ACF + Gutenberg: How to Render Dynamic Data Without PHP (Or Page Builders)

If you build professional websites with WordPress, you likely rely on Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to structure your data. It is the gold standard for custom content.

But bridging the gap between ACF and the Gutenberg Block Editor has always been a friction point.

For years, developers have been stuck between a rock and a hard place:

1. The “Hard” Way: Write custom PHP code in single.php or create custom blocks (which slows down development).
2. The “Bloated” Way: Install heavy page builders like Elementor just to drag-and-drop a dynamic field (which slows down the website).

At AgilePress, we refuse to compromise on speed or workflow. That is why we built our own solution.

Meet AgilePress Content Block for ACF.

The Missing Link Between ACF and Gutenberg

We developed this tool to scratch our own itch. We wanted full control over the layout without touching theme files and without loading a 5MB page builder.

AgilePress Content Block allows you to render any ACF data directly inside a native Gutenberg block using simple HTML logic.

Here is why this micro-plugin is a game-changer for minimalist development.

1. Simplicity: Stop Writing get_field()

The main advantage of this plugin is speed of execution. You no longer need to edit template files just to show a phone number, a job title, or a custom date.

You simply add the block in the editor and type your HTML template using intuitive tags:

• For simple text: Just use {field_name}.
• For groups: Use {group:subfield}.

It’s that easy. The plugin parses these tags and displays the real data on the frontend with zero performance penalty.

2. Versatility: Mastering Repeaters and Galleries

The biggest pain point for many ACF users is displaying Repeater Fields or Image Galleries without code. Writing a PHP foreach loop inside a block pattern is tedious and error-prone.

We solved this with a logic system built right into the block. You can loop through rows of data using double curly braces:

HTML

<div class="team-grid">
  {{team_members}}
    <div class="card">
       <h3>{name}</h3>
       <p>{position}</p>
    </div>
  {{/team_members}}
</div>

This simple snippet replaces dozens of lines of PHP code. It works perfectly for:

• Team member lists
• Product features
• Event schedules
• Image sliders and galleries

3. Full Control (Zero <div> Soup)

Unlike other “dynamic field” blocks that force you into a specific layout or wrap your content in unnecessary containers (aka “div soup”), AgilePress gives you 100% control.

You write the HTML. You add your own CSS classes. You decide the structure.

This makes it incredibly versatile. You can use it to build a hero section, a metadata sidebar, or a complex grid layout, knowing exactly what markup will be rendered on the final page. It is clean code, generated from the editor.

How to Get Started

We believe in open source. The plugin is completely free and available on the WordPress repository.

1. Install “AgilePress Content Block for ACF”.
2. Add the block to your post or page.
3. Write your HTML template in the settings panel.
4. Publish and enjoy dynamic content without the headache.

Ready to streamline your workflow?

👉 Download AgilePress Content Block for ACF