multisite, how do I unify the creation of CPTs?
Create article types or taxonomies at once in "Web Admin Backend → CPTUI Extended". network level sharingYou can also specify, on demand, that it is enabled only at a single sub-site. This avoids duplicate configurations at each site.
How to change the thumbnail size or HTML class name?
Thumbnail size:pass cptui_extended_thumbnail_size Filter to large、full or custom sizes.
HTML Class Names and Structures: The plugin exposes multiple sets of filters to precisely adjust the output wrappers, list elements, etc.
What should I do if I lose CPT / Taxonomy while updating or batch editing?
Individual users have lost their original CPT after overriding the settings at one time for multiple sites. Recommendation:
- Export JSON before update Backup;
- Immediately after the batch operation, check for coverage in the web backend;
- If it has been lost, it can be restored in the backup JSON.
