Filter Posts Block

The Filter Posts block is the container for your filter panel. It holds one or more Filter Posts Item child blocks and coordinates when filters run, how the panel is laid out, and how it connects to Archive Loop blocks on the page.

Add Filter Posts in the block editor, set the post type to match your loop, then nest Filter Posts Item blocks inside it for each filter field.

Main settings

Post type

Choose the same post type as the linked Archive Loop—Post, Product, or a custom post type. This value is passed to child Filter Posts Item blocks as context.

Filter update method

Controls when AJAX runs after a visitor changes a filter:

Option	Behaviour
On button click	Visitor selects filters, then clicks Search (or your custom button text) to apply. Shows Search and optional Reset buttons.
On change	Results update immediately when any filter value changes—no submit button required.

On button click suits complex shop filters where you want visitors to confirm before loading. On change suits live faceted browsing.

When using button mode:

• Filter button text — Label for the apply button (default: “Search”)
• Reset button text — Label for reset (default: “Reset”)
• Inline buttons — Place Search and Reset side by side

Update filter count

Controls how option counts refresh after a filter change:

Option	Effect
Update counts for all filters	Recalculates counts on every filter item
Do not update the selected filter group counts	Updates all items except the one the visitor just changed
Do not update any filter counts	Counts stay static after first load

Pair this with Show count on individual Filter Posts Item blocks.

Filter initially loaded posts only

When enabled, filtering is limited to posts that were in the initial page load—not the full database query. Use sparingly; most sites leave this off so filters search the complete catalog.

Synchronize filter items

When enabled, filter selections stay aligned across multiple Filter Posts blocks on the same page—choosing “Blue” in one panel selects “Blue” in all synchronized panels.

note

Synchronize filter items requires WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro or the Pro add-on that unlocks advanced filter panel features. In the free plugin this toggle is visible but disabled until Pro is active.

Works together with global URL sync so shared state appears in the address bar.

Layout settings

Filter location

Option	Layout
Sidebar (vertical filters)	Stacked filter fields—typical shop sidebar
Fullwidth (horizontal filters)	Filters in a horizontal row above the loop

Location affects default design presets in the Design tab.

Columns (fullwidth only)

When location is Fullwidth, set how many filter columns appear on desktop, tablet, and mobile. Use Column min width and Columns gap for responsive wrapping.

Appearance

Style	Availability
Normal	Filters always visible (free)
Toggle	Collapsible filter panel behind a button
Slide	Filters slide in from off-screen

note

Toggle and Slide appearances require WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro. See that guide for toggle start state, slide element ID, and close-button text.

Reset options

Setting	Description
Hide reset	Remove the reset button entirely
Align reset	Left, center, or right alignment
Show reset on update	Display reset only after filters have been applied

Stock visibility mode (WooCommerce)

Control whether out-of-stock products affect filter counts and empty options—Inherit uses the global plugin setting, or override per panel.

Extra settings

Scroll to section after AJAX update

After filters update, automatically scroll the page to the Archive Loop so visitors see fresh results without manual scrolling.

note

Scroll to section after AJAX update is a Pro feature. When enabled, choose target section, device (all/desktop/mobile), and fine-tune offset in pixels.

Mobile settings

On small screens, long filter panels can overwhelm the layout. Mobile settings collapse the panel behind a toggle.

Setting	Description
Toggle whole filter	Show a button that reveals/hides the entire filter panel on mobile
Include tablet	Extend toggle behaviour to tablet breakpoints
Toggle style	Button or alternative presentation
Toggle text / close text	Open and close button labels
Auto close	Close panel after visitor applies filters
Toggle individual items	Collapse each filter field separately
Sticky position	Pin the mobile toggle button while scrolling

note

Mobile filter toggle options require WPEnhanced Ajax Filter Blocks Pro.

Design basics

The Design tab styles the filter panel shell and shared elements:

• Panel background, border, spacing, and shadow
• Filter heading and item label typography
• Field inputs (background, focus state, font)
• Search, reset, and mobile toggle buttons
• Active filter parameter chips (when enabled on items)

Child Filter Posts Item blocks inherit field styling from the parent unless overridden per item.

Adding filter items

Filter Posts does not create filters by itself. With the block selected:

1. Click + inside the Filter Posts block.
2. Add a Filter Posts Item for each field (category, search, price, etc.).
3. Configure each item’s source and control type in its own sidebar.

See Filter Posts Item and Common filter setups.

Wiring to Archive Loop

On a standard page:

1. One Filter Posts block + one Archive Loop marked Main loop
2. Same Post type on both
3. Filters apply automatically

For multiple loops or panels, set matching Block selector ID values. See Filter panel and loop.

What's next

• Filter Posts Item block — Configure individual filter fields
• URL sync and shareable filters — Bookmarkable filter state
• Common filter setups — Category, search, price recipes