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Asked: 2024-09-25T11:15:51+05:30 In:

How can I retrieve the currently selected category objects in the WordPress block editor?

I’ve been diving deep into the WordPress block editor and trying to wrap my head around how to work with categories effectively. I’m genuinely curious about something that’s been giving me a bit of a headache: how can I retrieve the currently selected category objects while working in this environment?

Let me explain what I’m trying to do. I’m building a custom block that I want to enhance with some dynamic functionality based on the categories a user chooses when creating or editing a post. Essentially, I need to trigger specific behaviors or features depending on which categories are selected, but I can’t seem to figure out how to get that information.

So far, I’ve explored various hooks and APIs in the Gutenberg editor, but I keep hitting dead ends. I know the categories are stored in the block editor, but is there a straightforward way to access the currently selected category objects when the user is in the block editor? Like, is there a specific function or method I should be using?

I’ve seen some examples online that show how to retrieve categories in general but not specifically the ones that the user has selected. It feels like there’s something I’m missing or maybe an API call that’s not well documented. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s tackled this. It would be super helpful if you could share any code snippets or examples.

Also, are there any best practices I should keep in mind while working with this? I want to ensure that what I implement is efficient and doesn’t slow down the user experience. So, if you’ve had experience working with categories in the block editor and can share what you’ve learned, that would be amazing!

Thanks a ton in advance for any light you can shed on this. Your insights would really make a difference in getting my project off the ground!

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    2 Answers

    1. To retrieve the currently selected category objects in the WordPress block editor, you can utilize the `wp.data.select` API, specifically the `getPostType` and `getEditedPostAttribute` functions. After importing these functions, you can access the selected categories by fetching the ‘categories’ attribute of the post. Here’s a basic code snippet that demonstrates how to achieve this:

      
import { useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';
import { select } from '@wordpress/data/instance';

const MyCustomBlock = () => {
    const categories = useSelect((select) => {
        const { getEditedPostAttribute } = select('core/editor');
        return getEditedPostAttribute('categories') || [];
    }, []);
    
    console.log(categories);
    // Use `categories` to trigger dynamic behaviors in your block

      When implementing this functionality, it’s essential to consider performance best practices, such as memoization using `useSelect` to minimize unnecessary re-renders, which can affect the user experience. In addition, ensure that your block is optimized for rendering based on the selected categories, perhaps by using conditional logic or rendering placeholders until the categories are fetched. Overall, focusing on efficient data retrieval and state management will keep your block responsive and user-friendly.


    2. Okay, so I totally get where you’re coming from! Working with the WordPress block editor can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to categories. Let me see if I can help you out with that!

      To get the currently selected category objects while you’re in the block editor, you can use the useSelect hook from the @wordpress/data package. This hook allows you to access the WordPress store and retrieve data, including the categories attached to a post.

      
import { useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';
import { select } from '@wordpress/data';

const MyCustomBlock = () => {
    // get post ID (if needed)
    const postId = wp.data.select('core/editor').getCurrentPostId();

    // use useSelect to get selected categories
    const selectedCategories = useSelect((select) => {
        const { getPost } = select('core');
        const post = getPost(postId);
        return post ? post.categories : [];
    }, [postId]);

    // now you can use selectedCategories for your dynamic functionality
    console.log(selectedCategories);
    
    return 
      Your block content here!
      ;
};

      With this example, you just get the categories array of the current post. You can then use this array to determine what to do based on the selected categories.

      As for best practices, here are a few tips:

      • Performance: Make sure you cache results if you’re calling any heavy functions. Avoid using unnecessary computations inside your render method.
      • Cleanup: Always clean up any event listeners if you add them to prevent memory leaks.
      • Documentation: Keep an eye on the WordPress Block Editor documentation for updates and examples. It can be super helpful!

      Hope this helps you out! Good luck with your custom block, and don’t hesitate to ask more questions if you have any!


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