Common Filter Setups
These recipes show proven Filter Posts Item configurations for common scenarios. Each assumes you already have a Filter Posts block and Archive Loop on the page with matching post types—see Quick Start if not.
Blog: filter by category
Goal: Visitors pick one category from a dropdown; posts update instantly.
| Block / setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Filter Posts → Post type | Post |
| Filter Posts → Update method | On change |
| Filter Posts Item → Source | Categories |
| Filter Posts Item → Filter type | Select |
| Filter Posts Item → First option text | All categories |
| Archive Loop → Post type | Post |
| Archive Loop → Main loop | On |
| Archive Loop → Loop template | Blog Style |
Tip: Enable Show count on the item to display post counts beside each category.
Blog: category + keyword search
Goal: Combine taxonomy filter with live keyword search.
Add two Filter Posts Item blocks inside one Filter Posts container:
Item 1 — Category
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Categories |
| Filter type | Select |
Item 2 — Search
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Search |
| Placeholder | Search articles… |
| Typing delay | 800 ms (lower = faster live search) |
Set Filter Posts → Update method to On change so both fields trigger AJAX. See Live search.
Blog: tag checklist
Goal: Multi-select tags with visible checkboxes.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Tags |
| Filter type | Checkbox / radio |
| Radio style | Checkbox (multi-select) |
| Multiple relation | OR |
| Show “All” option | On |
Custom post type: custom taxonomy
Goal: Filter a property CPT by property_type taxonomy.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Filter Posts → Post type | property |
| Filter Posts Item → Source | Taxonomy |
| Taxonomy | property_type |
| Filter type | Checkbox / radio |
| Archive Loop → Post type | property |
Replace slugs with your registered post type and taxonomy names.
WooCommerce: product category
Goal: Shop page filtered by product category in a sidebar.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Filter Posts → Post type | Product |
| Filter Posts → Location | Sidebar (vertical) |
| Filter Posts Item → Source | Categories |
| Filter type | Checkbox / radio |
| Collapsible categories | On (optional) |
| Archive Loop → Post type | Product |
| Archive Loop → Loop template | Shop Style |
Tutorial: Product category filter.
WooCommerce: price range
Goal: Dual-handle slider from store minimum to maximum price.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Product price |
| Filter type | Number / range |
| Range type | Double (min + max) |
| Min price | Store |
| Max price | Store |
| Range prettify | On (formats numbers) |
Pair with category filters in the same Filter Posts block. Tutorial: Product price filter.
WooCommerce: attribute swatches (colour)
Goal: Visual colour chips for a global attribute such as pa_colour.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Product attribute |
| Product attribute | pa_colour (or your attribute slug) |
| Filter type | Checkbox / radio |
| Swatches | On |
| Swatch source | WooCommerce |
| Swatch style | Circle |
Ensure attributes have colour values configured in Products → Attributes.
WooCommerce: attribute dropdown (size)
Goal: Compact size selector when swatches are not needed.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Product attribute |
| Product attribute | pa_size |
| Filter type | Select |
| Enable Select2 | On (recommended for long size lists) |
WooCommerce: stock status
Goal: Let visitors hide out-of-stock products.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Stock status |
| Filter type | Checkbox / radio |
| Show empty options | Off |
WooCommerce: search products
Goal: Keyword search within the product catalog.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Search |
| Placeholder | Search products… |
| Typing delay | 1000 ms |
Tutorial: Product search filter.
For search suggestions as visitors type, upgrade to WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro Auto Suggest.
Combining multiple filters
A typical shop sidebar stacks items vertically inside one Filter Posts block:
- Product category (checkbox)
- Price range (slider)
- Colour (swatches)
- Size (select)
Set Filter Posts → Update method to On button click if you prefer visitors to click Apply before the loop refreshes—or On change for instant faceted updates.
Enable Hide empty options on page load on attribute items so only relevant choices appear after category selection. See Empty filter options.
Archive page with pre-scoped loop
When the Archive Loop includes a category on load, add a matching category Filter Posts Item so the UI reflects the starting state. Enable URL sync globally so the address bar stays shareable—URL sync and shareable filters.
What's next
- Filter Posts Item block — All per-item settings
- Empty filter options — Hide irrelevant choices
- Product category filter tutorial — Full WooCommerce walkthrough