Using has_blocks to check for blocks in WordPress posts
The has_blocks function in WordPress is a method that checks if a post or content string has blocks. This function is a part of the Gutenberg editor in WordPress, which uses blocks to build all types of content, replacing a half-dozen inconsistent ways of customizing WordPress, bringing it all together in a consistent block-editing experience.
When the has_blocks function is called, it examines the content to see if any blocks are present. If the content contains blocks, the function will return true. If no blocks are found, the function will return false. This can be useful in scenarios where you need to determine if a post or content string has blocks before performing certain actions or displaying content in a certain way.
For instance, you may want to apply specific styles or scripts only on pages or posts that contain blocks. By using the has_blocks function, you can make this determination and apply the necessary styles or scripts accordingly. This can help improve the efficiency of your website by only loading resources when they are needed.
Parameters Accepted by the has_blocks Function in WordPress
The has_blocks function in WordPress is designed to accept a specific set of parameters. Below is a detailed list of these parameters:
$post (int|string|WP_Post|null): This optional parameter can be the post content, post ID, or the post object. If no specific value is provided, it defaults to the global$post.
If the function does not receive any parameters, it will automatically use the global $post.
Return Value of the has_blocks Function
The has_blocks function in WordPress is designed to return a boolean value. This value indicates whether or not the post contains blocks.
Specifically, the function returns:
bool: A boolean value indicating whether the post has blocks.
Examples
How to Check if a Post Contains Blocks
if ( has_blocks( $post->post_content ) ) {
echo '<p>This post contains blocks.</p>';
} else {
echo '<p>This post does not contain blocks.</p>';
}
This code snippet checks if the content of a post contains any blocks. The has_blocks() function is used to check if the content of the specified post contains any blocks. If it does, it prints “This post contains blocks”. If it does not, it prints “This post does not contain blocks”.
How to Check if a Post Contains Blocks by ID
if ( has_blocks( get_the_ID() ) ) {
echo '<p>This post contains blocks.</p>';
} else {
echo '<p>This post does not contain blocks.</p>';
}
This code snippet checks if a specific post or page contains any blocks. The has_blocks() function is used with the get_the_ID() function to check if the post with the specified ID contains any blocks. If it does, it prints “This post contains blocks”. If it does not, it prints “This post does not contain blocks”.
Conclusion
The has_blocks function in WordPress serves as a method to check whether a post or content string has blocks. This function is particularly valuable when working with the Gutenberg editor in WordPress, as it allows developers to conditionally load scripts and styles only when they are needed. It can be utilized to enhance performance by preventing unnecessary loading of resources, thereby optimizing the overall efficiency of a WordPress site.