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The field dependency on the custom field

Field dependency ties your other custom fields to the terms of one taxonomy, so a car listing can ask for mileage and a VIN while a trailer never sees those fields. This guide sets it up and explains how to read the relations table.

2 minute read

This article will teach you how to establish the field dependency for your taxonomy-type fields.

The field dependency allows you to show and hide specific fields on the search form and the form for adding an ad, depending on the selected terms of this taxonomy.

Turn on field dependency

  1. 1 Add a new custom field

    Go to Listivo Panel -> Custom Fields -> Add New Field. If you want to set the field dependency for an existing field, skip these adding steps.

    The Custom Fields screen of the Listivo panel with the Add New Field button highlighted and an arrow pointing at Custom Fields in the sidebar.
  2. 2 Set the type to Taxonomy

    Write down your field name and set the type as Taxonomy. Only this field type allows selecting the dependency option.

    The Add New Field form with arrows pointing at the Name box, the Type dropdown set to Taxonomy, and the Add Field button.
  3. 3 Edit the field

    Find your new field on the custom fields list and edit it.

    The custom fields list with a long arrow pointing at the Edit button in the Category row.
  4. 4 Tick Field dependency

    Mark the checkbox next to the Field dependency and save changes. Then edit your field and you will see the relations table.

    The Edit Field form for the Category field with the ticked Field dependency checkbox highlighted, described as showing and hiding fields depending on the selected terms of this taxonomy.

Reading the relations table

The relations table looks like this: along the top (1) you will find category names, and the first column (2) shows all fields you can set relations with.

The Relations table with the marker 1 on the header row of categories — Bus, Car, Motorcycle, Trailer, Truck — and the marker 2 on the first column of field names such as Price, Make, Model, Year, Mileage and VIN.

By default, the entire table has empty checkboxes. If all checkboxes are empty, it means that all fields are visible for each category (ex 1). Similarly, if all checkboxes are checked, it means that all fields are visible for each category (ex 1).

In the second example (ex 2), the fields are only visible in some categories as selected. The Mileage is not visible for trailers, and Motorcycle features are visible only for motorcycles.

The Relations table: Make (marked 1) has no boxes ticked, VIN (marked 1) is ticked for every category, Mileage (marked 2) is ticked for all but Trailer, and Motocykle features (marked 2) only for Motorcycle.
Hidden means hidden everywhere
The field dependency works for the adding page and the listing page. If you set the field as invisible, it will not be visible to any user.

Below, you can see how the form looks for trailers. As you can see, mileage and transmission are not visible.

The add-listing form for a trailer: Listing Name 'New Trailer', Category set to Trailer and Travel trailer, then Price, Make, Model, Year and VIN, followed by Offer type and Trailer features — with no Mileage or Transmission field.

Empty and ticked boxes on the search form

What is the difference between all checkboxes empty and marked? If the field has any checkbox mark, it is immediately visible on the search form. If the field has all checkbox marks, it is visible on the search after you pick a category.

The Relations table with arrows pointing at the Make row, which has no boxes ticked, and the VIN row, which is ticked for Car, Motorcycle, Truck, Bus and Trailer.

The Make field is visible on the search form. The VIN field is not visible.

The search page showing 26 results, with the sidebar Make filter highlighted between Category and Price, and no VIN filter anywhere in the sidebar.

The VIN field is visible after you choose one of the categories — in the example below, the car category.

The same search filtered to the Car category, where the sidebar now also lists Mileage, Transmission, Fuel type and Features, with a VIN box highlighted at the bottom.

Keep reading

Parent Field – how to build relation Make > Model e.g. BMW > M4 Troubleshooting missing fields, e.g. the location field not showing on the search form

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